Interpreters - 2006

  The recipient of the 12th annual Department of State Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award is a contractor team of four high-level interpreters who made a unique and valued contribution in support of our mission in Baghdad.  The award will be presented on October 19, 2006 to Mr. Pierre Boutros, Mr. Andre Codouni, Dr. Galal El-Nahal, and Dr. Ahmed Ferhadi.

Ambassador Patrick F. Kennedy, who was Chief of Staff for the Coalition Provisional Authority, cited the contractors for serving with distinction and for providing high quality interpreting and translating support to Ambassadors Paul Bremer, John Negroponte, and Zalmay Khalilzad.  The contractors traveled with the Ambassadors to remote locations despite an extraordinarily dangerous security situation, provided simultaneous interpreting support for a wide variety of meetings including the critical early sessions of the Iraqi Governing Council, and interpreted the ambassadors' remarks at press conferences.  The high visibility of these events greatly increased the personal threat to these contractors and made it even more dangerous and difficult for them to venture outside the secure compound.

The Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award, sponsored by the Assistant Secretary for Administration, gives recognition to small business contractors who have displayed exemplary performance, customer service, management and technical capabilities.