Georgian Armed Forces R

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საქართველოს შეიარაღებული ძალები
Georgian Armed Forces
Ministry of Defence – General Staff – Army Staff

(Tavdacvis Saministro – generalnuri stabi – gaer Tianebuli Stabi)
Land Forces – Navy – Air Force – National Guard

saxmeleTo jarchis – sazRvao Zalebi – sahaero Zalebi – erovnuli gvardii
Roundel of Aircrafts
from English and Georgian Wikipedia, and from Georgian official sites
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Georgian Armed Forces

from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia (“Military of Georgia”)
The Georgian Armed Forces (Georgian: საქართველოს შეიარაღებული ძალები), ძალები is the name of the unified armed forces of
Georgia. The Georgian military is a defence force consisting of an Georgia Ground Force, Georgian Navy, Georgian Air Force and a
paramilitary organization Georgian National Guard. The national defence policy aims which are based on based on the Constitution
of Georgia are to guarantee the preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the state and the integrity of its land area,
territorial waters and airspace and its constitutional order. The armed forces of Georgia are performed under the authority of the
Georgian Ministry of Defence. Strenght: 32,000 active personnel, 25,000 reserve personnel. Conscription 18 months (18-35 years
old). Military expenditures $780 mln (2007) [1] , 7,2% of GNP (2007). Foreign suppliers United States, Poland, Germany, Czech
Republic, Ukraine, Turkey, Israel. Current Defence Minister: Davit Kezerashvili.
History
The GAF were established in the early 1990s from former Soviet Army units on Georgian soil, irregular militias, and Georgian
personnel returning from other posts within the former Soviet Armed Forces. On March 23, 1994, Georgia was one of the first former
Soviet Republics to join the Partnership for Peace. Among the Partners Georgia was the first country who could submit the special
documentation (May 2004) and on October 29, 2004 the North Atlantic Council approved the first Individual Partnership Action Plan
(IPAP) for Georgia. If the IPAP is successful, Georgia will have good opportunity to accede to the Membership Action Plan (MAP).
The Georgia Train and Equip Program (GTEP) training was conducted using U.S. Special Operations Forces and U. S. Marine Corps
forces from May 2002 to May 2004. During this time approximately 2,600 Georgian soldiers, including a headquarters staff element
and 5 tactical units, received training. Another assistance program, the Georgia Security and Stability Operations Program (Georgia
SSOP), was launched in January 2005 as a continuation of the (GTEP) of 2002-2004. Georgian contingents were involved in the
Kosovo Force and continue to participate in the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The GAF have been extensively reformed in the
recent years to meet Georgia’s aspirations to join NATO and for better response to the existing challenges such as the ongoing
tensions in the unresolved separatist conflict areas in Abkhazia and South Ossetia as well as to the threats of global terrorism.
Georgia also views a large-scale foreign invasion and the spillover of conflicts from Russia’s North Caucasus as the worst potential
near- and long-term scenarios, respectively.[2] On August 8, 2008 the Georgian military started a military operation in South Ossetia
(see 2008 South Ossetia War), a disputed region within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia. Subsequently Russian
military forces crossed into Georgia in order to 'defend Russian citizens'. In response Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili announced
the mobilization of reserve forces to resist the Russian invasion. The military budget of Georgia increased more than 50 times over
the period from 2002 (US$ 18 mln.) to 2007 (US$ 780 mln.), reaching over 7% of Georgia's GDP.
Structure and subdivisions
The GAF consists of:

• Georgian Land Forces
• Georgian Air Force
• Georgian Navy
• Georgian Special Forces (1 Brigade)
• Georgian National Guard
The current authorized strength of the GAF structures is 32,650 personnel, including 18,993 in the Land Forces, 2,091 in the Air
Force, 1350 in the Navy, 9,196 in administration staff and central structures. The Georgian Parliament aims to increase the strength
of the ground forces. At the end of 2010 the GAF will consist of 75.000 men;forming 5th and 6th brigades. Reserves will be total
120.000 men. The Land Forces form the largest component of the GAF responsible for providing land defense against any threat to
the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, supporting Border Police in border protection and civil authorities in counter-
terrorist operations as well as providing units for NATO-led and coalition operations abroad. They are organized into infantry
brigades, artillery and other supporting capacities operating at a battalion level.[3] The Air Force consists of aviation and air defense
assets and provides security to Georgia’s airspace, while the Georgian Navy protects Georgia’s territorial waters and contributes to
the collective maritime defense in the Black Sea region. The Special Force Brigade is responsible for conducting reconnaissance,
unconventional warfare, and counter-terrorism operations. The Georgian National Guard organizes trains reservists in the peacetime
and mobilizes them during a crisis or wartime.[3]
Georgian Land Force
Consists of the following units[citation needed]:

• 1st Infantry Brigade, located in Gori
• 2nd Infantry Brigade, located in Senaki
• 3rd Infantry Brigade, located in Kutaisi
• 4th Infantry Brigade, located in Vaziani
• 5th Infantry Brigade, located in Khelvachauri[citation needed] (temporary distribution place) and Khoni
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• Artillery Brigade, located in Gori and Khoni

• Military Engineering Brigade, located in Gori
• Separate Light Infantry Battalion, located in Adlia (2 Bns Poti and Bakumi according the Strategic Def Review 2007)
• Separate Tank Battalion, located in Gori
• Separate Air Defense Battalion, located in Kutaisi
• Communication Battalion, located in Saguramo
• Technical Reconnaissance Battalion, located in Kobuleti
• Military Police Battalion, located in Tbilisi
• Medical Battalion, located in Saguramo
The strength of Land Forces is 26,739[citation needed]from which 2,215 are officers, 24,508 NCOs (contracting) and 16 civilians[citation
needed]
. Does not reflect casualties incurred during the 2008 South Ossetia War. According the Strategic Defense Review of 2007 the
total strenght was of 28.666 (16.993 Land Forces, 1.791 Air Force, 686 Navy, 9.196 Administrative Staff).
Infantry Brigade structure (3.265) according the Strategic Defense Review 2007
• HQ (60)
• 3 Light Infantry Battalions (591 each)
• 1 Mixed Armor Bn (2 Mech – 1 tk Cies: 380)
• 1 Artillery Bn (371)
• 1 Logistics Bn (288)
• 1 HHC (108)
• 1 Recce Coy (101)
• 1 Engineer Coy (96)
• 1 Signal Coy (88)
Equipment
Assault Rifles and Carbines Main Battle Tank

• AKM/AKMS • T-72B and T-72 SIM-1 (System Improvements and
• AK-74 Modernization-1)
• AKS-74U Tracked Amoured Vehicle
• M4A3 (Bushmaster) - 4,000[4] • MT-LB
• G36K - Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs special • BMP-1U
units • BMP-2
• Tavor TAR-21 - Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs Wheeled APC
special units • BTR-80
Machine Guns • BTR-70ID
• PK machine gun • Otokar Cobra
• NSV • HMMWV
• Mk 19 Mod 3 MLRS
Sniper Rifles • RM-70
• SVD rifle • BM-21
• M24 Sniper Weapon System • LAR-160
• Zastava M93 Black Arrow - 12.7mm heavy, bolt-action Self-Propelled Artillery
sniper rifle • 2S3 Akatsiya
• Barrett M82A1 - 20 purchased in Israel[5] • 2S7 Pion
Mortars • 152mm SpGH DANA
• 2B11 120mm • 2S5 Giatsint-S
• M-38/43 120mm • 2S19 Msta
• M75 120mm Towed Artillery
• D-30
• 152 mm gun 2A36
T-12 antitank gun
Georgian Air Force Main articles: Georgian Air Force, Military equipment of the Georgian Air Force, and 2008 Georgian spy
plane shootdowns
The Georgian Air Force is made up by the air force and the air defense component. The air force is responsible over the control and
air defense of the Georgian air space; conducting air intelligence and surveillance; providing support to the ground forces other
services; conducting air evacuation and searching and rescuing operations; air movements of personnel and military cargo
transportation.[6] The two major airfields are located near Tbilisi at Alekseevka and Marneuli. The Georgian Air Force is currently
undergoing a process of modernization with the help of Georgia’s NATO partners, specifically the United States and Turkey.
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Georgian Naval Force Main articles: Georgian Navy and Military equipment of the Georgian Navy
The Georgian Navy is responsible for maintenance of the sovereignty of the country and for protection of internal territorial waters
and economic zones. The headquarters and a principal naval base are located at the Black Sea port of Poti. The other, smaller naval
base is in Batumi. Besides the naval force, the navy also includes a Special Counter-terrorist Detachment force. Georgia is also one
of the founding members and a participant of the Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group.
National Guard of Georgia Main article: National Guard of Georgia

Georgian National Guard was established on December 20, 1990 and was manned by volunteers. It represents the first Georgian
armed formation, which became the base of the foundation for modern Georgian Armed Forces. The Guard actively participated in
the conflicts existed on the Georgian territory (Samachablo, Abkhazia). The National Guard consists of 20 554 personnel; the main
missions of National Guard are:
1. Support civil government in crisis situations (natural, technological, ecological);
2. Register mobilization recourses, study and deliver;
3. Convene, select and man of citizens on the basis of the agreement, for the units, subunits and bases of the Armed Forces;
4. Provide ceremony activities.
Participation of Georgia in international peacekeeping missions
Georgian Armed Forces have been participating in peacekeeping missions (the Balkans, Persian Gulf) since 1999. Units participating
in peacekeeping missions are manned by professional soldiers, the duration of the mission is six months and participation is
voluntary. The readiness assessment criteria are, as follows: health condition, physical fitness, professional skills and experience.
About 200 Georgian troops were deployed in the Kosovo (KFOR) in 1999-2008, 70 were deployed in Iraq (OIF) in 2003 and 50 in
Afghanistan in 2004 (ISAF). From 2004 in Iraq were 300 Georgian troops. From 2005 approximately 850 troops were serving under
Coalition Command (OIF and UNAMI). On July 2007 Georgia sent an extra 1,400 troops to Iraq; that brought the total number of
troops in Iraq to 2,000 (Inf. Bde). On August 8th, 2008 Georgia announced it will withdraw 1,000 troops from Iraq due to rising
hostilities with Russia. Their preparedness and training skills are evaluated on high level by international experts. Hence, owing to
participation in international peacekeeping missions the military members are able to obtain practical experience and to show
readiness to cooperate with NATO and with other partner countries' forces.
References
1. ^ Increase in the Defense Budget - 2008, http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=18784
2. ^ The Strategic Defense Review (2007), p. 77.
3. ^ a b The Strategic Defense Review (2007), p. 74.
4. ^ United Nations Register of Conventional Arms
6. ^ http://www.mod.gov.ge/i.php?l=E&m=5&sm=7 Georgian Ministry of Defence
7. ^ Georgia: Military flags, 2004
• Ministry of Defense of Georgia: The Strategic Defence Review 2007. mod.gov.ge. Accessed on May 7, 2008.
• This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public
domain., 2005
• This article contains material from the U.S. Department of State's Background Notes which, as a US government
publication, is in the public domain., 2005
• GlobalSecurity.org on Georgia’s military
Further reading
• Richard Woff, 'The Armed Forces of Georgia', Jane's Intelligence Review, July 1993
External links
• Georgia Ministry of Defence website
• Conscription in Georgia
• Georgian Armed Forces Network
• Georgian troops trained by US army and SAS veterans
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Military of Georgia
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Omega Special Task Force

განსაკუთრებული დანიშნულების
დანიშნულების ქვედანაყოფი "ომეგა
ომეგა"
ომეგა
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Special Task Force "Omega" (Georgian: განსაკუთრებული დანიშნულების ქვედანაყოფი "ომეგა") was a Georgian
élite Special Forces unit, the first such formation in the country, active from 1993 to 1995. The Omega unit was formed 1993 under
the supervision of Georgia’s Information-Analytical and Reconnaissance Bureau, a successor to the Georgian branch of the former
Soviet KGB (Committee for State Security), chaired by Irakli Batiashvili. The unit specialized principally in counter-terrorism and
anti-smuggling missions. Its leading officers were trained in the United States which also provided some of the group’s special
armaments. The Omega force was subordinated to the Georgian Ministry of State Security and was responsible for over 200 special
operations – most of them successful – within the period of 1993-1995. After the major reshuffle in Georgia’s military leadership
following the Georgian civil war and the government’s temporary reorientation to Russia, the Omega group fell in disfavor,
especially under the Security Minister Igor Giorgadze, who gave preference to the Russian-trained special forces unit Alfa. The
Omega leadership was perceived to have been disloyal to the government. In September 1995, several of the Omega officers were
accused of having been involved in the August 29, 1995 assassination attempt of Eduard Shevardnadze, Georgia’s head of state. The
unit was ordered to be subordinated personally to the head of state and was virtually dissolved. Its commander, Nikoloz Kvezereli,
was arrested and charged with organization of the attack on Shevardnadze.[1] The court, however, did not find him guilty and
sentenced him seven years’ imprisonment for the alleged abuse of office. Later, several other Omega officers were also arrested, and
some of them were found dead in suspicious circumstances.[2] Kvezereli was later pardoned and released. He was a member of the
Parliament of Georgia from 1999 to 2008. General Zaza Gogava, a Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Georgia from 2006 to
2008, also served in the Omega group.
References
1. ^ Georgia: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2000. United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy,
Human Rights, and Labor. February 23, 2001. Retrieved on 2008-05-31.
2. ^ Darchiashvili, David et al (March 1999). The Army and Society in Georgia. Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy
and Development. Retrieved on 2008-05-31.
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Georgian Ministers of Defence

• Irakli Okruashvili December 2004 – November 10, 2006 (former Prosecutor General of Georgia from Nov 2003 to May
2004, then Minister of Interior, may-dec. 2004. Later a single-week Minister of Economic Development, 10-17 Nov 2006)
• Davit Kezerashvili November 10, 2006 – December 5, 2008
• Vasil Sikharulidze December 5, 2008
Irakli Okruashvili (2004-06)

(Georgian: ირაკლი ოქრუაშვილი) (born 6 November 1973) is a Georgian politician who had served on various important posts in
the Government of Georgia under President Mikheil Saakashvili, including being the Minister of Defense from December 2004 until
being dismissed in November 2006. In September 2007, he announced the creation of his oppositional party Movement for United
Georgia. On September 27, 2007, Okruashvili was arrested at his party headquarters on the charges of corruption, money laundering,
and abuse of office.[1] In 2007 he left Georgia and was granted political asylum in France.
Political career
Irakli Okruashvili was born in Tskhinvali, South Ossetian AO, Georgian SSR. He graduated from Faculty of International Law and
Relations at Tbilisi State University. He then worked as an attorney.
In government
Okruashvili served as the Deputy Minister of Justice from 2000 to 2001. He joined Mikhail Saakashvili's United National Movement
and was elected as a member of Tbilisi Assembly (Sakrebulo) in 2002. After the Rose Revolution, Okruashvili was appointed the
Person Authorized (governor) of the President of Georgia in Shida Kartli (to which breakaway South Ossetia is a de jure part) in
November 2003 and established strong anti-corruption and anti-smuggling measures in the region. He served as the Prosecutor
General from January 2004 until Saakashvili appointed him Interior Minister in June 2004 and moved him to the post of Defence
Minister in December 2004. During his tenure as defence minister, Okruashvili was known for advocating military actions against
the separatists in South Ossetia.[2] On October 16, the Russian newspaper Versiya published an interview with Okruashvili.
Okruashvili said Russia "would lose if the quarrel between the two countries escalates into a shooting war".[3] The next day the
Georgian Ministry of Defense denied that Okruashvili had participated in the interview.[4] In response, the Russian newspaper
asserted that the interview took place and the audio recording of the conversation between the reporter Ruslan Gorevoy and
Okruashvili was available.[4] A short scandal followed to Okruashvili stating "even if you export – excuse me for this expression –
feces to Russia it can be sold there” upon Russian ban of Georgian wine.[1] Okruashvili said on May 1 that he would resign if
Georgia failed to restore control over breakaway South Ossetian by January 1, 2007.[2] On November 10, 2006 Saakashvili
appointed him Minister for Economic Development. Davit Kezerashvili became the Minister of Defence.[5]. Okruashvili resigned as
Minister for Economic Development on 17 November 2006.[6]
In opposition
On September 25, 2007, he announced the formation of the new opposition Movement for United Georgia and unleashed criticism on
President Saakashvili, accusing him of corruption, incompetency and human rights violations. He also raised new concerns around
Zurab Zhvania's death, challenging the official investigation point of view [7] and personally accused the Georgian president in
planning the murder of businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili. [8][9] Speculations about Okruashvili's planned party had been circulating
for a long time already and many commentators expected, what they called, “a war of compromising materials” in case of
Okruashvili’s political comeback. The presentation was preceded by the controversies over financial irregularities surrounding the
party's new office and the arrest of Mikheil Kareli, Orkuashvili's close associate and governor of Shida Kartli, on the charges of
corruption.[10]
Arrest and emigration
On September 27, 2007, Okruashvili was detained on charges of extortion, money laundering, and abuse of office while Georgia's
defense minister.[11] On September 28, 2007, several opposition parties organized a peaceful mass rally in Okruashvili's support at the
Parliament of Georgia.[12] On October 8, 2007, in a video taped confession released by the General Prosecutor's Office, Okruashvili
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pleaded guilty to large-scale bribery through extortion and negligence while serving as minister and retracted his accusations against
the president, winning release on bail of 10 million Georgian lari. He also said that his earlier accusations levelled against Saakashvili
were not true and were aimed at gaining political dividends for himself and Badri Patarkatsishvili and at discrediting the President of
Georgia. Some opposition leaders said Okruashvili's statement had been made under duress.[13][14] Okruashvili declared, however,
that he had decided to cooperate with the investigation in order to "mitigate [his] situation".[15] After he pledged guilty, Okruashvili
was released on US$6 million bond and left Georgia because of health issues.[16] On November 5, 2007, Okruashvili made a surprise
appearance on Imedi TV claiming that he was forced to retract accusations against President Saakashvili while being in jail.[17] A
Georgian prosecuting officer, however, has rejected Okruashvili's allegations, while the senior members of the Parliament of Georgia
for the ruling party have described him "an instrument in the hands of Patarkatsishvili", a Georgian tycoon who finances the
opposition rallies against the Georgian government.[18] On November 14, following a Prosecutor’s Office request, a court in Tbilisi
ruled that Okruashvili be returned to police custody pending investigation.[19] He remained abroad, however. In December 2007, he
was arrested in Germany at the request of Georgia, but was later transferred to France where a court ruled that he be freed on bail
with Georgia's extradition request to be examined on April 16, 2008. In the meantime, a Georgian court found him guilty of "large-
scale extortion" and sentenced him to 11 years in prison in absentia on March 28, 2008.[20] On April 23, 2008 he was granted political
asylum. [21] In September 2008 Reuters reported Okruashvili had said that Saakashvili had long planned the 2008 South Ossetia war
but had executed it poorly. While defence minister from 2004 to 2006 he and Saakashvili worked together on military plans to invade
South Ossetia and Abkhazia, saying "Abkhazia was our strategic priority, but we drew up military plans in 2005 for taking both
Abkhazia and South Ossetia as well".[2]
See also
• 2007 Georgian demonstrations
• Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Irakli Okruashvili
References
1. ^ Okruashvili Arrested. Civil Georgia. 2007-09-27.
2. ^ a b Brian Rohan (September 14, 2008), Saakashvili "planned S. Ossetia invasion" : ex-minister, Reuters,
http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSLD12378020080914, retrieved on 14 September 2008
3. ^ General: Russia wants no war with Georgia The Washington Times
4. ^ a b MoD Denies Okruashvili's Russian Paper Interview Civil Georgia
5. ^ Georgian President Replaces Defense Minister VOA News
6. ^ Georgia: Former Defense Minister Submits "Shock" Resignation EurasiaNet
7. ^ Okruashvili Ups Ante on Former Allies - The Georgian Times
8. ^ Praise, Scorn For Accusations Against Georgia President
9. ^ Georgia's Ex-Minister Assails President - Forbes, Associated Press
10. ^ Okruashvili Breaks Silence by Lashing Out at Saakashvili. Civil Georgia. 2007-09-25.
11. ^ Former Defense Minister Detained In Georgia. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. September 27, 2007.
12. ^ Opposition Vows More Protests. Civil Georgia. 2007-09-28.
13. ^ Okruashvili May Be Freed on Bail after Pleading Guilty. Civil Georgia, 2007-10-08.
14. ^ Court sets Georgia's former defense minister free on bail. International Herald Tribune. October 8, 2007.
15. ^ Okruashvili Hopes Guilty Plea will ‘Mitigate Situation’. Civil Georgia, 2007-10-08.
16. ^ Thousands Rally Against Pro-Western President of Georgia - Washington Post
17. ^ Sidelined Okruashvili Back into Play. Civil Georgia. 2007-11-06.
18. ^ Ruling Party Targets Tycoon in Drive to Confront Opposition. Civil Georgia. 2007-11-06.
19. ^ Court Order for Okruashvili's Detention. Civil Georgia. 2007-11-14.
20. ^ Okruashvili Jailed for 11 Years in Absentia, Barred from Polls. Civil Georgia. 2008-03-28.
21. ^ France Grants Asylum to Okruashvili. Civil Georgia. April 23, 2008.
Davit Kezerashvili (2006-2008)

(Georgian: დავით კეზერაშვილი) (born September 22, 1978) is a Georgian politician, who from November 10, 2006 to December
5, 2008 was the country's Minister of Defence. Kezerashvili was born in Tbilisi.[1] After migrating to Russia, he went to Israel in
1992, where he lived with his grandmother in the Kiryat Ben-Gurion neighborhood of Holon and attended high school. After a year
and a half, he left Israel and returned to Georgia. He studied law and international relations at Tbilisi State University.[2] After
working in the Justice Ministry he became an assistant to Mikheil Saakashvili, then the Minister for Justice. Kezerashvili then
worked in the Finance Ministry from 2004 until November 2006, including a role as chair of the financial police force. On November
11, 2006, he was appointed as Georgian Defense Minister, replacing Irakli Okruashvili. Was dismissed from this post amid criticisms
over the Georgia-Russia war on December 5, 2008.[3]
Political track record
Kezerashvili is a founding member of the liberal United National Movement, and contested an election in 2002 under their banner.[4]
He is also a close personal ally of the party's leader, Georgian President Saakashvili.[5] Shalva Natelashvili of the Georgian Labour
Party criticized Kezerashvili's appointment, arguing that he "has never served in the army... doesn't even have the title of sergeant and
has no clue about the armed forces."[6] As chief of the financial police, Kezerashvili received criticism for heavy-handed tactics in
raiding businesses.[7] Kezerashvili was dismissed from his post of the defence minister on December 5, 2008 during a major cabinet
shuffle. His dismissal has been expected in the aftermath of Georgia's defeat in the 2008 South Ossetia War.[8] Davit Kezerashvili is
succeeded by former ambassador to the US, Vasil Sikharulidze. In December 2008, Sozar Subari, Public Defender (Ombudsman) of
Georgia, claimed he had evidence that then Georgia's Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili had ordered police to beat protesters,
"mainly in the kidneys and the stomach."[9] In his testimony before Georgian Parliament, Subari claimed that he possessed evidence
that Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili, Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili and Davit Akhalaia (who had no official office then)
had had a secret meeting at the office of Interior Ministry on November 4, 2007 where they had decided on the course of action for
handling the demonstrations: "The interior minister ordered that the demonstrators be hit mainly in the kidneys and the stomach, or in
the face only when necessary. The interior minister also said at the meeting that not a single participant in the action must escape
unbeaten in order to teach them a lesson for the future."[10][11]
9
Notes
1. ^ http://www.government.gov.ge/eng/mtavroba1172497171.php
2. ^ Itar-TASS (13 Nov 2006), Territorial unity remains key goal of Georgia-new defense minister
3. ^ More Cabinet Shake-Ups in Georgia. New York Times. December 5, 2008.
4. ^ UNA Georgia information service (accessed 15 November 2005) Saakashvili-National movement bloc
5. ^ Civil Georgia, Anjaparidze, Zaal (November 2006) Irakli Okruashvili proves that one's as good as none in politics
6. ^ Black Sea Press (15 November 2006), Georgian Messenger
7. ^ Civil Georgia (17 June 2005)Financial Police Grilled by MPs over High-Handed Tactics
8. ^ "Georgian defense, foreign ministers fired". The Associated Press (2008-12-06). Retrieved on 2008-12-09.
9. ^ [1] Sozar Subari Spoke about ‘The Last Supper’ of Merabishvili-Kezerashvili-Akhalaia-Adeishvili
10. ^ [2] Sozar Subari Spoke about ‘The Last Supper’ of Merabishvili-Kezerashvili-Akhalaia-Adeishvili
11. ^ [3] Georgia minister ordered beating of demonstrators - ombudsman
Vasil Sikharulidze (2008-)

(Georgian: ვასილ სიხარულიძე) (born May 30, 1968) is a Georgian diplomat and politician, serving as the country’s Minister of
Defense since December 9, 2008.[1] Born in Tbilisi, then-Soviet Georgia, Sikharulidze graduated from Tbilisi State Medical
University in 1993 and practiced psychiatry from 1993 to 1995. After a brief tenure as an Executive Director of the Atlantic Council
of Georgia, an umbrella organization that brings together Georgian NGOs working on Euro-Atlantic integration issues, Sikharulidze
worked for the Parliament of Georgia as a leading specialist on defense and security issues from 1996 to 2000. He headed the NATO
division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia from 2000 to 2002 and served as a deputy head of the Georgian Mission of
NATO in Brussels. He worked for the National Security Council of Georgia in 2004 and served as a Deputy Minister of Defense in
the years 2005-2006.[2] In March 2006, Sikharulidze was appointed the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to
the United States, Canada and Mexico. He was recalled in December 2008 to replace, as the Minister of Defense of Georgia, Davit
Kezerashvili, whose conduct during the August 2008 war with Russia had been criticized by the opposition.
References
1. ^ More Changes in Cabinet. Civil Georgia. 2008-12-09
2. ^ Minister of Defence of Georgia Vasil Sikharulidze. Ministry of Defence of Georgia. Retrieved on 2008-12-16
Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tbilisi. - Georgian soldiers on a parade in Iraq (26 May 2006)
კახა კაციტაძე ...presa.ge

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Georgian BTR-80s. - Georgian 152mm SpGH DANA|VZ 77 Dana
The U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Tefft addresses the Georgian graduates of the SSOP II Program. June 17, 2007
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•
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Ministry of Defence – General Staff – Army Staff

(Tavdacvis Saministro – generalnuri stabi – gaer Tianebuli Stabi)
erovnuli uSiSroebis sabWo - saxelmwifo uSiSroeba
qvedanayofi "alfa", qvedanayofi "delta", qvedanayofi "omega" (2007)
Foreign Intelligence department

sagareo dazvervis departamenti
sagareo dazvervis specialuri samsaxuris 2008 © Jens Pattke
Land Forces – Navy – Air Force – National Guard

saxmeleTo jarchis – sazRvao Zalebi – sahaero Zalebi – erovnuli gvardii
http://www.militaria.ge/heraldika/gerbebi/saxmeleto_zalebi/saxmeleto_zalebi.htm
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ge%5Emil.html#bat © Jaume Ollé & Graham Bartram
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National Defense Academy

(Tavdacvis erovnuli akademia)
2007 2003 2004
NCO’s School
(serJantTa momzadebis skola)
Ground Units
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Brigade
13th SF battalion – Commandos Battalion - National Training Center "krwanisi", 2007
http://www.militaria.ge/heraldika/gerbebi/saxmeleto_zalebi/saxmeleto_zalebi.htm
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GEORGIAN ORDERS AND DECORATIONS

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Georgian Navy
საქართველოს სამხედრო საზღვაო ძალები
sak'art'velos samkhedro-sazghvao dzalebi
Former Flags of the Georgian Navy 1997-2004
© Jaume Ollé & Graham Bartram © Eugene Ipavec & Željko Heimer
The Georgian Navy (Georgian Naval Forces; Georgian: საქართველოს სამხედრო საზღვაო ძალები, sak'art'velos samkhedro-
sazghvao dzalebi) is a branch of the Georgian Defense Ministry armed forces. It is responsible for the security of the entire coastline
of Georgia, 310 km, as well as the Georgian territorial waters. The headquarters and a principal naval base are located at the Black
Sea port of Poti. The other, smaller naval base is in Batumi, Adjara. Besides the Poti-based naval force, the Georgian navy also
includes a Special Counter-terrorist Detachment. Before the 2008 South Ossetia war, the Georgian Navy consisted of 19 boats and
531 personnel of which 181 are officers, 200 NCOs, 114 conscripts and 36 civilians.[1] The current commander is Captain Besik
Shengelia.
History
Despite Georgia's location at the Black Sea coast and historical association with maritime commerce, it has never actually possessed
any sizable fleet. The first attempt to build a modern navy dates to the country's short-lived independence as the Democratic Republic
of Georgia from 1918 to 1921. The Georgian navy at that time consisted of a flagship, several sailing-boats, and a few tugs
commandeered from Russian owners during the Russian Civil War. The 1921 Red Army invasion brought the nation-building to an
end and Georgia became part of the Soviet Union. By 1990, Georgia’s coastal waters had been controlled by the Poti-based 184th
Coast Guard Brigade of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet. Smaller bases were located at Ochamchire, Batumi, Anaklia, and Sukhumi. After
the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Poti brigade was completely withdrawn from Georgia in 1992, having left behind only six
vessels. However, the Russian frontier guards continued to patrol Georgia’s coastline until the mid-1990s. In February 1990, the
Cabinet of Ministers of Georgia decreed an ad hoc commission for the army-building problems. One of its groups, led by Captain
Alexander Javakhishvili, the former commander of a Soviet nuclear submarine, was responsible for building up a navy. After the
dissolution of the Soviet Union, Georgia, not a CIS member at that time, was not included in the initial Russian-Ukrainian Black Sea
Fleet partition negotiations in January 1992. Thus, when the separatist war in Abkhazia broke out in 1992, Georgia was without an
effective naval force and defense system. The only two significant naval operations during the war included the August 1992
evacuation of 173 women and children from Bichvinta (Pitsunda) and the April 1993 destruction of a pro-Abkhaz Chechen warlord
Shamil Basayev’s camp at Gudauta. Georgia set out to build a navy on July 7, 1993 (Georgia’s Navy Day). The navy-building began
with equipping fishing vessels by small caliber anti-aircraft guns and machine guns. In 1996, Georgia resumed its demands on its
portion of the ex-Soviet Black Sea Fleet, and the Russian refusal to allot Georgia a portion of the ex-Soviet navy became another
bone of contention in the progressively deteriorating Georgian-Russian relations. This time, Ukraine endorsed Tbilisi’s claims,
turning over several patrol boats to the Georgian Navy and starting to train Georgian crews, but was unable to include in the final
fleet deal a transfer of the formerly Poti-based vessels to Georgia.[2] Later, the rest of the Georgian share was decided to be ceded to
Russia in return for diminution of debt. Later in the 1990s, Georgia, with the help of the NATO member states, chiefly the United
States, Turkey and Greece, managed to build up a small naval force. Yet, until recently, the Georgian Navy had, in many ways, been
the most inferior component of the armed forces without any clear operational doctrine and lacking resources necessary to maintain
seaworthy ships or conduct training missions. In contrast, the Georgian Coast Guard, which is part of the Border Guard Department
and subordinate to the Interior Ministry, is the most effective force in Georgia today. Responsible for border security, the coast guard
polices Georgia's coastline (with the exception of a portion of breakaway Abkhazia's waters), manages the 12 nautical miles (22 km)
18
of territorial water and secures the country's two principal ports, Poti and Batumi.[3] Georgia is one of the founding members and a
participant of the Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group.
Command Structure
• Naval Forces Command
• Ship Squadron (Rocket Ship Division - Patrol Ship Division - Support Ship Division - Demining Team)
• Naval Base Poti (Logistics and Engineer Support)
• Naval Base Batumi (Training Center – Support Team)
Georgian Navy vessels

The Georgian Navy consists of 19 boats. Until 19 August 2008, when it was destroyed by Russian forces, the most powerful combat
unit was the missile boat Dioskuria. The other surface combat vessel, the missile boat Tbilisi, was found on fire in the Georgian naval
base of Poti. The remaining are chiefly patrol boats of various sizes, although there is one larger patrol ship, the Aeti (აეტი),
formerly the German minesweeper M-1085 Minden. The navy may have suffered extensive losses in the 2008 South Ossetian
Conflict, so the figures are not possibly up to date. On 9 August 2008 one Georgian warship was reported to have been hit by gunfire
and sunk by units of the Russian Black Sea Fleet off the Abkhazian coast when allegedly entered a Russia imposed 'security zone'
along with three other vessels.[4] Other units were set on fire or sunk by Russian forces at Poti naval pier on 13 August.[5]
Missile boats
• The Tbilisi (თბილისი) is a Soviet project 206MR missile boat, obtained in 1999 from Ukraine. It is equipped with two
Termite missile launchers, a 76 mm AK-176 dual purpose gun and a six-barreled 30 mm AK-630M Gatling gun. The ship
was discovered on fire in the Georgian naval base of Poti on August 13, 2008. [6]
• The Dioskuria (დიოსკურია) is a French-built La Combattante II (1971), obtained in 2004 from Greece, formerly the PG
Ypoploiarchos Batsis (P 17). Equipped with the four MM38 Exocet missile system , two Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannons and
two 533 mm torpedo-launchers, she was the most powerful combat craft in the Georgian Navy.[7] She too was severely
damaged in the 2008 South Ossetia war[8] and sunk in Poti.[9]
References
1. ^ Georgian Navy. Ministry of Defense of Georgia. Accessed on August 13, 2007.
2. ^ Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Newsline. Vol. 1, No. 42, Part I, 30 May 1997
3. ^ Georgia: Gas Cutoff Highlights National Security Flaws. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. February 2, 2006.
4. ^ (Russian) Russian Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo confirms sinking of a Georgian boat, Lenta.Ru, August 10, 2008
5. ^ Russian forces sink Georgian ships
6. ^ Picture of The Tbilisi on fire
7. ^ (Russian) "Secrets of the Georgian military Russian reporter: It is damaged". Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
8. ^ Picture of MFAC Dioskuria in Poti with damage behind the bridge
9. ^ Viz [1] - Photos were tahen on 25. September. Therefore it's not true that Dioskuria should be scuttled at sea by
Russians…
• Army & Society in Georgia (1998). Slavic & East European Collections at UC Berkeley. Accessed on August 13, 1992.
• (Georgian) The Georgian Naval Forces
• (Georgian) Vessels of the Georgian Navy
The missile boat Tbilisi - The missile boat Dioskuria
Georgian Navy officers - Georgian Navy personnel

19
Naval battle scenes from the 17th century manuscript of Shota Rustaveli's poem
20
Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group

BLACKSEAFOR
(2001-2008)
The Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR), was created in early 2001 under the leadership of Turkey, with
the participation of all other Black Sea littoral states, namely Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia. The
BLACKSEAFOR founding agreement was signed in Istanbul on 2 April 2001. The original purpose of BLACKSEAFOR was to
promote security and stability in the Black Sea maritime area and beyond, strengthen friendship and good neighborly relations among
the regional States, and increase interoperability among those states' naval forces. Soft security efforts and military activities, in
addition to political dialogue, are being pursued in this framework. Search and rescue operations, environmental protection, and
mine-clearing were among the initial activities of BLACKSEAFOR. After the terrorist attacks in the USA on September the 11th,
2001, BLACKSEAFOR's area of responsibility was expanded in order to include the fight against terrorism. Littoral countries are
still working on BLACKSEAFOR's transformation process, in order to better adapt the force to the new security environment.
BLACKSEAFOR is an on-call force and currently has no permanent headquarters. It is being activated on a regular basis and the
command structure is based on the principle of rotation. Each littoral assumes leadership for a six-month period. According to the
BLACKSEAFOR Agreement, 2 scheduled activations take place each year. Unscheduled activations can also take place if
participation of 4 ships is achieved. Decisions are taken by consensus. BLACKSEAFOR plays a major role in preserving security in
the Black Sea maritime area.[citation needed] A risk assessment conducted in 2005 by BLACKSEAFOR States stated that although the
Black Sea is not fully immune from asymmetric risks, there are no alarming threats in the area with which the littoral states could not
cope.
See also
Operation Black Sea Harmony
External links
Blackseafor
Operation Black Sea Harmony

(2004-2008)
Black Sea Harmony is a naval operation initiated by Turkey in March 2004 in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions
1373, 1540 and 1566 aimed at deterring terrorism and asymmetric threats worldwide. It is similar to the NATO-led Operation Active
Endeavour in the Mediterranean, and also aims at ensuring the security of the Turkish Straits, namely the Istanbul and the Canakkale.
Although it is a national operation at this stage, Black Sea Harmony is expected to become a multinational one with the participation
of other Black Sea littoral States. Turkey has extended invitations to each littoral state to join Black Sea Harmony. The operation is
currently being conducted in Turkey's territorial waters in the Black Sea. In order to deter possible risks and threats in the maritime
area, the Turkish Navy conducts periodic surveillance and reconnaissance operations in these waters. Statistics concerning suspect
ships are collected and shared with NATO and other littoral nations. In case of hailing of a suspect ship, voluntary boarding
(depending on the captain's will) is conducted. Permanent headquarters of Operation Black Sea Harmony is located in Eregli, on
Turkey's Black Sea coast. Once the Operation becomes multinational, other littoral States will be able to send Liaison Officers to
Eregli. December 27, 2006 - Russia officially joins Black Sea Harmony initiative to address new security challenges in region. A
Protocol on information exchange regarding Ukraine's participation was signed in Ankara on 17 January 2007.
See also
• Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group
External links
Turkish Naval Forces
21
Georgian Air Force

საქართველოს სამხედრო-საჰაერო ძალები
sak’art’velos samxedro-sahaero dzalebi
The Georgian Air Force is the air arm of the Georgian Armed Forces, garrisoned in Alekseevka (Tbilisi) and currently commanded
by colonel Zurah Pochkua. Currently, it has 1,813 military and civilian personnel[1], up to 22 fixed wing aircraft (Su-25KM/UB, L-
39, Yak-52,) and 11 helicopters of different type (Mi-24, Mi-8, UH-1H, Mi-2) and 380 air defense missiles of the "surface-to-air'
class. The Air Force was founded in 1991 in the wake of the break-up of the Soviet Union. In 1995 the Air Force had around 1,194
personnel and 33 aircraft, and since that time it has had relatively modest growth compared to the Georgian Army which has had
greater investment.[2]
Mission and objectives
The Georgian Air Force has the following objectives:
• To control and defend the air space of Georgia.
• To conduct air intelligence and surveillance.
• To provide support to the the other braches of the Armed Forces.
• To conduct air evacuation and search and rescue operations.
• To conduct air movement of personnel and military cargo transportation.
Structure
Air Force Commander
Air Defence
Anti-aircraft rocket divisions (1st AD Base – AD Missile Unit)
Radar reconnaisannce batteries (Radio Recce – 3 Radar Recce)
HQ Staff
Central Command Point
A1 to A5 components
Aviation
Aircraft Base (fixed wing) with 2 Squadrons (SU-25 and L-39)
Helicopter Base with 2 Squadrons (UH-101 and Mi-8)
Aviation Training Center (An-2 Squadron)
The Georgian Air Forces is controlled by a headquarters staff and is divided into two function elements of Aviation and Air
Defence.[3] The current commander of the Air Force (since 15 September 2008) is Colonel Zurab Pochkhua.[4] Prior to that, from 21
March 2007 to 15 September 2008, the Air Force commander was Colonel David Nairashvili. He was preceeded by Alan Lakoyev.[5]
The two major airfields are located near Tbilisi at Alekseevka and Marneuli. The Georgian Air Force is currently undergoing a
process of modernization with the help of Georgia’s NATO partners, specifically the United States and Turkey.
Equipment
Aircraft
• 8 Su-25KM[7]
• 3 Su-25UB[7]
• 4 Su 25KM Skorpion (Georgia-IsraeL Joint Dev.)
• 11 Aero L-39 Albatros
• 2 Aero L-29 Delfin
Helicopters
• 8 Mi-35
• 12 Mi-24P
• 6 Mi-24V
• 18 Mi-14
22
• 16 Mi-8
• 6 Bell 212
• 40 UH-1H
• 2 Mi-2
Air Defence
• 15 SA-11 Gadfly
• 5 SA-3 Goa
• 18 SA-8
• ?? SA-7A/B Grail
• ?? SA-16 Gimlet
• 8 ZSU-23-4
• 2 SPYDER
• 15 S-60
• 40 MT-LB with towed ZU-23-2
• 30 Grom man-portable air-defense system missile launchers with 100 missiles[8]
Aircraft Inventory
Some of these this units may have been destroyed in the 2008 South Ossetia war, so the figures may not be up to date.
In
Aircraft Origin Type Versions Notes
service[6]
Fighter Aircraft
Ground-Attack Aircraft
Su-25KM 8[7]
Tam Su-25KM
Skorpion Soviet Union / Israel / Georgia attack
Su-25UB 1[7]
Transport and Liaison Aircraft
Soviet Union
built by
Antonov An-2 utility An-2 5
PZL
Poland
Antonov An-24 Soviet Union tactical transport An-24 1
Antonov An-32 Soviet Union tactical transport An-32 1
Trainer Aircraft
Aero L-39
Czechoslovakia trainer L-39 6
Albatros
Attack Helicopters
Mi-24V
Mil Mi-24 Soviet Union attack helicopter 8
Mi-24P
Transport and Utility Helicopters
Bell UH-1H
United States utility helicopter UH-1H 8
Iroquois
built by
Mil Mi-2 Poland utility helicopter Mi-2 7
PZL
Mi-8T
Mil Mi-8 Soviet Union transport helicopter 18
Mi-
8MTV-1
UAV
Hermes
Elbit Hermes 450 Israel unmanned aerial vehicle ??
450
See also
• Abkhazian Air Force
• 2008 Georgian spy plane shootdowns
23
• Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Air force of Georgia

References
1. ^ Georgian Air Force. The Ministry of Defense of Georgia. Retrieved on January 21, 2007
2. ^ Georgian Air Force. The Global Security website. Retrieved on January 21, 2007
3. ^ http://www.mod.gov.ge/i.php?l=E&m=5&sm=7
4. ^ Air Force Commander of the Georgian Armed Forces. MoD. 2008-10-09.
5. ^ http://www.regnum.ru/english/800475.html
6. ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15,
2007.
7. ^ a b c d Gordon, Yefim and Alan Dawes. Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot: Close Air Support Aircraft. London: Airlife, 2004. ISBN
1-84037-353-9. p.97
Mi-24 attack helicopter no.09 - Aero L-29 Delfin - Mil Mi-24 No.05 –
Georgian Bell UH-1H Iroquois - Mil Mi-14 ASW helicopter - Mi-8T transport helicopter - Georgian Su-25UB
UAV Hermes 450 – Georgian Air Force gunship Mi-24

24
National Guard of Georgia

საქართველოს ეროვნული გვარდია
sak'art'velos erovnuli gvardia
Formed the 20 December 1990, the National Guard of Georgia (GNG) (Georgian: საქართველოს ეროვნული გვარდია,
sak'art'velos erovnuli gvardia) is military structure within the Georgian Armed Forces and has a department status within the
structure of the Ministry of Defense. It is tasked with responding to external threats, civil disturbances, and natural disasters. The
GNG is also responsible for the mobilization of reservists.[1] The GNG was established on December 20, 1990 and was manned by
volunteers. Thus, it became the first national military formation in then-Soviet Georgia which would later provide the basis for the
regular armed forces. Almost from its birth, the National Guard became directly involved in Georgian politics. It was a major
paramilitary force to have fought in the Georgian Civil War, South Ossetian and Abkhazian conflicts in the early 1990s.[2] The
National Guard of Georgia currently consists of 554 personnel[3] and is commanded byColonel Davit Aptsiauri (დავით
აფციაური).
References
1. ^ National Military Strategy of Georgia, The Defense Ministry of Georgia. Retrieved on January 27, 2007.
2. ^ Georgian National Guard, The Global Security website. Retrieved on January 27, 2007.
3. ^ Georgian National Guard, The Defense Ministry of Georgia. Retrieved on January 27, 2007.
See also
• National Guard
• Home Guard
External links
• The National Guard website
History of The National Guard

From http://guard.mod.gov.ge
The National Guard of Georgia was established on December 20, 1990. The National Guard became the first armed formation on the
basis of which Georgian Armed Forces formed and developed. In the 90s of XX century, the National Guard was the core power of
the Georgian Armed Forces during the combats held for integrity of Georgia and more than 600 guards-men sacrificed their own
lives for the unity and freedom of their homeland. Before 2000, the National Guard included only combat and training subunits,
though based on the US EUCOM recommendations new role and functions were determined to the National Guard and relevant
structural changes were done. Coming out from the military policy of Georgia of 2004 -2006 years, the priorities of the National
Guard are: training-retraining of the reserve of the Georgian Armed Forces, management of the mobilization resources, organization
and implementation of the combat training, mobilization planning and guidance, rare/support operations during military emergency,
support civil government in crisis situations;convene, select and man of citizens on the basis of the agreement for the units, subunits
and bases of the Armed Forces. Future plans of National Guard are to improve training level of the reservists and training of each
battalion located in the regions in order to conduct search-rescue operations during emergency.
25
Reserve Bases
Structure of National Guard Department

Leadership of the National Guard Department
National Guard Department

26
GEORGIAN NATIONAL GUARD PHOTOGALLERY

27
Commander of the Georgian National Guard
Colonel Shmagi Telia
Born December 14, 1970 in Novgorodi, Russia. Married, two children. Colonel. Civil education: Higher (Law). Military
Education and Courses for Qualification Improvement: 1993 Platoon Commander Preparation Course (Tbilisi). 98 Bundeswehr
Language Course (Hurt, Germany). 98 Bundeswehr Tank Institute, Battalion Commander Preparation Course (Munster, Germany).
99 Joint Military Academy (Tbilisi). 02 Staff Course of Georgian Train and Equipment Program (Tbilisi). 2003 Combating
Terrorism Course (Ankara, Turkey). 2003: English Language Course of Brown Centre (Tbilisi). 2004-2005 American Language
Special Course, Military Language Collage (Texas, USA). 2005-2006: LF Command Post College (Kansas, USA). Work
Experience: 1988-1990: Soviet 7th Airborne Division, Combat Leader, Deputy Platoon Commander. 1992-1994: Tank,
Commandment and Mountain - Infantry Platoon Commander. 1994: LF Staff, Mobilization and Force Manning Officer . 1994-1995:
Second in Command of Battalion Headquarter. 1995-1997: Infantry Company Commander. 1997: Battalion Headquarter Second in
Command. 1997-2001: Officer of Main Operations Department of General Staff: 2001-2002: Deputy Chief of Operative Planning
Division of Main Operations Department of General Staff. 2002-2003; Deputy Chief of Special and Combating Terrorism
Operations Planning Division of Main Operations Department of General Staff. 2003-2004: Chief of Special and Combating
Terrorism Operations Planning Division of Main Operations Department of General Staff. 2004: Chief of Non - Combat Military
Operations Planning Section of Operations Planning Division of General Staff Operations Department. 2006-2007: Chief of Staff of
the II Infantry Brigade. 2007 Chief of J-3 Operations Department of General Staff 2007-2008 Deputy Chief of Joint Staff 2008 Chief
of National Guard Department Awards:: Medal for Military Bravery - Medal for Combat Merit. Languages: English, German,
Russian
28
Conscription in Georgia
Notices are draft drom The Right to Conscientious Objection in Europe, Quaker Council for European Affairs, 2005, full text published in
http://www.wri-irg.org/co/rtba/georgia.htm
The conscription is regulated by Article 101 of the 1995 Constitution and by 4 laws on military service (1997-1998). Liability: males
citizens 18-27 old. Term of service 18 months. In 2002 introduced a tax exemption of 2.000 GEL (900 US$) and a tax of delay of
200 GEL per year, but the exempts are liable for mobilisation. In august 2004 the Parliament discussed a proposal to short the active
service to 12 months, and to 6 months for university graduates who have completed military training at university. In 2005 The
armed forces comprise 17,500 troops, including 10,400 conscripts. Every year, approx. 42,000 young men reach conscription age;
approx. 20 per cent are recruited. The Georgian government has announced a reform of the Georgian armed forces in order to comply
with NATO standards. The government has planned to reduce the size of the armed forces and increase the number of professional
soldiers to two thirds of the total manpower. The abolition of conscription is not foreseen. The right to conscientious objection for
religious or moral claims is legally recognized by the 1997 Law on Civil Alternative Service, but the latter had never been activated,
although the responsibility of the Civil service had been transferred in May 2001 from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of
Health & Social Affairs. 400/800 CO are reported for 1998-99 and 400 for 2002, namely Jehova’s Witnesses. In 2002, the United
Nations Human Rights Committee stated in its concluding observations on Georgia's periodic report that: "It regrets the lack of clear
information on the rules currently governing conscientious objection to military service".[7] Draft evasion and desertion are
punishable with one to three years' imprisonment, and up to five years in case of aggravating circumstances such as using false
documents (Criminal Code, Article 81). Refusing call-up for mobilization is punishable with three to ten years' imprisonment (Article
82). Desertion is punishable with three to seven years' imprisonment (Article 256). During wartime, higher sentences apply. [11]
According to the Ministry of Defence, 167 draft evaders and deserters were imprisoned in September 2002.[14] More recent figures
are not available. In the past, several amnesties have been announced for draft evaders and deserters. The most recent amnesty was
announced during the autumn of 2000 and applied to men who deserted from the armed forces before 22 December 2000. The
amnesty law was believed to apply to approx. 4,500 draft evaders and deserters.[15] Although they were freed from criminal
prosecution, they remained liable for military service and may consequently still be called up to serve. It is believed that only one
third of them actually made themselves known to the military authorities.[16]
29
Law enforcement in Georgia

Law enforcement in Georgia has undergone a radical transformation in the last few years. In 2005 President Mikhail Saakashvili
fired "the entire traffic police force" of the Georgian National Police due to corruption, [1] numbering around 30,000 police officers.
[2]
A new force was built around new recruits. [3]The United States State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law-
Enforcement Affairs has provided assistance to the training efforts. [4]
Notes
1. ^ thenewspaper.com Retrieved 14 May 2007
2. ^ NPR Retrieved 14 May 2007
3. ^ thenewspaper.com Retrieved 1 June 2007
4. ^ Building security in the Republic of Georgia Andrew Stamer Retrieved 1 June 2007
Andrew Stamer (Soldiers Magazine August 2005, “Building security in the Republic of Georgia”) wrote that three U. S. agencies
assist the Georgian government to improving border control (anti drugs, shipments of radioactive materials and other contraband).
The Agencies are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Europe District, the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (USBCBP),
and the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law-Enforcement Affairs (INL). The Europe District of the
Corps of Engineers, active in Gorgia since 1997, renovated a Soviet era aircrafr hangar for border air patrol and erected a series of
border crossings and ports for use by USBCBP personnel and the Georgian coast guard and renovate in Tbilisi a nine-story building
that will be used as a forensics laboratory and a police academy.
Georgian Police
Georgian Police also known as Patruli is a national police force charged with maintaining peace and order throughout the country.
The official name for the body is Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. Patruli was first introduced
in the summer of 2005 replacing the traffic police, which were accused of corruption.[1] The police introduced an 022 emergency
dispatch service in 2004.[2]
References
1. ^ "Remarks by President Saakashvili at the CIS Summit in Tbilisi" (June 3, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
2. ^ "Security Notice". American Embassy Tblisi. Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
• "Report on the Current Situation with the Recommendations for Reform" (PDF). The Ministry of Internal Affairs of
Georgia. Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
• Tim Weber (2004-01-22). "Georgia seeks anti-corruption fund", BBC News. Retrieved on 23 December 2007.
External links
• Georgia’s Fight Against Corruption and For Reforms. Neweurasia - Georgia.
• Newsletter (PDF). Office of the Prosecutor General of Georgia.
30
Border Guard Department

(dacvis departamenti)
Commander in Chief (sazRvris dacvis sardlis) - Land Border Guard (sazRvris dacvis)
Air Border Guard (saHaero dacvis) 2004
Coast Guard (saNapiro dacvis) 2004
Georgian Police Agencies
counter-terrorist Department – Tbilisi Police . Special Operations Department - Interpol (2008)
konstituciuri usafrTxoebis departamenti (kod), 2008 - dacvis policiis departamenti, 2008 –

momsaxurebis saagento, 2008. – Police Academy 2008.
http://www.militaria.ge/heraldika/gerbebi/saxmeleto_zalebi/saxmeleto_zalebi.htm ©Victor Lomantsov
31
Georgia-NATO relations
Georgia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) relations officially began in 1994 when Georgia joined the NATO run
Partnership for Peace. Georgia has moved quickly following the Rose Revolution in 2003 to seek closer ties and eventual
membership with NATO. Georgia's powerful northern neighbor, Russia, has opposed the closer ties, including those expressed at the
2008 Bucharest summit where NATO members promised that Georgia would eventually join the organization. Complications in the
relationship between NATO and Georgia includes presence of Russian forces in Georgian territory as a result of multiple recent
conflicts, like the 2008 South Ossetia war, over the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are home to large numbers of
Russian nationals. A nonbinding referendum in 2008 resulted in 77% of voters supporting NATO accession.[1]
Background
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia became an independent nation more closely allied with Russia than with NATO
members.[citation needed] Like others, Georgia joined the NATO run North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1992 and the Partnership for
Peace, signing their agreement on March 23, 1994.[2] In 1996, Georgia submitted their first Individual Partnership Plan, and in 1997
ratified the Status of Forces Agreement. Georgia opened official relations with NATO in 1998 by opening a diplomatic mission and
presenting an ambassador. Following more discussions, the first joint military exercises occurred in Poti in 2001, with more in
2002.[3] The 2003 Rose Revolution replaced Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze with Mikheil Saakashvili, who has promoted
closer ties with western institutions including NATO.[citation needed] In 2004, Georgian forces worked with NATO forces in the
International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, as part of the election security force.
NATO Accession
Georgia's effort to join NATO began in 2005. NATO and Georgia both signed an agreement on the appointment of Partnership for
Peace (PfP) liaison officer on February 14, 2005. The liaison office between them came into force then and was assigned to Georgia.
On March 2, 2005, the agreement was signed on the provision of the host nation supporting and aiding transit of NATO forces and
NATO personnel. On March 6-9, 2006, the IPAP implementation interim assessment team arrived in Tbilisi. On April 13, 2006, the
discussion of the assessment report on implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan was held at NATO Headquarters,
within 26+1 format.[4] Georgia is the furthest east of all countries currently considering new NATO partnerships. The geographical
inclusion of Georgia in Eastern Europe is a controversial subject related to Georgia's desire to become part of NATO. Article 10 of
the North Atlantic Treaty limits membership extension to European states.[5] Russia sees NATO's eastward expansion as a threat
against their strategic interests in Europe and has accused the West of having double standards.[6] [7] Georgia believes that
membership in NATO is a guarantee of stability in the region and considers Russia a dangerous neighbour who many think was
behind the tensions that began in 1990s and left tens of thousands dead.[citation needed] This view was once again confirmed by the
referendum in which most Georgians were in favour of NATO membership.[citation needed] In 2006, the Georgian parliament voted
unanimously for the bill which calls for the integration of Georgia into NATO. A majority of Georgians and politicians in Georgia
support the movement for NATO membership. On January 5, 2008 Georgia held a non-binding referendum on NATO membership
with 77% voting in favor of joining the organization.
The Bucharest Summit

During the NATO summit in Bucharest, George W. Bush called for Georgia to be allowed to join the Membership Action Plan
(MAP). The alliance decided not to offer Georgia a MAP due to opposition from several countries, led by Germany and France, who
feared the decision would anger Russia.[8][9] Instead NATO countries assured the Georgian side in a special communiqué that they
would eventually join the alliance once the requirement for membership were met.[10] Members further pledged to review the
decision in December 2008 at the meeting of NATO foreign ministers.[11] Responding on April 11, 2008, the head of the Russian
military, general Yuri Baluyevsky stated that if Georgia joins NATO, "Russia will take steps aimed at ensuring its interests along its
borders and these will not only be military steps, but also steps of a different nature". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia released
a statement that said that it was "a demonstration of open aggression against Georgia" and called on the international community to
react adequately to this "serious threat".[12] The NATO communiqué which promised the country eventual membership still angered
Moscow. After the summit, Russian president Vladimir Putin vowed support and protection to then-unrecognized republics of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and even promising to open official Russian representations in the regions - a move which Georgia said
violated the international law and considered a direct attack on a sovereign state. Russian statement said "Any attempts to apply
political, economic or, all the more, military pressure on Abkhazia and South Ossetia are hopeless and counterproductive."[13] After
the 2008 South Ossetia war, Russia recognized Georgia's two breakaway regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as independent
countries.[14]
South Ossetia War
Main article: 2008 South Ossetia war
On August 7, 2008, Georgia called for a unilateral ceasefire following days of exchanged gunfire between Georgian forces and South
Ossetian separatists. Five and a half hours after Georgia's declared ceasefire, Georgia's Foreign Ministry sent troops into South
Ossetia "to restore constitutional order in the entire region"[15] The South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali became the site for a prolonged
battle. Russia responded with a larger assault that quickly moved beyond South Ossetia in Georgia and included the other breakaway
region of Abkhazia. This ongoing dispute complicates NATO's relation with Russia, which has peacekeeping troops in both regions,
32
internationally recognized as Georgian territory. The South Ossetia war further diminished the likelihood of Georgian accession to
NATO in the near future according to several analysts.[16] Others however see it as a justification for Georgian membership in
NATO.[17] German Chancellor Angela Merkel said during the meeting with Russian president after the signing of a ceasefire
agreement that the promise made to Georgia in Bucharest is still standing. However, she did not indicate a time frame, nor did she
retract the earlier insistence of Germany and France, that Georgia must resolve its internal problems prior to any NATO
membership.[18] As of November 2008, there is not a consensus within NATO on a Georgian Membership Action Plan.[19]
References
1. ^ Referendum results [1]
2. ^ "Information on NATO-Georgia Relations". Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Of Georgia (2007). Retrieved on 2008-08-28.
3. ^ "How did relations with Georgia evolve?". NATO (August 27, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-08-28.
4. ^ Georgia's way to NATO
5. ^ "The North Atlantic Treaty". NATO (1949-04-04). Retrieved on 2008-08-20.
6. ^ On Russia's perception of NATO threat
7. ^ On Russia's perception of Western double standards
8. ^ Beacon falters in fight for freedom | The Australian
9. ^ Prime Minister Francois Fillon -" We think it is not the right response to the balance of power in Europe and between
Europe and Russia"[2]
10. ^ Ukraine and Georgia will eventually join the alliance
11. ^ BBC, Nato denies Georgia and Ukraine, 03.04.08
12. ^ Russian army vows military intervention if Georgia and Ukraine join NATO
13. ^ "Russia continues to support the separatist regimes", International Herald Tribune (April 3, 2008). Retrieved on 28
August 2008.
14. ^ http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iUA357W77ndvCMh32VlQqdGj53mAD92PUTOO0
15. ^ Ossetian crisis: Who started it?
16. ^ Clark, Torrey; Greg Walters (August 8, 2008). "Putin Says `War Has Started,' Georgia Claims Invasion", Bloomberg
L.P.. Retrieved on 8 August 2008.
17. ^ "Nato should press on and give Georgia membership", Bronwen Maddox, Times, August 11, 2008
18. ^ "Merkel, Medvedev Clash Over Russia's War in Sochi Talks". Retrieved on 15 August 2008.
19. ^ Dombey, Daniel (November 11, 2008). "US gives way on Nato for Georgia and Ukraine", Financial Times. Retrieved on
28 November 2008.
External links
• NATO-Georgia relations. The NATO website.
• Nato information center in Georgia
Georgian NATO membership referendum, 5 Jan 2008

A non-binding, advisory referendum on whether to join NATO was held in Georgia on January 5, 2008, together with an early
presidential election and a legislative election date referendum.[1][2] This was announced in a surprise move on November 26, 2007,
shortly before Mikheil Saakashvili resigned as President of Georgia for the early presidential elections. The only question of the
referendum asked: "Do you want Georgia to become a member of NATO?" According to the official results of Georgia's Central
Election Commission, 77% of voters were in favor, and 23% voted against it.[3]
References
1. ^ Georgier sollen am 5. Januar auch über Nato-Beitritt entscheiden NZZ, 26 November 2007 (German)
2. ^ Georgia to Hold Plebiscite on NATO Membership UNA Georgia, 26 November 2007
3. ^ Plebiscite. Elections.Ge (Civil Georgia). January 11, 2008.
Summary of the 5 January 2008

Georgian NATO membership
referendum results
Answer Votes %
Yes
1,355,328 77.00
No 404,943 23.00
Total 1,760,271 100.00
An October 2007 sign in downtown Tbilisi promoting eventual integration with NATO
Current members Acceding embers Promised invitation Intensified Dialogue Membership not goal Undeclared intent
33
Georgia Train and Equip Program

(27 February 2002 – Ended 2004)
Operation Enduring Freedom - Pankisi Gorge
The Georgia Train and Equip Program (GTEP) was an American-sponsored 18-month, $64-million plan designed to increase the
capabilities of the Georgian armed forces. On February 27, 2002 it began to be reported in the US media that the U.S. would send
approximately two hundred United States Army Special Forces soldiers to Georgia to train Georgian troops.[citation needed] This program
implemented President Bush's decision to respond to the Government of Georgia's request for assistance to enhance its counter-
terrorism capabilities and addressed the situation in the Pankisi Gorge. This move drew protests from many Russians, who believed
that Georgia should remain within the Russian sphere of influence, and not the United States'. On March 1, 2002, over domestic
outcry, Russian president Vladimir Putin met with Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze in Kazakhstan and pledged his support
for the American military initiative.[citation needed] The Program began in May 2002 when the US funded the GTEP to train Georgian
Armed Forces (12th "Commando" Light Infantry Battalion, 16th Mountain-Infantry Battalion, 13th "Shavnabada" Light Infantry
Battalion, 11th Light Infantry Battalion, Mechanized company, and small numbers of Interior Ministry troops and border
guards.)[1]This was anticipated to cost around sixty-four million dollars to train and equip four six-hundred man battalions with light
weapons, vehicles and communications. The program was said to be tied to Operation Enduring Freedom as a means to speed up
funding.[2] Although GTEP formally came to a close in April 2004, US military assistance continued with the Georgia Sustainment
and Stability Operations Program. Part of this program was involved in preparing Georgian units for operations with the US led
Multinational Force Iraq. The program ended in September 2007.
References
1. ^ "Patterns of Global Terrorism 2003". US Department of State (2004-04-29). Retrieved on 2007-01-14.
2. ^ "Helping Georgia?". Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology and Policy. Boston University (March–April 2002). Retrieved on 2007-
02-14.
External links
• http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=3326 - original DOD press release
• http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/gtep.htm
• http://www.eucom.mil/directorates/ecpa/operations/gtep/englishproducts/fact%5Fsheet5.htm&2
Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program

(Georgia SSOP)
The Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program (Georgia SSOP) is a security assistance program designed to create
an increased capability in the Georgian military to support Operation Iraqi Freedom stability missions. Launched in January 2005,
SSOP will also help solidify the progress made during the very successful Georgia Train and Equip Program (GTEP) of 2002-2004
and continue to assist in the implementation of western standards in the Georgian armed forces. The first part of the program (SSOP
I) lasted about 18 months and cost approximately $60 million. Conducted by United States Army Special Forces and United States
Marine Corps, Europe SSOP is designed to train two Infantry Battalions for military service in Iraq; two Logistics Battalions;
specialized units for the Georgian 1st Brigade; and staff training for the 1st and 2nd Georgian Brigade, the Land Forces Command
Staff, and the Operations Cell of the Georgian General Staff. Additionally, SSOP will provide Georgia with a cadre of trainers and
staff to support additional personnel and peacekeeping units.
References
• Georgian Security & Stability Operations at U.S. European Command website
• Georgia Security & Stability Operations (Georgia SSOP)
Georgian participation in “Multinational Force in Iraq”

Following the outbreak of war between Georgia and Russia on August 8, 2008, Mikheil Saakashvili said that Georgia was pulling its
entire 2,000-strong contingent of troops from Iraq.[87] During the 10th and 11th of August the US Air Force airlifted the whole
contigent out of Iraq[88]. The troops, all of whom had been trained by American instructors, were based east of Baghdad, close to the
border with Iran[89] Politicians had already stated that the contingent would be reduced to 300 in summer 2008.[40] Georgia's
contingent originally consisted of 300 special forces troops under U.S. command in Baqouba, who guarded two bridges and three
American Forward Operating Bases. 550 more troops were deployed in June 2005, ostensibly to serve as UNAMI guards, although
they were placed under U.S. command on a dangerous 'Middle Ring Security' mission in the Green Zone.[90] On March 9, 2007,
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili announced his plans to increase total Georgian troop strength in Iraq to 2000, by sending an
extra 1,200 troops and moving those already in Iraq to join the new unit.[91] As of July 2008, five Georgian soldiers had died in Iraq
(one in a vehicle accident, one committed suicide, while three were killed in combat) and 19 were wounded.[92]
1. ^ "Peace bid as Ossetia crisis rages", BBC (2008-08-09). Retrieved on 9 August 2008.
2. ^ "U.S. takes Georgian troops home from Iraq", Air Force Times (2008-08-11). Retrieved on 12 August 2008.
3. ^ Russia on Its Mind, Georgia Flexes Its Muscle in Iraq - New York Times
4. ^ Press Releases, Statements & Transcripts - Embassy of the U.S. in Georgia
5. ^ BBC NEWS | Europe | Georgia to double troops in Iraq
6. ^ [4] Online Magazine - Civil Georgia]
34
Georgia–Russia relations
Georgian–Russian relations are the relations between Georgia and Russia and between the Georgian and Russian people in
particular, lasting from the 18th century. During 18th century Russia, Ottoman Empire and Persia vied for control over the
strategically important Caucasus region. Eventually Russia won this battle by conquering the lands of Georgia, Azerbaijan and
Armenia. Russian occupation of Georgia took place in two steps. In 1783 Georgia signed the Treaty of Georgievsk with the Russian
Empire, placing the eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti under Russian patronage. Despite Russia's commitment to defend
Georgia, it rendered no assistance when the Persians invaded in 1785 and again in 1795. On December 22, 1800, Tsar Paul I of
Russia, at the alleged request of the Georgian King George XII, signed the proclamation on the incorporation of Georgia within the
Russian Empire, which was finalized by a decree on January 8, 1801,[1] [2] and confirmed by Tsar Alexander I on September 12,
1801.[3] [4] Georgian ambassador in Russia reacted with a note of protest that was presented to the Russian vice-chancellor Prince
Kurakin.[5] In May 1801, Russian General Carl Heinrich Knorring dethroned the Georgian heir to the throne David Batonishvili and
instituted a government headed by General Ivan Petrovich Lasarev.[6] The Georgian nobility did not accept the decree until April
1802 when General Knorring compassed the nobility in Tbilisi's Sioni Cathedral and forced them to take an oath on the Imperial
Crown of Russia. Those who disagreed were arrested temporarily.[7] In 1918 the Democratic Republic of Georgia was established.
The republic was short-lived, as in 1921 Georgia was invaded and occupied by Bolsheviks eventually being incorporated into the
Soviet Union in 1922. On August 29, 2008, in the aftermath of the 2008 South Ossetia war, Deputy Foreign Minister Grigol
Vashadze announced that Georgia had broken diplomatic relations with Russia. He also said that Russian diplomats must leave
Georgia and that no Georgian diplomat would remain in Russia while only consular relations would be maintained. Russian foreign
ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said that Russia regretted this step.[8]
Post-independence relations (1992-2003)
Russia has supported separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia since the early 1990s. This is arguably the greatest
problem of Georgian-Russian relations The tensions between Georgia and Russia, which had become tense even before the collapse
of the Soviet Union, climaxed during the seccessionist conflict in Abkhazia in 1992-3. Support to the Abkhaz from various groups
within Russia such as the Confederation of Mountain Peoples of the Caucasus, Cossacks, and regular military units, and support to
South Ossetia by their ethnic brethren that lived in Russia's federal subject of North Ossetia proved critical in the de facto secession
of Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia. In the aftermath of the military setback in Abkhazia in 1993, the Georgian leader
Eduard Shevardnadze had to concede to the Kremlin's pressure. In exchange for Russian support against forces loyal to the ousted
Georgian president Zviad Gamsakhurdia, he agreed to join the CIS and legitimize the Russian military bases in Georgia: Vaziani
Military Base, Gudauta, Akhalkalaki and Batumi. At the OSCE Istanbul Summit of November 1999, agreement was reached that the
bases would all be evacuated by Russia before July 1, 2001[9]. Vaziani was handed over on June 29, 2001. Akhalkalaki was only
handed over on June 27, 2007, and Batumi on November 13, 2007. Being in Abkhazia, the base at Gudauta has never been under the
control of Georgia. Russia dominates the collective peacekeeping missions in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but is criticized by
Georgia, and more recently, by several Western diplomats, for failing to maintain neutrality in the conflict zones. Russia accused
Georgia of helping Chechen separatists and some supplies and reinforcements indeed reached the rebels via Georgian territory. The
separatists also took refuge in the Pankisi Gorge in eastern Georgia. After Russia had threatened to launch cross-border attacks
against them in 2002, the Georgian government took steps to establish order there with help from the USA.[10]
Relations after the Rose Revolution (2003-present)

35
Rose revolution
Main article: Rose Revolution
See also: Georgia and NATO and Georgia and the European Union
Abkhazia
Russia has lost its role as a mediator in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, according to Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili.
Speaking in a 2006 interview with a Russian newspaper, Bezhuashvili said that Georgia would try to create channels for "direct
dialogue" alongside existing negotiating formats. Bezhuashvili also said that UN monitoring of the Kodori Gorge, which was
suspended three years ago, could resume within "two or three weeks" once security has been established. The following is the text of
the interview published by Vremya Novostey on 4 August: Russian-Georgian relations are going through a crisis. The Georgian
operation in Abkhazia's Kodori Gorge led Moscow to accuse Georgia of violating earlier agreements. Tbilisi responded by accusing
Moscow of supporting separatists. The day before yesterday, in the evening, the first casualties occurred among the Russian
peacekeepers since the situation intensified: Maksim Basenko and Vladimir Vasilchuk were shot dead in the Gudauta District. Their
deaths are most likely connected with the criminal world, since the peacekeepers were escorting a large sum of money for the
payment of wages. The Abkhaz authorities are conducting an investigation. But Georgia perceives what happened as confirmation of
the complex nature of the situation in the unrecognized republic.[11] Russia has granted citizenship to many residents of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia (see also Russians in Georgia). Tbilisi regularly accuses Moscow of meddling in its internal affairs; Moscow says
Tbilisi is preparing for military operations.[12] The Georgian Foreign Ministry accuses Russian peacemakers of inactivity in the
conflict zone of Abkhazia. "Russian peacekeepers continue to act in defiance of their mandated obligations, turning a blind eye to
gross violation of law and human rights taking place in their very presence", according to the Georgian Foreign Ministry.[13] All
international agreements represent an integral part of Georgian legislation and are legally binding throughout the entire territory of
Georgia, including Abkhazia. Additionally, the Protocol under paragraph 4 of the Moscow Agreement of 14 May, 1994 stipulates
that the CIS peacekeeping forces, while performing their functions, are obliged to comply with the requirements of Georgia’s
domestic laws and regulations.[13] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia condemns the separatist regime’s unlawful practices
and the inaction of the CIS peacekeepers and believes that in contrast with "our dedicated efforts to establish stability and achieve a
peaceful resolution of the conflict", the acts of the Abkhazian side "lay bare the genuine character of their destructive and aggressive
goals and aspirations."[13] According to the 2005-6 agreements, the withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia was completed by
January 1, 2008.
Adjara crisis
Main article: 2004 Adjara crisis
Gas supply pipeline sabotage

Main article: 2006 North Ossetia sabotages
See also: White Stream
Russian ban of Georgian wines

Main article: 2006 Russian ban of Moldovan and Georgian wines
Spying row
Main article: 2006 Georgian-Russian espionage controversy
Georgian-Russian relations deteriorated seriously during the September-October 2006 Georgia-Russia spying row when Georgia
detained four Russian officers on spying charges. Russia responded by imposing economic sanctions on Georgia and withdrawing its
embassy from Tbilisi.
Deportation of Georgians
Main article: 2006 deportation of Georgians from Russia
During the spying row, the Russian authorities started to deport Georgian citizens from Russia on charges of visa violations. The
government of Georgia as well as influential human rights organizations such as Freedom House and Human Rights Watch accused
the Russian authorities of "tolerating and encouraging the mistreatments of immigrants from Georgia and other Caucasus
countries."[14] and of "a deliberate campaign to detain and expel thousands of Georgians living in Russia."[15] On 27 March 2007,
Georgia filed an interstate lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights over the cases of violations of the European Convention
for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in the course of the deportation of Georgian citizens from Russia in
the autumn of 2006. Russia described this as a "new unfriendly step taken against Russia".[16]
Alleged air space violations
Helicopter attack incident

Main article: 2007 Georgia helicopter incident
In March, a village in the Georgian controlled area of Abhkazia was according to Georgia attacked by three Russian helicopters.
Russia denied the allegations.
Tsitelubani missile incident

Main article: 2007 Georgia missile incident
On August 7, 2007, a missile landed in the Georgian-controlled village of Tsitelubani, some 65 km north of Tbilisi. Georgian
officials said that two Russian fighter jets violated its airspace and fired a missile, which fell on the edge of a village but did not
explode. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said the incident was part of a pattern of Russian aggression against its neighbors
and urged European states to condemn Moscow. Georgia claimed to have radar evidence proving that the invading aircraft flew in
36
from Russia and said that the strike had aimed, unsuccessfully, at destroying radar equipment recently installed near the South
Ossetian conflict zone.[17][18] South Ossetian separatist leader Eduard Kokoity described the incident as "a provocation staged by the
Georgian side, aimed at discrediting Russia", claiming that another bomb fell in South Ossetia.[19] In his words, "a Georgian military
plane crossed into South Ossetia on Monday, performed manoeuvres above Ossetian villages and dropped two bombs."[19] Russia
also denied the Georgian claim.[20] and said that Georgian jets may have fired the missile on their own territory as a way of provoking
tensions in the region and derailing a session of the Joint Control Commission on Georgian-South Ossetian Conflict Resolution.[21]
Georgia immediately denounced the claim as absurdity. South Ossetian officials as well as two Georgian opposition politicians also
suggested that the Georgian authorities might have been behind the incident.[22][23][24]
Plane downing incident

Main article: 2007 Georgia plane downing incident
September 2007 controversy over the Russian ambassador's statement
On September 24, 2007, the Russian ambassador to Georgia, Vyacheslav Kovalenko, became embroiled in a controversy over his
statement at a televised informal meeting with Georgian intellectuals organized by the Tbilisi-based Russian-Georgian Friendship
Union in which he referred to the Georgian people as a "dying-out nation", and announced to the Georgians that they will soon
become extinct in the face of globalization while Russia is "a large country, a huge country. It can digest this. You, the Georgians,
will fail to digest this."[25] The statements sparked public outrage in Georgia and Kovalenko was summoned by Georgia's Ministry of
Foreign Affairs for explanations while the opposition factions in the Parliament of Georgia demanded the withdrawal of Kovalenko
from Georgia. Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson, Nino Burjanadze, responded to the ambassador’s prediction: "Maybe, certain
forces in Russia really want to see the extinction of Georgian nation, but this will not happen… I would advise Mr. Kovalenko to
think about Russia and its demographic problems and we will ourselves take care of Georgian problems, including the demographic
ones."[26][27]
Georgian demonstrations - alleged Russian involvement

Main article: 2007 Georgian demonstrations
In a televised address on the day of clashes between protesters and police in Tbilisi on November 7, 2007, Saakashvili said his
country faced "a very serious threat of unrest". "High ranking officials in Russian special services are behind this," he said, adding
that he had evidence. He said several Russian diplomats would be expelled from Georgia for engaging in "espionage". Earlier he had
recalled Georgia's ambassador to Moscow, Irakly Chubinishvili, for "consultations".[28][29] "Moscow regards the latest idiocy by
Georgian authorities as political irresponsible provocation. An appropriate response will be made, and Russia will remain true to its
commitments regarding assisting in the settlement of the Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts and the protection of
Russian nationals living there," the Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.[30]
2008 crisis
Main article: 2008 Georgia-Russia crisis
April 2008 Georgian drone downing incident

On April 20, 2008 a Georgian unmanned unarmed aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down over the Abkhazian conflict zone. Abkhazia's
separatist administration immediately said its own forces shot down the drone because it was violating Abkhaz airspace and breached
ceasefire agreements. Garry Kupalba, deputy defence minister of the unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia, told reporters the drone
had been shot down by an "L-39 aircraft of the Abkhaz Air Force". He also identified the drone as an Israeli-made Hermes 450.[31]
However, Georgia's defence ministry released video the next day showing what appears to be a Russian MiG-29 shooting down the
unarmed Georgian drone. The video, shot from the drone moments before impact, shows a jet launching a missile over what appears
to be the Black Sea. According to Georgia the jet came from Gudauta and then returned to Russia. Moscow denied Georgia’s
accusation and stressed that none of its planes were in the region at the time.[32][33] Furthermore, the Russian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs issued a statement accusing Georgia of violating the 1994 Moscow agreement and United Nations resolutions on Abkhazia by
deploying without authorisation a UAV (which also can be used to direct fire) in the Security Zone and the Restricted Weapons
Zone.[34] On April 24, a closed-door U.N. Security Council emergency session, convened at Georgia’s request, failed to resolve the
dispute, but the U.S., the United Kingdom, France and Germany issued a joint statement expressing their concern over Russia’s
recent moves in Abkhazia and calling Moscow to reverse or not to implement its decision to legalize the ties with Abkhazia and
South Ossetia. The Russian ambassador to the U.N. Vitaly Churkin called the demand by the Western states "a tall order" and
stressed that Russia had no intention of reversing its plans.[35] Although Moscow denies that a MiG-class fighter was involved in the
incident, the Russian envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, has suggested that a MiG-29 belonging to a NATO member might have
downed the Georgian spy plane. In response, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has reportedly remarked that he would
"eat his tie if it turned out that a NATO MiG-29 had magically appeared in Abkhazia and shot down a Georgian drone."[36] On May
26, 2008, the U.N. mission released the conclusion of its independent investigation into the incident. It confirmed that the Georgian
video footage and radar data were authentic and the jet which destroyed the drone was indeed Russian. The conclusion report said
that the jet flew towards the Russian territory after the incident, but it was unclear where the attacker took off, naming the Gudauta
base as a possible locality. The mission also noted that "a reconnaissance mission by a military aircraft, whether manned or
unmanned, constituted 'military action' and therefore contravened the ceasefire accord.[37] Georgia hailed the report,[38] but Russia
dismissed it.[39]
Military buildup in Abkhazia

The UAV incident triggered a new rise in tensions between the two countries. Russia accused Georgia of trying to exploit the NATO
support to solve the Abkhazia problem by force and of sending its troops in the Georgia-controlled upper Kodori Valley in northeast
Abkhazia. However, the U.N. monitors in Abkhazia stated earlier in April they did not observe any military buildup on either side of
the demilitarization line. On April 29, Russia announced it would increase its military presence in the region and threatened to
retaliate militarily against Georgia’s efforts. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, it has increased the number of its
37
peacekeepers in Abkhazia to 2,542 peacekeepers, which is 458 short of the 3,000 limit set by agreement.[40] The Georgian Prime
Minister Lado Gurgenidze said Georgia would treat any additional troops in Abkhazia as aggressors while President Saakashvili, in
his televised address, pledged to pursue only a peaceful line in the conflict areas and called upon the Abkhaz and Ossetians to unite
with Georgia in defying attempts by "outrageous and irresponsible external force to trigger bloodshed".[41] The European Union also
urged caution, saying to increase troop numbers would be "unwise" given current tensions, while the United States has called on
Russia "to reconsider some provocative steps" it had taken in respect of Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia.[42] Georgia also
suspended the talks regarding Russia's admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and threatened to veto the process.[43]
Georgian officials claim Russia is changing facts on the ground in order to make it impossible for NATO foreign ministers to give
Georgia a Membership Action Plan when they meet in December 2008.[44] In the meantime, the Russian Cossacks and North
Caucasian mountaineers declared their readiness to fight Georgia again in the case of a renewed confrontation in Abkhazia as they
did early in the 1990s.[45] On May 6, 2008, the Georgian state minister for reintegration Temur Iakobashvili said Georgia was on the
verge of war with Russia.[46] Georgia requested the U.N. mission to inquire into the number and deployment of the Russian
peacekeeping troops in Abkhazia. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the chief U.N. observer "agreed that actions by the
Russian side do not contradict basic agreements on the conduct of the peacekeeping operation", but the mission later responded to
this statement, declaring that it "has no authority to pronounce on the conformity between the CIS peacekeeping operation in the
Zone of the Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict and CIS rules."[47] Early in May 2008, both Russian and Abkhaz sides claimed that three more
Georgian reconnaissance drones were shot over Abkhazia, and declared that Georgia was preparing to mount an offensive into the
region in the near future. The Abkhaz foreign minister Sergei Shamba asked Russia to place Abkhazia unde r Russia's military
control in exchange for security guarantees.[48] Georgia denied these allegations, stating that it was "a provocation aimed at
propagandistic support of Russia’s military intervention."[49]
Russian involvement in South Ossetia

Main article: War in South Ossetia (2008)
On August 8, 2008, after Georgian troops tried to reclaim the breakaway province and launched an offensive involving heavy
bombing of Tskhinvali, Russian troops entered South Ossetia. Russian Troops also entered into Abkhazia. On August 10th, 2008
Russia entered Georgian territorial waters. Russia also entered into Georgian cities, and captured the main east west highway,
effectively cutting the country in two. Both sides agreed to a cease-fire on August 12th, 2008, but on August 13th, 2008 Russia
violated that cease-fire and sent troops and paramilitaries into the Georgian city of Gori.
Recognition of breakaway regions

On 25 August 2008, the Federal Assembly of Russia unanimously voted to urge President Medvedev to recognize Abkhazia and
South Ossetia as independent states.[50] On the following day, Medvedev agreed, signing a decree officially recognizing the two
entities.[51] Georgia has rejected this move outright as an annexation of its territory;[52] Western nations such as the United States and
Germany have also opposed such a decision.[53] In response to Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Georgian
government announced that the country was severing diplomatic relations with Russia.[54]
References
1. ^ Gvosdev, Nikolas K.: Imperial policies and perspectives towards Georgia: 1760-1819, Macmillan, Basingstoke 2000,
ISBN 0-312-22990-9, p. 85
2. ^ Avalov (1906), p. 186
3. ^ Gvosdev (2000), p. 86
4. ^ Lives and Legends of the Georgian Saints, St Vladimirs Seminary Pr; N.e.of 2r.e. edition (March 1997) by David
Marshall Lang, p. 249
5. ^ Lang (1997), p. 251
6. ^ Lang (1997), p. 247
7. ^ Lang (1997), p. 252
8. ^ Georgia breaks relations with Russia
9. ^ * OSCE Istanbul Document 1999
10. ^ BBC, Q&A: Russian-Georgian ties, 2 October 2006
11. ^ "Russia has lost its role as a mediator in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict"
12. ^ - "Georgian president proposes military reserve system for defense, disaster response"
13. ^ a b c Georgian Foreign Ministry accuses Russian peacemakers in inactivity in the conflict zone of Abkhazia
14. ^ FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2007:FREEDOM STAGNATION AMID PUSHBACK AGAINST DEMOCRACY, The
Freedom House. Retrieved on January 22, 2007.
15. ^ Russia Targets Georgians for Expulsion. The Human Rights Watch. October 1, 2007.
16. ^ Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Regarding Georgia's Lawsuit Against Russia
17. ^ Report Gives Some Details on Missile Strike. Civil Georgia. August 9, 2007.
18. ^ Russia and Georgia lock horns over missile.August 9, 2007.
19. ^ a b "Georgia accuses Russia of bombing village". The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-08-10.
20. ^ Georgia Says Russian Jets Intruded. Guardian Unlimited, August 7, 2007.
21. ^ "Russian Missile Reaches UN". Kommersant. Retrieved on 2007-08-10.
22. ^ "Georgia accuses Russia of provocation". Los Angeles Times (2007-08-08). Retrieved on 2007-08-09.
23. ^ "Natelashvili considers Tsitelubani incident to be provocation planned by government". Imedi TV (2007-08-08).
Retrieved on 2007-08-09.
24. ^ South Ossetia says it can prove Georgian plane violated airspace. RIA Novosti, August 8, 2007.
25. ^ RUSSIAN ENVOY CALLS GEORGIA "A DYING-OUT NATION". Eurasia Insight. 9/24/07.
26. ^ Tbilisi indignant at Russian ambassador predicting extinction of Georgian nation. Regnum.Ru. 09/24/2007.
27. ^ Row over Russian Envoy's 'Dying-Out Nation' Remarks. Civil Georgia. 2007-09-24.
28. ^ Al Jazeera English - News - Georgia Declares State Of Emergency
38
29. ^ BBC NEWS | Europe | Russia 'behind Georgia's unrest'

30. ^ RIA Novosti - World - Georgia's president issues state of emergency decree
31. ^ RIA Novosti - World - Georgian president accuses Russia of aggression
32. ^ RussiaToday : News : Georgia behind Abkhazia tensions: Putin
33. ^ BBC NEWS | Europe | Russia 'shot down Georgia drone'
34. ^ Комментарий Департамента информации и печати МИД России в связи с вопросами СМИ относительно
инцидента с грузинским беспилотным самолетом 20 апреля 2008 года (Commentary of the Department of the
Information and Press of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with the incident involving the Georgian
UAV on April 20, 2008), 22.04.2008 (Russian)
35. ^ Russia criticised over Abkhazia. The BBC News, 24 April 2008.
36. ^ Russia's Moves Add To Strains With Georgia. The Washington Post. May 1, 2008.
37. ^ Report of UNOMIG on the incident of 20 April involving the downing of a Georgian unmanned aerial vehicle over the
zone of conflict. UNOMIG. 2008-05-26.
38. ^ UN Probe Says Russian Jet Downed Georgian Drone. Civil Georgia. 2008-05-26.
39. ^ Russian Air Force Official Denies UN Probe Claim on Drone Downing. Civil Georgia. 2008-05-26.
40. ^ Russia Gives Some Details on Troop Increase in Abkhazia. Civil Georgia. May 9, 2008.
41. ^ Saakashvili Calls Abkhazians, Ossetians to Jointly Resist External Force. Civil Georgia. April 29, 2008.
42. ^ Russia Takes 'Provocative Steps' with Georgia – U.S. Civil Georgia. May 7, 2008.
43. ^ Georgia-Russia tensions ramped up.. The BBC News. April 30, 2008.
44. ^ Russia-Georgia Tensions Flare Up. The Wall Street Journal. April 30, 2008.
45. ^ (Russian) Казаки и кавказские горцы готовы помочь Абхазии. Pravda.ru. April 30, 2008.
46. ^ State Minister: Georgia ‘Very Close’ to War. Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 2008-05-06.
47. ^ UNOMIG Denies Military Buildup in Abkhaz Conflict Zone. Civil Georgia. May 8, 2008.
48. ^ Abkhazia seeks security guarantees from Russia. Itar-Tass. May 6, 2008.
49. ^ Abkhaz Claim Two Georgian Drones Downed, Tbilisi Denies. Civil Georgia. May 5, 2008.
50. ^ Russian MPs back Georgia's rebels, BBC, 2008-08-25. Accessed 2008-08-26.
51. ^ Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia, Azerbaijan Business Center, 2008-08-
26. Accessed 2008-08-26.
52. ^ Medvedev recognises Georgian states, Al Jazeera, 2008-08-26. Accessed 2008-08-26.
53. ^ Russia recognizes Georgia's breakaway republics, Russian News and Information Agency, 2008-08-26. Accessed 2008-
08-26.
54. ^ "Georgia breaks ties with Russia" BBC News. Accessed on August 29, 2008.
Vladimir Putin with Mikheil Saakashvili in 2006 - The Georgia-Russia border zone at Upper Lars has been closed since 2006
The 11th Red Army of the Russian SFSR occupies Tbilisi, 25 February 1921.
39
Modern Georgian Generals

Kote Abkhazi
(1867-1923)
Prince Konstantine "Kote" Abkhazi (Georgian: კონსტანტინე [კოტე] აბხაზი) (November 17, 1867-May 19, 1923), was a
Georgian military officer and politician. During the Imperial Russian rule, he was a general in the tsar's army, and a recognized
leader of the liberal nobility of Georgia. After the Sovietization of Georgia, he emerged as one of the leaders of an underground anti-
Soviet movement. In 1923, he was arrested and executed by the Soviet security police. Kote (Konstantine) Abkhazi was born in the
village of Kardenakhi, Kakheti, Georgia (then part of Imperial Russia) to a wealthy aristocratic family,[1] the son of Prince Nikoloz
(Niko) Abkhazi and Princess Nino née Chavchavadze, the sister of the prominent Georgian writer and public figure Ilia
Chavchavadze. Abkhazi graduated from the Tbilisi Cadet Corps and the St. Petersburg Military Academy and joined the Russian
army in 1890. Later, he was actively involved in Georgia's public life and sponsored several social and economic projects, including
the construction of the Kakhetian railway between 1906 and 1913. In 1913, he was elected the marshal of Georgian nobility, but he
was mobilized to an active service with the outbreak of the World War I in 1914. Being promoted to major general in 1914, he
commanded an artillery brigade from 1914 to 1916.
Revolution
Returning to Georgia, he was reelected the marshal and helped find the National Democratic Party of Georgia in 1917. Under his
leadership, Georgian nobility declared its property national. Abkhazi was involved in the establishment of Tbilisi State University in
February 1918 and in the proclamation of independence of the Democratic Republic of Georgia in May 1918. He was elected to the
Constituent Assembly of Georgia in 1919, and became a chairman of the National Democratic Party in 1920. Early in 1921, Georgia
was occupied by Soviet Russia's Red Army, forcing the Georgian government to flee the country. Abkhazi stayed in Georgia,
however, and joined the underground movement Committee for Independence of Georgia where he headed its Military Center. He
guided the organization of guerrilla groups in Pshavi-Khevsureti, and Kakheti (1921-23). However, in March 1923, Abkhazi and 14
other members of the Military Center (Alexandre Andronikashvili, Varden Tsulukidze, Giorgi Khimshiashvili, Rostom
Muskhelishvili, Mikheil Zandukeli, Simon Bagrationi-Mukhraneli, Parnaoz Karalashvili, Iason Kereselidze, Ivane Kutateladze,
Simon Chiabrishvili, Alexandre Machavariani, Elizbar Gulisashvili, Levan Klimiashvili and Dimitri Chrdileli) were arrested by the
GPU, and were shot for anti-Soviet activities on May 19, 1923. He is quoted to have said prior to the execution: I’m dying with joy,
because I’m given a honor to be sacrificed for Georgia. My death will bring victory to Georgia! Abkhazi’s son, Nicholas (died 1987)
and his Shanghai-born spouse Peggy Pemberton Carter (died 1994) moved to Canada and, beginning from 1946, built a well-known
"Abkhazi Garden" at Vancouver Island, Victoria, British Columbia.
Notes
1. ^ The Princes Abkhazi descended from the Anchabadze dynasty of Abkhazia whose member fled the Ottoman hegemony
over Abkhazia to Kakheti, where they were enfeoffed, in 1654, by King Teimuraz I with an estate at Kardebakhi, formerly
a possession of the extinct line of the Vachnadze house. Their title was recognised by the Russian Senate in 1826,
reconfirmed in 1850.
Literature
• (Georgian) U. Sidamonidze. Abkhazi, Konstantine. Encyclopedia "Sakartvelo", vol. I, Tbilisi, 1997: pp. 256-257
• (Georgian) Journal "Samshoblo", No: 21-22, Paris, 1937
• (Georgian) Journal "Mkhedari", Paris, No: 2, 1929, pp. 22-23
External links
• Mikaberidze, Alexander (ed., 2007). Abkhazi, Constantine. The Dictionary of Georgian National Biography.
40
Vasily Gabashvili
(1853-1933)
Vasily Gabashvili (Georgian: ვასილ გაბაშვილი), also known by his Russified name Vasily Davidovich Gabayev (Russian:
Василий Давидович Габаев) (1853 – 1933) was a Georgian military commander in the service of the Russian Empire and the
Democratic Republic of Georgia. Of a noble family, Gabashvili served as an officer in the Imperial Russian army and took part in the
1877-78 war with the Ottoman Empire. He then fought in World War I and was promoted to lieutenant general in 1916. He served as
a military commandant of Tiflis from 1916 until 1917 when he was appointed commander of the newly created Georgian Army
Corps which provided a basis for a future national Georgian army. He retained a top military post during Georgia’s short-lived
independence (1918-1921), but retired after the Soviet takeover in 1921.[1]
References
1. ^ (Russian) Javakhishvili, Niko (2003), Грузины под Российским Флагом: Грузинские военные и государственные
деятели на службе России в 1703-1917 (Georgians under the Russian Banner), p. 95. Tbilisi State University Press.
Abel Makashvili
(1860-1920)
Abel Makashvili (Georgian: აბელ მაყაშვილი) also known as Avel Gavrilovich Makaev (Russian: Авель Гаврилович Макаев)
(June 6 1860 – June 1920) was a Georgian prince and soldier who served successively in the Russian, Georgian and Azerbaijani
militaries and was killed by the Bolsheviks upon their conquest of Azerbaijan in 1920.Born of an old Georgian noble family,
Makashvili graduated from Elizavetgrad military progymnasium and Kazan infantry junker school. He joined the Imperial Russian
army in 1877 and commanded Bash-Kadyklar infantry regiment since 1910. He was promoted to major-general in 1914 and put in
charge of the 16th Mingrelian grenadier regiment from 1914 to 1917. After Georgia’s declaration of independence from Russia,
Makashvili joined the national Georgian army. He served as a governor-general and military commandant of Tiflis in the years 1918-
1920. Early in 1920, he was invited by the government of independent Azerbaijan to head a military school at Ganja. After
Sovietization of Azerbaijan in April 1920, Makashvili was arrested by the Soviet authorities and drowned in the Caspian Sea.[1]
Makashvili’s sons also served in the military. One of them, Vakhtang, commanded the Georgian Air Force and died during the Red
Army invasion in 1921.[1][2]
References
1. ^ a b (Russian) Javakhishvili, Niko (2003), Грузины под Российским Флагом: Грузинские военные и государственные
2. ^ Grebelsky, P. Kh., Dumin, S. V., Lapin, V. V. (1993), Дворянские роды Российской империи (Noble families of
Russian Empire), vol. 1., p. 169. IPK Vesti.
Ilia Odishelidze
(1865-?)
Ilia Odishelidze (Georgian ილია ოდიშელიძე), also known as Ilya Zurabovich Odishelidze (Илья Зурабович Одишелидзе) in
Russian manner (born 25 March 1865 - ?), was a Georgian military leader who had also served as a general of the Imperial Russian
army. Born in Georgia, then part of the Russian Empire, he graduated from the 3rd Alexander’s School (1887) and the General Staff
Academy in St Petersburg (1894). The next ten years were spent in military work in various regions of the empire. He took part in the
Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905) in the capacity of a chief of staff of the 6th Eastern Siberian Division. He served, from 9 November
1911 to 9 January 1914, a governor general of Samarkand and was moved afterwards as a chief of staff of the Turkestan Military
District. Promoted to lieutenant general on 11 October 1914, he held various commanding posts in the 1st and 3rd armies from
November 1914 to the fall of 1917. On October 2 1917 he was appointed the commander-in-chief of the Caucasus army. In January
1918 he was in command at Erzurum. After the total collapse of the Tsarist administration in the Caucasus, he resigned as a
commander and helped to organize national Georgian divisions. In March 1918, he served as deputy minister of war for the
Transcaucasian Transcaucasian Commissariat, but was sacked for his nationalistic sentiments. After Georgia’s declaration of
independence (May 26 1918), he held various important posts in the national armed forces and served as the commander-in-chief of
army from the Fall of 1920 to February 1921.
References
• Одишелидзе, Илья Зурабович(ru
41
Giorgi Tsulukidze (+1923)

Prince Giorgi Tsulukidze (Georgian: გიორგი წულუკიძე, Russian: Георгий Давидович Цулукидзе) (? – 1923) was a Georgian
military officer and anti-Soviet resistance leader. Of a noble family, Tsulukidze served in the Imperial Russian army. During World
War I, he was promoted to the rank of major-general and commanded a brigade in the 5th rifle division from 1916 to 1917. On
January 7, 1916, Giorgi Tsulukidze was awarded the Order of St. George (Fourth Degree). He then served in the military of a newly
independent Democratic Republic of Georgia after whose fall to the Soviets (1921) he was involved in an underground independence
movement. Tsulukidze was arrested by Cheka along with his associates and shot at the outskirts of Tbilisi on May 19, 1923.[1]
References
Varden Tsulukidze
(1865-1920)
Varden Tsulukidze (Georgian: ვარდენ წულუკიძე) (1865 – 1923) was a Georgian military commander and anti-Soviet resistance
leader.Of a noble family, Tsulukidze served in the Imperial Russian army and was promoted to the rank of major-general in World
War I. He then commanded a brigade in a newly independent Democratic Republic of Georgia after whose fall to the Soviets (1921)
he became one of the leaders of an underground independence movement. Tsulukidze was arrested by the Cheka along with his
associates and shot at the outskirts of Tbilisi on May 19, 1923.[1][2]
References
2. ^ Lang, David Marshall (1962), A Modern History of Georgia, p. 241. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.
Alexander Andronikashvili
(1871-1923)
Alexander Andronikashvili (Georgian: ალექსანდრე ანდრონიკაშვილი) also known as Andronikov (1871 – 1923) was a
Georgian military commander and anti-Soviet resistance leader. Of an old noble family, Andronikashvili served in the Imperial
Russian army and was promoted to the rank of general in World War I. He then served in the military of a newly independent
Democratic Republic of Georgia after whose fall to the Soviets (1921) he became one of the leaders of an underground independence
movement. Andronikashvili was arrested by the Cheka along with his associates and shot at the outskirts of Tbilisi on May 19,
1923.[1]
References
^ Lang, David Marshall (1962), A Modern History of Georgia, p. 241. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
42
Giorgi Kvinitadze
(1874-1970)
Giorgi Kvinitadze (Georgian: გიორგი კვინიტაძე; Russian: Георгий Иванович Квинитадзе, Georgy Ivanovich Kvinitadze; his
real surname was Chikovani, ჩიქოვანი) (1874–1970) was a Georgian military commander who rose from an officer in the Imperial
Russian army to commander-in-chief of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. After sovietization of Georgia, Kvinitadze went into
exile to France, where he wrote his memoirs of the 1917-1921 events in Georgia.
Biography
Born into the family of a colonel of the Russian army in Dagestan, Kvinitadze entered the Tiflis (Tbilisi) Cadet Corps in 1884, and
then continued his military education at St Constantine Infantry School, St Petersburg. In 1894, he enlisted in the 153rd Vladikavkaz
regiment and then served in Poland. Having fought in the Japanese war (1904–1905), he graduated, in 1910, from the General Staff
Academy and was enlisted in the Caucasian Military District headquarters as a captain. During the World War I, in 1916, he was
promoted to colonel and appointed a chief of staff of the 4th Caucasian Riffle Division. After the Russian Revolution of 1917,
Kvinitadze, now major general, served as a Deputy Minister of War for the provisional Transcaucasus Commissariat and was for a
short period of time commander of the Transcaucasian forces before becoming the Commander in Chief of the army of a newly
independent Georgia in 1918. He resigned shortly thereafter due to his disagreement with the Menshevik leadership of the country.
Later that year, however, he returned to military service in the capacity of Chief of Staff during the war with Armenia. In 1919, he
commanded the Georgian troops that defeated Muslim revolutionaries in the Akhaltsikhe province, and occupied, on April 20, 1919,
the hitherto Turkish-held city of Artvin. He helped to establish a military school in Tiflis and served as its Commandant before being
made Commander-in-Chief of Georgian army again early in May 1920, when the Bolsheviks attempted a coup d’etat. He happened
still to be on the spot when the Bolsheviks assaulted the military school as a preliminary to a coup. Kvinitadze, with his cadets, put
up a stout resistance and successfully defended the building. Days later, he, in the head of the Georgian army, rolled back an attempt
by the Soviet Russian troops to penetrate from Azerbaijan. During the Red Army invasion of Georgia of 1921, he was reappointed
the Commander-in-Chief. After Georgia’s defeat in the war in March 1921, he had to leave for France, where he died on August 7,
1970. He was buried at the Georgian Cemetery of Leuville-sur-Orge. A street in Tbilisi, where the headquarters of Georgia’s
Ministry of Defense are located, has been named after Kvinitadze since 2006.[1] Kvinitadze fathered three daughters, of whom the
youngest, Nano, married a Dutchman d’Abo; they are the parents of the British/French actress and former Bond Girl, Maryam d'Abo.
Memoirs
Kvinitadze’s Russian-language book My Memoirs from the Years of Independence of Georgia, 1917–1921 (Мои воспоминания в
годы независимости Грузии, 1917-1921) first appeared in Paris in 1985 and was published in a Georgian translation in 1998.
Writing most of the memoir in 1922, a year after the loss of Georgia’s sovietization, Kvinitadze provides new details and personal
observations about the troubled years of 1917-1921. In addition to being a military chronicle written by a participant of those events,
Kvinitadze’s memoirs are a political commentary, directing harsh criticism at the Mensheviks, accusing them of undermining the
state and alienating the Georgian people with their socialist and internationalist rhetoric, incompetence and failure to defend the
country against the anticipated foreign intervention.[2] Along with Zurab Avalishvili’s historical works, Kvinitadze’s memoirs are
considered one of the best firsthand accounts of Georgia’s short-lived independence written abroad.[3]
References
1. ^ Khvamli Street named after General Kvinitadze (April 12, 2006). Ministry of Defense of Georgia. Retrieved on 2008-06-01.
2. ^ Hovannisian, Richard G. Moi vospominaniia v gody nezavisimosti Gruzii, 1917-1921 by G. I. Kvinitadze. Russian
Review, Vol. 46, No. 1 (Jan., 1987), p. 99.
3. ^ Rayfield, Donald (2000), The Literature of Georgia: A History, p. 314. Routledge, ISBN 0-7007-1163-5.
43
Giorgi Mazniashvili
(1872-1937)
Giorgi Mazniashvili (Georgian: გიორგი მაზნიაშვილი) (1872 -1937) was a Georgian general and one of the most prominent
military figures in the Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918-1921). During the service in the Russian army, he was also known by a
Russian transliteration of his surname – Mazniev. He was born in 1872 in the village Sasireti (present day Shida Kartli region,
Georgia; then part of the Imperial Russia). Having taken a proper military education, he was later promoted to general of the Russian
army. Wounded in the Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905), he was visited at a hospital by the Tsar Nicholas II, who awarded him St
George’s Cross and invited the general to the palace. He fought also on the battlefields of the World War I, but returned to Georgia
after the February Revolution, 1917. He formed two national divisions and secured the capital Tbilisi from the chaotically retreating
and increasingly Bolshevist Russian soldiers. In April 1918, he successfully defended the southwestern province Guria from the
Ottoman offensive winning a victory on the Choloki River. In June 1918, he served as a governor general of Abkhazia and crushed
there a pro-Bolshevik revolt; then he took Gagra, Sochi and Tuapse in the first phase of the Sochi conflict. From October to
December 1918, he served as a governor general of Tbilisi. During the December Georgian-Armenian war 1918, he was appointed a
commander-in-chief and successfully defended the Georgian borders from the troops of General Dro. In 1919 he served as a
governor general of Akhaltsikhe and Akhalkalaki and was moved, on October 6 1920, as a commandant in Tbilisi. During the Soviet
invasion of February 1921, he repulsed the Red Army from the Soghanlughi heights at the outskirts of Tbilisi. The war, however,
was lost. Mazniashvili did not follow the country’s leaders in exile, but mobilized the remnants of the Georgian armed forces to
recover the Black Sea city of Batumi from the Turkish occupation, March 1921. The newly established Soviet government of
Georgia declared him outlaw, but later offered him a nominal post in the Red Army. In 1923, during the Red Terror, he was arrested
and exiled to Persia whence he moved to France. Subsequently many claimed, though apparently unfairly, that it was him who
informed the Soviets about the planned national uprising in Georgia (1924). In a few years, he was allowed to return and he lived in
his native village Sasireti, far from political life. During the Great Purges, however, he was arrested and executed without a trial,
1937. He was the author of the popular Soldier’s Memoirs.
Leo Keresselidze
(1885-1944)
Leo Keresselidze or Kereselidze (Georgian: ლეო კერესელიძე) (1885 – 1944) was a Georgian military figure, politician and
journalist involved in the Georgian national movement against the Russian and later Soviet domination. Early in his twenties,
Keresselidze was involved in the Russian Revolution of 1905 and took part in attacks against Russian officials and military as well as
in the running of a cargo of guns to the port of Sukhum-Kale. He subsequently moved to Western Europe and obtained a Ph.D.
degree from the University of Geneva. In 1913, he joined a group of Georgian patriots in the Committee of Independent Georgia, and
engaged in journalism, co-editing with his brother Georges Keresselidze a Geneva-based Georgian newspaper Tavisupali Sakartvelo
(“Free Georgia”) from 1913 to 1914, and then working for a Berlin-based Kartuli Gazeti (“Georgian Newspaper”) from 1916 to
1918. In 1914, at the eve of World War I, the Committee moved to Germany and sought the German aid in restoring the
independence of Georgia from Russia. Keresselidze led a military unit of Georgian volunteers, the Georgian Legion, which fought on
the German side and was transferred to the Ottoman-Russian Caucasus front. Keresselidze tried to negotiate an alliance with the
Ottoman Empire, but refused to accept its suzerainty over a potentially independent Georgia.[1] He was subsequently promoted to
major general, but the Legion was disbanded due to his disagreement with the Ottoman government. Keresselidze was then involved
in diplomacy between Georgians and Germans, and staging subversions against the Russian troops. After the collapse of the Russian
armies in the Caucasus and the proclamation of Georgian independence in May 1918, Keresselidze was able to his own country and
helped create national army divisions. The 1921 Red Army invasion of Georgia forced him into exile to Germany where he was
among the founding members and a secretary general of the right-leaning nationalist organization Tetri Giorgi. Not long before his
death, he helped establish a new political organization of Georgian émigrés, the Union of Georgian Traditionalists. Keresselidze’s
revolutionary career is the subject of a fictionalized biography Unending Battle (London, 1934) by the British army officer and writer
Harold Courtenay Armstrong (1891-1943).[2]
References
1. ^ Strachan, Hew (2001), The First World War, p. 718. Oxford University Press, ISBN 0199261911.
2. ^ Smele, Jonathan D. (2006), The Russian Revolution and Civil War, 1917-1921: An Annotated Bibliography, p. 467.
Continuum International Publishing Group, ISBN 0826490670.
44
Geno Adamia
(1936-1993)
Geno Adamia (Georgian: გენო ადამია) (March 8, 1936 – September 28, 1993) was a Georgian military commander who fell
during the war in Abkhazia, Georgia. A native of Sukhumi, Abkhazia, he engaged, immediately after the outbreak of the hostilities in
1992, in the struggle with the Abkhaz separatists who fought for the secession of Georgia’s autonomous republic of Abkhazia, where
the Georgians constituted 45.7% of the population. Adamia organized a large volunteer detachment of the citizens of Sukhumi and
was actively involved in the defence of the city against the combined Abkhaz-North Caucasian forces aided by the Russian navy and
aviation. He was soon promoted to Major General and appointed the commander of the 23rd Mechanized Brigade of the Ministry of
Defence of Georgia. One of the most energetic and popular Georgian commanders, he refused to surrender when Sukhumi fell on
September 27, 1993. With a tiny force, he continued to fight in the vicinities of Sukhumi and was killed in the action at the Kelasuri
Bridge on September 28. His friends ransomed his body which was buried in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, in November 1993. The
Georgian society, especially the IDPs from Abkhazia, marked the 70th anniversary of his birth on March 8, 2006.
External links
• (Russian) ГРУЗИЯ ОТМЕТИЛА 70-ЛЕТНЮЮ ГОДОВЩИНУ СО ДНЯ РОЖДЕНИЯ ГЕНЕРАЛ-МАЙОРА ГЕНО
АДАМИЯ
Mamia Alasania (+1993)

Mamia Alasania (Georgian: მამია ალასანია) was a commanding General of the Georgian interior forces who was killed during the
Sukhumi Massacre, along with Zhiuli Shartava, Guram Gabiskiria and others on September 27, 1993. Born and raised in Sukhumi,
Alasania joined the Georgian forces during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. His son, Irakli Alasania became an envoy of the President
of Georgia at the Georgian-Abkhaz talks.
Badri Bitsadze (1960)

Badri Bitsadze (Georgian: ბადრი ბიწაძე) (born April 27, 1960) is the former Chief of the Border Police of Georgia.[1] He holds
the rank of Lieutenant General,[1] and previously held the posts of Chief Military Prosecutor, Deputy General Prosecutor, and Deputy
Minister of Internal Affairs.[2][3] He is married to the former Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia and the twice former interim
President of Georgia, Nino Burjanadze. Bitsadze has been involved in several controversies allegedly concerning separation of
powers[4] and charges he made of corruption involving military funds,[5][6] as well as charges of blackmail levelled against him by
opposition elements.[2] Bitsadze attended Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Law and received a Ph.D from USSR Scientific Institute
for Prosecutors. He's a recipient of the III Degree Vakhtang Gorgasali Order award.[1] Bitsadze resigned his position on October 29,
2008, claiming that a campaign to discredit the agency was underway because his wife, the former parliamentary chairperson, had
withdrawn into opposition to the current government.[7]
References
1. ^ a b c MIA Border Police Of Georgia
2. ^ a b The Georgian Times on the Web: Comprehensive news site, daily international, national and local news coverage ,
breaking news updates, sports, reviews
3. ^ July 19, 2005 - Ambassador Richard Miles Participates In National Coast Guard Day At Poti Harbor
4. ^ Central Asia - Caucasus Analyst
5. ^ The Jamestown Foundation
6. ^ RFE/RL Newsline, Vol. 3, No. 13, 00-01-19
7. ^ Chief of Border Police Resigns. Civil Georgia. 2008-10-29.
45
Tengiz Kitovani (1938)
Tengiz Kitovani (Georgian: თენგიზ კიტოვანი) (born June 9, 1938) is a retired Georgian politician and military commander with
high-profile involvement in the Georgian Civil War early in the 1990s when he commanded the National Guard of Georgia and
served as a Defense Minister until being gradually sidelined by Eduard Shevardnadze who had earlier been invited to lead the nation
after a successful coup d'etat launched by Kitovani and his allies against President Zviad Gamsakhurdia.
Early life and career
Born in Tbilisi, Kitovani graduated from the Tbilisi Fine Arts Academy and taught at a boarding school in the town of Tetritsq'aro,
and then worked as a main painter for the Tbilisi State Advertising Bureau between 1967 and 1969. Kitovani entered the national
politics early in 1990 when the independence movement reached its climax in then-Soviet Georgia. Elected to the Supreme Council
of Georgia the same year, he was closely associated with Zviad Gamsakhurdia, a Soviet-era dissident who went on to become the
chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Council and eventually the President of Georgia in 1991. In December 1990,
Gamsakhurdia decreed the creation of the National Guard of Georgia and appointed Kitovani as its head. However, the two men
collided in August 1991, when Gamsakhurdia sacked him as National Guard commander. Kitovani subsequently claimed that
Gamsakhurdia was intending to disband the National Guard, and had been ordered to do so by the leaders of the Moscow Putsch who
had briefly taken power in the Soviet Union, but did not produce the documents he claimed to possess confirming this. Kitovani
refused to accept his dismissal and left Tbilisi with most of his troops to entrench himself in the Rkoni Gorge. This was the beginning
of the end for Gamsakhurdia, whose inflexible politics forced many of his former supporters into opposition.[1]
Military coup and civil war
The confrontation between pro- and anti-Gamsakhurdia factions quickly degenerated into a series of strikes and armed clashes, and
eventually, Kitovani, joined by Gamsakhurdia’s former Prime Minister Tengiz Sigua and the paramilitary leader Jaba Ioseliani,
launched a violent coup in December 1991. Ioseliani, as well as Gamsakhurdia’s supporters and some independent observers,
claimed that Kitovani hired some Soviet/Russian troops stationed in Tbilisi to join the attack on the government.[2] Gamsakhurdia had
been forced into exile by January 6, 1992, and the coup leaders invited the former Soviet foreign minister Eduard Shevardnadze to
head the post-coup provisional government – the State Council – in March 1992. As a result of the power-sharing arrangement that
was eventually struck between Ioseliani, Kitovani, Sigua and Shevardnadze, Kitovani remained the commander of the National
Guard and retained a considerable influence on decision making. In May 1992, Shevardnadze appointed Kitovani Minister of
Defence in an effort to bring the National Guard under central control. However, both Kitovani and Ioseliani were reluctant to
concede power to Shevardnadze and tended to engage in unilateral actions, and in doing so frequently conflicted with each other.[3]
The first and most obvious of such actions was taken by Kitovani during a planned military operation against Gamsakhurdia’s
supporters who had formed pockets of armed resistance in western Georgia and had taken Georgian government officials hostage. On
the night of August 13, 1992, Kitovani’s force entered the autonomous republic of Abkhazia, whose leadership had taken a series of
steps towards secession from Georgia, in order to establish control over the region’s railways sabotaged by Gamsakhurdia's loyal
militias. Although this operation and show of force resulted in the eventual release of the hostages, Kitovani, acting most probably on
his own initiative, proceeded towards Abkhazia’s capital of Sukhumi and forced the Abkhaz leaders into flight.[4] Shevardnadze
failed to have Kitovani’s force withdrawn from Abkhazia and the country became involved in a thirteen-month-long war which
would end in Georgia’s loss of control over most of Abkhazia. Another version of these events, often quoted in Georgia, says that
Russia, while supporting the Abkhaz, also instigated Kitovani to trigger the conflict and perhaps even promised support for his
leadership ambitions in Georgia after a successful operation.[5] Later, Shevardnadze would accuse Kitovani of provoking an armed
conflict in Abkhazia, claiming that Kitovani disavowed his order and advance with his military to Sukhumi.[6][7] Kitovani however
blamed Shevardnadze for preventing him from following up an offensive on Sukhumi with an attack on the Abkhaz stronghold in
Gudauta, home to a Russian military base which supplied the secessionist forces with instructors and munitions.[8] Shevardnadze’s
successor as President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, has also accused Kitovani of being a "Russian agent" and blamed him for the
loss of Abkhazia.[9]
46
Conflict with Shevardnadze
During the war in Abkhazia, Kitovani developed a power centre rivalling Shevardnadze’s and on several occasions challenged
Shevardnadze, now Head of State, on defence matters, suggesting that he should be responsible only for foreign policy.[10][11]
Kitovani stood as a candidate in Georgia's parliamentary elections of October 11, 1992 and was elected in the single-mandate
constituency of Bolnisi.[12] In the aftermath of the elections, Shevardnadze attempted to replace him as Minister of Defence with a
professional soldier, General Anatoli Kamkamidze, but was unable to do so. Amid persistent rumors that he was planning a new
military coup, Kitovani was finally forced into resignation in May 1993 – though a protégé, Gia Karkarashvili, was named as his
replacement, and he was able to retain some of his power – partly, according to widespread rumours in Tbilisi, through his control
over Georgia’s "energy mafia"[13] and his "special relationship" with Russian defence minister Pavel Grachev.[14] However,
Shevardnadze was able to exploit the military setback in Abkhazia to embark on a crackdown on the paramilitary groups and
ultimately their leaders.[15] After the pro-Gamsakhurdia rebellion had been quashed with Russian aid by December 1993,
Shevardnadze was able to increasingly consolidate his power and deprive both Kitovani and Ioseliani of influence over national
security policy.[16] After spending some time in Russia, Kitovani returned to Tbilisi and, together with Tengiz Sigua and Boris
Kakubava, leader of a faction of ethnic Georgian IDPs from Abkhazia, founded the National Front for the Liberation of Abkhazia in
the autumn of 1994.[17] On January 13, 1995, Kitovani, with the support of Tengiz Sigua, led a force of some 700 lightly armed
supporters in a march against Abkhazia. They were stopped by Georgian police and arrested.[18] Kitovani was tried for having
organized an unlawful armed force and sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in October 1996. He served four years of his eight-
year term and was pardoned by Shevardnadze on medical grounds on May 22, 1999.[19]
Emigration
Since early 2000s, Kitovani has lived in Moscow from where he harshly criticized the Shevardnadze government on several
occasions. In February 2002, he responded scandalously to the mysterious suicide of Nugzar Sajaia, Shevardnadze’s close ally and an
influential Chairman of Georgia’s National Security Council, making allegations that Sajaia was a homosexual and had ordered the
2001 murder of journalist Giorgi Sanaia.[20] Later that year, Kitovani accused Shevardnadze of being behind the 2002 assassination of
Kakhi Asatiani, a businessman and former soccer star. He also upheld Russia’s claims that some 700 Chechen fighters had spent that
winter in Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge.[21] He further claimed that Russian General Gennady Shpigun, abducted and killed in Chechnya in
1999/2000, was in fact held captive and put to death in Pankisi, with the body then taken to southern Chechnya. Georgia dismissed
all these claims, however.[22] Georgian Prosecutor-General Nugzar Gabrichidze claimed that Kitovani had been in close contact with
National Guard veterans who staged a failed mutiny on March 23, 2003.[23] Kitovani, however, denied any links with the mutiny.[24]
Notes
1. ^ Wheatley (2005), pp. 54-5.
2. ^ Wheatley (2005), p. 65.
3. ^ Wheatley (2005), pp. 68-70.
4. ^ Wheatley (2005), pp. 72-3.
5. ^ Cornell, Svante E., Autonomy and Conflict: Ethnoterritoriality and Separatism in the South Caucasus – Case in Georgia, p. 183, n. 18.
Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Report No. 61. Uppsala. ISBN 91-506-1600-5.
6. ^ Tunç Aybak (2001), Politics of the Black Sea: Dynamics of Cooperation and Conflict, p. 189. I.B.Tauris, ISBN 1860644546.
7. ^ Eduard Shevardnadze accuses Tengiz Kitovani of provoking war in Abkhazia. The Georgian Times, August 14, 2007.
8. ^ Parrott (1995), p. 217.
9. ^ Saakashvili Says No to Treaty on Non-Use of Force. Civil Georgia, March 15, 2008.
10. ^ Darchiashvili (2005), p. 6.
11. ^ Parrott (1995), p. 216.
12. ^ Wheatley (2005), p. 75.
13. ^ Dawisha & Parott (1997), pp. 166-7.
14. ^ Dmitri Trenin, "Russia's Security Interests and Policies in the Caucasus Region", in: Bruno Coppieters (ed., 1996), Contested Borders in
the Caucasus. VUB University Press.
15. ^ Georgia puts Kitovani on trial while Ioseliani awaits same. The Jamestown Foundation Monitor Volume 1, Issue 163, December 28,
1995.
16. ^ Wheatley (2005), p. 79.
17. ^ J. F. Brown (ed., 1997), The OMRI Annual Survey of Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union - "1996: Forging Ahead, Falling
Behind," pp. 227-230. M.E. Sharpe, ISBN 1563249251.
18. ^ Wheatley (2005), p. 87.
19. ^ Kitovani released from prison. The Jamestown Foundation Monitor Volume 5, Issue 102, May 26, 1999.
20. ^ Irakly Areshidze, Nugzar Sajaia, Shevardnadze’s closest confidant, commits suicide. Central Asian-Caucasus Institute Analyst, February
27, 2002.
21. ^ Sergei Blagov, Military issues block Russia-Georgia détente. Eurasianet, January 6, 2003.
22. ^ Georgia Denies Kidnapped Russian General was Detained in Pankisi. Civil Georgia, March 28, 2002.
23. ^ Georgian National Guard veterans seize military base. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Newsline, cited in: Hellenic Resources
Network. March 24, 2003.
24. ^ Veterans' Failed Mutiny Unsettles Georgian Politicians. Civil Georgia, March 25, 2003.
References
• Jonathan Wheatley (2005), Georgia from National Awakening to Rose Revolution: Delayed Transition in the Former Soviet Union.
Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., ISBN 0754645037.
• Bruce Parrott (1995), State Building and Military Power in Russia and the New States of Eurasia. M.E. Sharpe, ISBN 1563243601.
• Karen Dawisha, Bruce Parrott (1997), Conflict, Cleavage, and Change in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Cambridge University Press,
ISBN 0521597315.
• David Darchiashvili, "Georgian Defense Policy and Military Reform", in: Bruno Coppieters (2005), Statehood and Security: Georgia After
the Rose Revolution. MIT Press, ISBN 0262033437.
47
Zaza Gogava
Zaza Gogava (Georgian: ზაზა გოგავა) (born July 14, 1971) is a brigadier general of the Georgian army who was a Chief of Joint
Staff of the Armed Forces of Georgia between November 2006 and November 2008. Gogava graduated from the Tbilisi State
Technical University in 1994 and began his career in the special task group "Omega" within Georgia's security services in 1995. He
has since served in various counterterrorist units and special forces subdivisions, and was further trained in the United States between
1995 and 2002. Gogava was placed in command of the Counterterrorism Division of Special Operations Center in 2003 and the élite
Police Special Tasks Division named after General G. Gulua in 2004. He was appointed Commander of Special Forces Brigade of
the Ministry of Defence of Georgia in 2004 and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Georgia in 2006. After the
reshuffle within the Ministry of Defense in November 2006, Gogava became the Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of
Georgia.[1] Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili replaced Gogava in November 2008, saying "shortcomings" during a war with
Russia need addressing. Gogava has been appointed as chief of Border Police, replacing Badri Bitsadze, who has earlier announced
his resignation.[2]
References
1. ^ Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Georgia. Ministry of Defense of Georgia. Accessed on April 2, 2008.
2. ^ http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=19885
Mamuka Kurashvili
Mamuka Kurashvili (Georgian: მამუკა ყურაშვილი) is a brigadier general of the Georgian army who has been the chief of a staff
of peacekeeping operations in Georgia's conflict zones in Abkhazia and South Ossetia since May 5, 2007. Prior to that, he
commanded the Georgian peacekeeping battalion in structure of the Mixed Peacekeeping Forces in the Georgian–Ossetian conflict
zone. On August 7, 2008, he said on Rustavi 2 television that Georgian forces were moving to "establish constitutional order in the
Ossetian region." He later described the claims as "not authorised by seniors" and "impulsive" and "not prepared". He was
reprimanded by Georgian Defence Ministry after the statement(Civil.ge). He was wounded during the 2008 South Ossetia war.
References
• Biography of Mamuka Kurashvili
• (Russian)Mamuka Kurashvili

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Georgian Armed Forces

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Land Forces – Navy – Air Force – National Guard

Georgian Armed Forces

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Omega Special Task Force

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კახა კაციტაძე ...presa.ge

Georgian BTR-80s. - Georgian 152mm SpGH DANA|VZ 77 Dana

Ministry of Defence – General Staff – Army Staff

erovnuli uSiSroebis sabWo - saxelmwifo uSiSroeba

qvedanayofi "alfa", qvedanayofi "delta", qvedanayofi "omega" (2007)

Foreign Intelligence department

sagareo dazvervis specialuri samsaxuris 2008 © Jens Pattke

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2007 2003 2004

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Brigade

13th SF battalion – Commandos Battalion - National Training Center "krwanisi", 2007

GEORGIAN ORDERS AND DECORATIONS

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Former Flags of the Georgian Navy 1997-2004

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