The Honorable Arnold A. Saltzman, industrialist and United States ambassador under five presidents with diplomatic assignments in the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, South America, Central America, and Vienna, is the recipient of the Order of Honor from Georgia, an independent state formed in 1990 following the rupture of the former USSR. A resident of Sands Point, Ambassador Saltzman has served the United States in a wide range of policy-level, diplomatic, and economic assignments, receiving a Presidential Commendation for his efforts on the International Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Ambassador Tedo Japaridze, the National Security Advisor to Georgia's President Eduard Shevardnadze, was joined by Georgia's United Nations Ambassador Revaz Adamia in presenting Saltzman with the Order of Honor, the highest decoration bestowed by Georgia to dignitaries outside its boundaries. The decree reads:

In recognition of his notable personal contribution to the implementation of international aid programs, his active support of Georgia's interest and generous charity work, Chairman of Windsor Production Corporation Arnold A. Saltzman is hereby awarded the Order of Honor.

Saltzman officially designated "Advisor to Presidents of Republics of the former Soviet Union" has been advisor to Shevardnadze since Georgia gained its independence and since Shevardnadze was elected president in 1995. Saltzman has had diplomatic contact with the Soviet Union since 1967 and has acted as an "honest broker" since the breakup of the USSR in 1985 to promote a more cordial relationship between the US, the USSR, and several of its Republics. In addition to other matters, he has advised on that region's advantages to entering a market-oriented economy.

"My sincere gratitude is extended to President Shevardnadze and to Georgia for this great honor," said Saltzman in accepting the decoration. "I thank advisor Japaridze and Ambassador Adamia for their presentation on behalf of the president. Here in the United States, we are deeply sympathetic and most concerned by the difficulties enveloping Georgia in struggles stemming from the backwash of the Chechnya-Russian border problem."

Calling Georgia a "small, peace-loving country," Saltzman added: "It is difficult to create a stable economy and optimistic society in the face of such pressures. We are all confronting violence in the world. Hopefully, Georgia and the United States will come through these trying times together and with a brighter future."

Since leaving active assignment as diplomatic envoy and retiring as CEO of Vista Resources, Saltzman has concentrated on his role as chairman of the Windsor Production Corporation (New York). Saltzman is active with several charitable corporations, including membership on the Board of Trustees of North Shore University Hospital, Hofstra University, Nassau County Museum of Art, and the Columbia University School of International Affairs Board, among others.