His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, visited government institutions in Washington DC and met with senior officials of the United States' government on the second day of his official visit to Washington DC.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince visited the Pentagon where he was greeted by Admiral James A Winnefeld Jr, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States Armed Forces, and senior officials of the United States Armed Forces.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the military relations between Brunei Darussalam and the United States and discussed ways to enhance this relationship, the press release stated. Among the issues discussed were cooperation in military education and training. At the moment, there are a few Bruneian students studying in the United States' military academies under the scholarship of the Ministry of Defence.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince then toured the Pentagon.

At the Pentagon, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also had a meeting with Mr William J Lynn III, Deputy Secretary of Defense, to discuss bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and the United States, particularly regarding cooperation in defence, and exchanged views on regional and international matters.

According to the press release, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince then went to the Department of Homeland Security to meet with Ms Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, to discuss bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and the United States, particularly regarding cooperation in security and disaster management.

Accompanying His Royal Highness the Crown Prince were Prince Abdul Qawi, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awang Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, and Dato Paduka Haji Yusoff bin Haji Abdul Hamid, Brunei Darussalam's Ambassador to the United States, the press release stated. - Borneo Bulletin (21st September 2011)