Merle D. Hart, the new Commander of the NATO headquarters was named at today’s official ceremony at Camp Butmir in Sarajevo. He is a member of the Air Force of the US, and he took over this post from Brigadier General Walter T. Lord.
During the ceremony, Hart said that it was a great honor to be chosen for this post, and added that he values the opportunity to help BiH to move forward.
He said that during his mandate he would focus on resolving the issue of military property.
“We will provide assistance in resolving the issue of surplus ammunition and weapons, as well as the reform of the logistics sector and procurement’’, said Hart.
During 1993-1994, Hart worked in BiH on delivering food and humanitarian aid in night flights and with the supply of French troops to Sarajevo.
Outgoing Commander Lord, in his farewell speech, said that the relationship between NATO and EUFOR in Sarajevo significantly increased in the past year, and added that during his mandate he cooperated with high civil and military officials from BiH, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Defense and BiH Armed Forces.
“We all worked together to help BiH face difficult challenges on its path towards Euro Atlantic integration. We have achieved a small victory, but big challenges remain ahead’’, added Lord, and expressing hope that huge challenges in the next period could be established.
The new Commander of NATO in Sarajevo Brigadier General hart has a 40-year long military career and experience in the private sector. He is a pilot who participated in almost all operations of the US in the last two decades.
Today’s handover ceremony at NATO headquarters in Sarajevo was attended by members of the diplomatic, military and religious corps in BiH, international officials from the political and public life of BiH, among which was member of the BIH Presidency Željko Komšić and President of the FBiH Živko Budimir.
(Source: Fena)
