CROATIAN DIPLOMAT ZUZUL GIVEN 'DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER" AWARD

WASHINGTON/HONG KONG, Nov 11 (Hina) - During a ceremony held in Hong Kong on Friday evening, awards were bestowed on winners of this year's "Dwight D. Eisenhower" award, including a former Croatian Ambassador to the United States, Miomir Zuzul. An international organisation called "People to People", established in 1956 by the then U.S President Dwight D. Eisenhower, decides on whom this award will be given every year. According to the citation, this award is given to persons who show their commitment to the cause of the friendship in the world and international understanding and who give considerable contribution to the progress of the humanity. The highest award - Eisenhower's medal - was conferred on South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Besides Zuzul, the award for the dedicated service in diplomacy was presented to the last U.S. Ambassador in Czechoslovakia, Julian Niemceck. At the ceremony, Eisenhower's granddaughter Mary Eisenhower handed the awards to winners. "People to People", active in over 100 million countries all over the world, has several million members. This organisation has its branch in Croatia as well. Its objectives are to promote peace, understanding and friendship among people. The organisation's honorary president is the U.S President Bill Clinton. Some of famous award-winners are Ronald Reagan, Mother Theresa, Yitzhak Rabin, Anwar el Sadat, Arpad Goencz and Neil Armstrong. (hina) ms