MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF GEORGIA
Farewell ceremony for Georgia and ISAF’s
peacekeeping mission new strategy
The 31st battalion of the
Georgian armed forces (com-
posed of 750 soldiers) is head-
ing to Afghanistan. The Geor-
gian soldiers will take part in the
NATO-led ISAF peacekeeping
mission in the province of Hel-
mand. The Georgian peace con-
tingent will operate as part of a
U.S. battalion.
A farewell ceremony was
held at the Vaziani military base.
The event was attended by De-
fence Minister Bacho Akhalaia,
Chief of the JS Maj. Gen. Devi
Tchankodaze, State Minister on
European and Euro-Atlantic In-
tegration Giorgi Baramidze, par-
liamentary members and other
military top officials. Among the
foreign guests there was the del-
egation from the United States
including U.S. Ambassador to
Georgia John R. Bass, Com-
mander of the U.S. Marine Corps
Forces Lieut. Gen. Richard F.
Natonski and Commander of the
U.S. Marine Corps Forces in
Europe Brigadier Gen. Paul W.
Brier.
During the ceremony Lieut.
Gen. Richard F. Natonski and
Deputy Chief of the JS Col. Ar-
sen Tsukhishvili addressed the
Georgian soldiers. The U.S.
commander expressed his grati-
tude to the Georgian people,
government and armed forces for
the sustained and active support
in international security opera-
tions.
“It is a great honour for us
that Georgian and American
peacekeepers will serve in the
mission shoulder by shoulder,”
Lieut. Gen. Natonski said.
In his speech Arsen Tsukhish-
vili said: “We firmly believe the
Georgian battalion will be able
to accomplish the mission with
dignity and professionally.”
“Any sort of military opera-
tion in itself is a difficult task and
the role of soldiers in this entire
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
affair is hard and burdensome.
As regards the preparedness lev-
el of the battalion personnel, we
all are too satisfied with the
achieved results. The Georgian
soldiers were re-trained by U.S.
marines and are ready for spe-
cial peacekeeping operations in
Afghanistan. I believe that this
battalion will be one of the best
ones,” Georgia’s defence minis-
ter told journalists.
U.S. Ambassador John Bass
also made comments and ex-
pressed appreciation for the
Georgia’s sustained support in
the NATO-led peace support
mission.
“Yesterday, the President of
the United States Barak Obama
had a telephone conversation
with the Georgian president and
thanked him personally for such
kind of rigorous contribution to
international security and stabil-
ity. This step from Georgia is
another demonstration of inten-
sive bilateral partnership be-
tween the two countries,” he
said.
Towards the end of the cere-
mony, the 31st battalion was
handed a special flag. On their
way to Afghanistan the soldiers
APRIL 2010 ISSUE #34
The head of the Strategy and Development Institute Andro Bar- representative. Our coordinator
nov presented his report titled, “International Community Assess- and supervisor was an escort of-
ment of the Afghanistan Mission,” at the Ministry of Defence. He ficer from Brussels. The main
introduced the evaluations of international experts of the mission to goal of the trip was to get more
ministry’s civil and military high-ranking officials. Barnov was among information about the ISAF mis-
the experts who participated in a tour in Afghanistan under the aegis sion and to evaluate NATO’s
of NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division on March19-28. The aim of new strategy in Afghanistan.
the visit was to provide comprehensive information about the security Unfortunately, NATO’s new
situation in Afghanistan to the experts and researchers. In their turn, strategy is known to few people
they will inform society about the ongoing developments in the re- in the world but at the same time
gion. the success of the mission de-
The Georgian expert was invited to the MoD to hold a briefing. He pends mostly on public opinion.
talked about Georgia’s involvement in ISAF and the international We should mention that the new
community’s attitude towards the ongoing peacekeeping processes. policy has marked a significant
Barnov introduced his views regarding the future prospects of the progress. NATO acknowledges
regional development and the internal political issues of Afghani- how important is to provide in-
stan. He also described the situation in the Helmand and Kandahar formation to the people and that
provinces, which is very important for us because one of these prov- is the main reason why the alli-
inces will be secured by the Georgian military contingent. ance arranges such events. Invit-
ing a Georgian representative
Defence Today talked to Bar- A: NATO’s Public Diploma- was done as a courtesy to our
nov and offers a deeper insight cy Division organized it. The great contribution to the interna-
were blessed by Chaplain Father into the abovementioned issues. delegation included countries tional coalition. It was NATO’s
Davit. Q: You visited Afghanistan like a France, Germany, Italy, thirteenth tour and the first for a
The 31st battalion underwent as a Georgian expert. Please Australia, the United States, Georgian representative.
an intensive six-month prepara- tell us who organized the trip Canada, Great Britain and Geor-
tion course to prepare them for and what was the main goal? gia, and each country had one Continued on p.2
the international security opera-
tion in Afghanistan under the
aegis of NATO. Georgian sol-
diers went through the intensive
tactical preparation under the
guidance of Training and Advi-
sory Group of the U.S. marines.
During the preparation they were
given the opportunity to adopt
skills in conducting protection,
searching, evacuating, convoy
and cordon operations. They
were given lessons as well in
skills of communication with
leadership and community.
The intensive preparation
course was held at the training
bases of Vaziani and the Krtsa-
nisi Training Center. The battal-
ion was in the German town of
Hohenfelse as well, where the
soldiers passed through intensive
exercises at the United States‘
Joint Multinational Readiness
Center (JMRC). The overall
preparation level of the Georgian
militaries was positively as-
sessed by both center experts and
INSIDE
U.S. advisors and trainers. Sachkhere Mountain U.S. commanders
Training School paying a visit to
receives PfP status Defense Ministry
Georgians part of Easter in the Georgian
ISAF peacekeeping armed forces
mission Cooperation with Norway
New education U.S. Maj. Gen. William
program at T. Nesbitt visits
schools Defense Ministry
2 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
Georgia and ISAF’s new strategy
Interview with the head of the Strategy and Development Institute Andro Barnov
Continued from p.1
Q: You had an opportunity to meet
international coalition officials and
representatives from the local author-
ities. What was their assessment of
Georgia’s decision to send additional
troops?
A: I think that our effort has a double
effect. First, I would like to say that the
number of soldiers in such operations al-
ways plays a significant role. We de-
ployed 920 soldiers. Second, it is impor-
tant for NATO a new country to join the
coalition. At this moment, the alliance
faces a very difficult situation regarding
public support. People in western coun-
tries are exasperated and are asking for
the withdrawal of troops from Afghani-
stan. For example, public pressure in the
Netherlands was the main reason why the
government collapsed. Many people
can’t understand the political reality of
Afghanistan and can’t acknowledge their
own interest in the country. Therefore,
when countries are implementing a sim-
ilar policy as Georgia, it always has pos-
itive implications. It’s clear that I had no
connection with the decision to send
Georgian soldiers there but they were
very grateful even to me.
Q: The 31st battalion of the Third
Infantry Brigade will be deployed in
the Helmand province, which is one
of the most problematic regions in Af-
ghanistan. What is your evaluation of
ISAF and the present situation in the
Helmand province?
A: The Helmand province is the most
difficult region after Kandahar. Coali-
tion forces have recently taken control
over Helmand but more is required.
However, the most complicated stage is
finished and soldiers are there just to
maintain peace. Our boys will operate
according to the new strategy and their
main responsibility will be to protect the
local population, which includes patrol-
ling, securing vital infrastructure, and if
it is necessary conducting different op-
erations.
The Helmand province has four dis-
tricts, which were major producers of
opium. Nowadays, this problem is al-
most solved and the region is under the
strict control of the coalition forces.
Humanitarian and civil programs are
being implemented, which will help to
provide people support for ISAF opera-
tions in the long-run. Generally, we can
say that ISAF operation is successful in
all directions.
We should acknowledge that it’s not
a situation when two belligerent sides
deploy military camps for attack. We are
talking about cities and urban infrastruc-
ture where everything is interpenetrat-
ed and intricate. Strategically, the envi-
ronment is quite strained but the coali-
tion can influence public opinion. By
realization of various humanitarian and
development programs, Afghans public
is starting slowly to understand that it
should begin a new life and be done with
the Taliban.
Q: What do you think about the new
strategy and what will be the role of
Georgian troops in this new reality?
A: I would like to talk about the dif-
ferences and innovations between the
new and the old strategy. Before, the
coalition was focused on the liquidation
and arresting of insurgents, but now in-
ternational forces are trying to stay and
support humanitarian programs. They
immediately begin to fund educational,
healthcare and various projects. In my
opinion, it’s quite hard to say that an
action in Afghanistan is just a military
operation. The present events in Afghan-
istan are a mix of different experiences
and programs, which are developing
under the control of militaries because
of security issues.
We had an opportunity to talk to lo-
cal government officials and ordinary
people and they are mentioning that this
strategy is the best plan for their future
security and development. For example,
the coalition spent $20 billion in the last
nine years and now it’s going to use up
to $20 billion in the next two years. The
most important issue is that the largest
part of this money will be used for de-
velopment programs not for military
operations. The world must know that
the alliance is creating community coun-
cils and already 23 thousand such coun-
cils were established all around Afghan-
istan. The main goal of these councils is
to coordinate educational programs.
Beyond different spheres, they are teach-
ing everything related to democracy and
civil culture.
Q: How optimistic is Gen. Mc-
Chrystal’s approach and that of high
level NATO civil officials regarding
the new strategy?
A: The working process is very ac-
tive and optimistic. The feeling is like
when you’re building a house and the
construction is in the middle. If coali-
tion forces were seeking and finding in-
surgents now they have to stay and sup-
port the development process. That is
the main reason for additional troops
request for Afghanistan. The ISAF mis-
sion already has the consent of different
governments and Georgia is a constitu-
ent of this process. In addition, the new
strategy is not fully extended yet and it
will affect whole Afghanistan approxi-
mately in August. At the and I would
like to say that military approach is one
of the ways to solve some problems but
in case of Afghanistan the goal is very
different and non-military.
Q: The geopolitical situation in the
region is very diverse. How does the
situation in Afghanistan influence its
neighbors and Georgia?
A: Imagine the Afghan-Pakistan bor-
der, where Pashtuns live. They are the
biggest ethnic group in Afghanistan.
However, the most important is that the
almost the same amount of Pashtuns live
on the Pakistan side and identically they
are more close to Afghanistan. If we
consider the abovementioned reality, we
can conclude that not Pakistan but Af-
ghanistan is trying to capture territories
of its neighbor. However, it has no pre-
tensions on this territories; it’s just a
trend, which is related to identity. Be-
sides, Pakistan has another problem. If
Afghanistan will develop and become
powerful, it will find itself surrounded
by India and Afghanistan, which have
quite friendly relations. Therefore, some
people suggest that the situation, which
we have in Afghanistan, was created by
Pakistan. I must underline the fact that
the Taliban is not so strong in Afghani-
stan. They have a save heaven in Paki-
stan and receive weapons and financial
aid there. The support for the Taliban
comes to unison with Pakistan’s unoffi-
cial goals but as usually happens, all
these activities obtained natural and un-
controlled character. Taliban leaders
became independent actors with inde-
pendent profits from opium. It was evi-
dent that Pakistan could not control any
more insurgents after it. Moreover, Tal-
iban became local power of Afghanistan,
which is competing with the government
of Karzai. Now, we are resisting ordi-
nary insurgents with international con-
nections. They are receiving aid from
Iran, which is very interesting player in
the region. At one hand, official Tehran
is acting quite constructively, financing
cultural, and various programs. At an-
other hand, Iranian government abste-
miously supports Taliban.
Another interesting actor is China.
They are not interfering in Afghanistan’s
internal affairs because beneficial things
for Beijing are happening independent-
ly. China has no interest to see a power-
ful friend of India. If you look at it, you
can easily understand that China does
not want India as a competitor, because
of its latent power.
Russia is trying to receive very in-
teresting profit. By opening the transit
corridor, the Kremlin wants to gain top-
ic for future bargaining with NATO.
Besides, many Afghan officials were
studying in Moscow, which is potential
basis for Russia, but they are not trying
to use them because of lack of financial
resources. However, presumably in a
long-term perspective Russia will not
stay in the back all the time.
The most important case for us is Tur-
key’s position in the region. Their role is
very important in Central Asia. For local
people Turks are the most acceptable
members of the coalition. Touching mil-
itaries, they are not involving in military
operations because Ankara is trying to
keep its image. The biggest problem for
Turkey is how to establish contacts with
its rest Turkish world. From the east, it
has Iran, which is trying to implement
independent policy and in the north is
Caucasus and Georgia. The interest of
Georgia should be to support Turkey’s
goal. The consequence of this action will
be the closer ties with Turkey.
In my opinion, we must develop the
same policy in this region. If official
Tbilisi carries out balanced, careful and
a benign approach, it will demonstrate
that we are doing everything possible to
support the successful future of the Af-
ghan people. Besides, we will send a
message to the international communi-
ty that we are an organic and peaceful
part of Eurasia.
Q: The Taliban are the main op-
ponent of the alliance and its partners
in Afghanistan. What is their ambi-
tion and who are these extremists?
A: We can call the Taliban the “Af-
ghan Mkhedrioni.” They are an armed
gang, which ruled the country for many
years and gained some kind of legitima-
cy. The Taliban members are local peo-
ple who began cooperation with Al-Qae-
da and Pakistani funded groups. How-
ever, in spite of their past, there are many
examples when they stop fighting and
return to civil life. Then they are talking
how some bad boys forced them to join
extremist groups. I must say that the
Afghan people were growing up like
soldiers because of the environment. It
was their lifestyle, which is still pre-
served in some areas. The most inter-
esting thing is that the opinion of peo-
ple is changing against suicide bomb-
ers. People have not only negative feel-
ings but also aversion too. This is a re-
sult of coalition activities. Locals can see
that on territories where law-enforce-
ments are operating the situation is sta-
bilizing and violence decreasing. Slow-
ly but we can see the contrast between
NATO and Taliban proposals to the or-
dinary Afghan people. In some cases, the
Taliban are saying no to suicide prac-
tice and trying to begin civilized discus-
sions because they want to soft contrast.
I have no doubts that extremists will
APRIL 2010 ISSUE #34
loose this game too, because of lack of
intellectual and educational resources.
However, if they win the battle by these
methods it will be the victory for inter-
national community and for Afghanistan
because they will become members of
civilized universe.
Q: What are Afghanistan’s and
Central Asia’s perspectives and what
will the role of Georgia be?
A: Afghanistan is one of the richest
countries in natural resources in the
world. As experts say, 95 percent of the
world’s minerals are concentrated on
their territory. What can be the solution?
Nobody can overthrow the government
easily when it turns into powerful insti-
tute. The Taliban power, which receives
funds from a third party, could not be a
threat to the government, which has sev-
eral thousand police officers and sol-
diers. It means that Afghanistan will
develop into a new and independent
player in the region. It is a nation with
some 32 million people and when you
are walking in this destroyed country,
you feel that it’s something very big.
Many people want to establish a
strong Afghanistan. What does it mean
for the region if Afghanistan becomes
independent and strong? On one hand,
Afghanistan could not survive if it could
not keep contacts with the West. In this
scenario, the West and particularly the
United States will have influence there,
thus it won’t be a puppet country as a
puppet state with 32 million populations
doesn’t exist throughout the world. On
the other hand, official Kabul starts look-
ing for the partner within the region. It
has already found such partner, which
is India. The third and important issue
is Pakistan, which has to adopt the
above-mentioned scenario, but it needs
certain guarantees to carry out it. I am
sure that the west gives it those guaran-
tees. According to the above-mentioned
circumstances, China will be satisfied
but there will be a certain barrier in the
south-west part of China. We could sup-
pose that China won’t begin aggressive
expansion throughout this region. Nei-
ther Russia has any kind of exclusive in
Afghanistan. Totally if everything car-
ries out in the way mentioned above, the
gate through the Persian Gulf opens, but
Iran wouldn’t have any way except co-
operation. So we will get very balanced
Eurasian contingent.
Irakli Gurgenidze
APRIL 2010 ISSUE #34
Sachkhere Mountain Training School receives PfP status
The Sachkhere training school has
been granted a PfP (NATO Partnership
for Peace Program) training and edu-
cational center status. If the school pro-
vided mountain training for the Geor-
gian units before, now the training and
educational center can host NATO units
Georgians part of ISAF peacekeeping mission
Participation in international peace-
keeping missions provides Georgian
soldiers with the opportunity to obtain
experience and to demonstrate our na-
tion’s readiness to cooperate with
NATO and with other forces of partner
countries.
The Georgian armed forces have
been actively participating in various
peacekeeping missions for approxi-
mately ten years. Currently, 175 Geor-
gian soldiers are part of the Internation-
al Security Assistance Forces’ (ISAF)
operation in Afghanistan under French
command. Georgian soldiers are posi-
tioned on one of the military bases of
NATO in Afghanistan “Warehouse”
along with military servicemen of some
other countries. The main task of the
Georgian forces is to provide security
of the “Warehouse” military base.
The Georgian reinforced company
with caveats was deployed to Afghani-
stan on Nov. 17, 2009. It is remarkable
to mention that the Georgian company
underwent an intensive preparation
course under the aegis of France.
All day long, Georgian servicemen
patrol the nearby settlements and terri-
tories around the base. During patrol-
and those of partner countries. The
mountain school fully meets interna-
tional standards in terms of its infra-
structure, equipment and instructors.
The school’s commander, Maj.
Malkhaz Merlan, told Defense Today
that the educational institution of the
ling, Georgian soldiers use French ar-
mored combat vehicles. There is a mar-
ket on the “Warehouse” base territory
where the local population works. So
Georgian militaries, even female sol-
diers, check inhabitants and all the
goods they carry into the market for
selling at the entrance of the base. Only
after inspection local inhabitants are
allowed on the territory of the base. In
their free time the soldiers do exercis-
es in the sport complex located on the
base. Military servants deployed in
Afghanistan together with the chaplain,
orthodox priest Father Joseph.
On April 15, Georgian parliamen-
tary delegations led by chairman Davit
Bakradze visited the Georgian infan-
try unit serving in Kabul. The delega-
tion included parliamentary majority as
well minority groups. The goal of the
visit was to demonstrate support to
Georgian soldiers in order to make
them feel that their activity is a contri-
bution to the development of their
homeland.
“It is the duty of the politicians to
stand morally and physically by their
soldiers, who are serving in Afghani-
stan. With this on mind, we have de-
Georgian armed forces has been offi-
cially granted the status of PfP Train-
ing and Educational Center.
“This fact really increases our re-
sponsibility and except Georgian mili-
tary units the center will also prepare
military servants of NATO and PfP
cided to arrive in Afghanistan and
spend one day in the same conditions,
as our soldiers have to live for months.
We symbolically pass all those prob-
lems and dangers, which they face dur-
ing the mission together. With this act,
we shall demonstrate our attitude to
their mission; it will be the demonstra-
tion of our respect to their service in
such difficult conditions,” chairman of
the Georgian Parliament said.
The Georgian parliamentary chair-
man liked the soldiers’ working condi-
tions on the base. He held meetings
with the French leadership of the base,
as well with the commander of the en-
tire coalition forces Gen. Parker.
Bakradze was satisfied as all the for-
eign leaderships highly appreciated the
mission of the Georgian company.
As Bakradze said entering the mili-
tary base, his first feeling was of pride
as the Georgian militaries checked the
delegation members before allowing
them into the base. At the check-point
Georgian soldiers were carrying out
MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
countries. We can offer them mountain
training courses in English, French,
Turkish and Russian. The center has the
capacity to train 900 servicemen annu-
ally. Each course provides training for
100-150 military mountaineers. The
personnel of Sachkhere are proud to re-
ceive the status and we extend our grat-
itude to our foreign colleagues for their
support,” Merlani said.
The school was established in 2006.
Georgia is a mountainous region and
considering its landscape one of the pri-
orities is the establishment of a high-
professional mountain unit.
In the framework of the Partnership
for Peace Program, the Sachkhere
Mountain Training School provides
trainings for international students. It
is very difficult for any military unit to
move in diverse terrains and conduct
military operations without relevant
knowledge, skills and equipment. The
school provides training in this direc-
tion with the purpose to train as many
military servicemen as possible.
The school provides summer and win-
ter training courses. Summer courses last
for 3, 4 or 5 weeks. The basic course is
conducted on training sites in the Sach-
khere region. As for longer courses, they
are conducted in the settlement of Ka-
zbegi and envisage climbing the Mkin-
vartsveri glacier, which is 5,046 meters
above sea level. The winter course is car-
ried out in the settlements of Bakuriani
or Gudauri. Military servicemen learn
skiing, creating shelter in snow and
mountain-tactical fire exercises.
their everyday duties, well prepared,
and well trained.
Nowadays, the Georgian armed
forces are prepared on a high level. “Of
course, their participation in peace-
keeping operation is very important for
NATO, Afghanistan, but first of all their
presence in the mission serves Geor-
gian state interests. That’s why parlia-
mentary delegation arrived in Kabul to
share them how important their service
in mission is and to thank them for all
they carry out and for risking their life
in order to save Georgian interests,”
Bakradze mentioned.
The company was seen off on their
way to Afghanistan by Georgia’s De-
fense Minister Bacho Akhalaia.
“Our soldiers are properly trained
and instructed, giving us more confi-
dence for the successful accomplish-
ment of the mission. We are well aware
that ISAF represents one of the top pri-
orities of NATO. Therefore the main-
tenance of peace and security in Af-
ghanistan remains our common chal-
3
Although the school has just re-
ceived the PfP status, it has a very good
experience of hosting international stu-
dents. The first international training
was held in 2006 and soldiers from
Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and Arme-
nia participated. They passed both sum-
mer and winter courses. The training
was a great success and caused special
interest. The Ukrainian military ser-
vicemen attended the training course in
2008. Representatives of various for-
eign countries are frequent visitors of
the school.
The school’s instructors are profes-
sional mountaineers. With the support
of their French colleagues they went
though all stages of training for three
years. The equipment of the school is
French or Italian and includes all com-
ponents of safety.
The school is actively working to
streamline the school and enhance in-
ternational cooperation. The school has
modernized the curriculum; the mate-
rial/technical base and infrastructure
have been updated. The artificial con-
struction has been added to the school
facilities where the training wall for
mountain climbing of various difficul-
ties is located. The equipment of French
and Italian origin satisfies all security
requirements.
In the framework of bilateral coop-
eration representatives of various for-
eign countries are visiting the school.
They all express interest to conduct
trainings at the Sachkhere base.
Eka Gakhokidze
lenge, leading to our active participa-
tion in the international peacekeeping
mission. In the nearest future I plan to
go to Afghanistan to visit our soldiers
deployed there,” the minister said at the
farewell ceremony.
At the ceremony, which was held at
the Vaziani military base, the company
was handed a fighting banner, a sym-
bol of their contribution to the interna-
tional mission. Father Davit also gave
his blessing to the soldiers among
which six were awarded with “Kakut-
sa Cholokashvili” medals.
This is the second time Georgian sol-
diers participate in the ISAF peacekeep-
ing mission. Georgia deployed 50 sol-
diers in support of the first democratic
elections in Afghanistan in Kabul in 2004.
After the end of the mission only one
Georgian military doctor, Lieutenant of
the artillery battalion of the 2nd Infantry
Brigade, I. Revishvili (since November
9, 2009) is part of the ISAF operation
under the leadership of Lithuania.
Tea Kerdzevadze
4 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
New education program at schools U.S. commanders paying a
The first civil security and defense
cabinet was opened at the No. 2 Mtskhe-
ta Public School.
The opening ceremony was attend-
ed by the Georgian Minister of Defense
Bacho Akhalaia and Minister of Educa-
tion and Science Dimitri Shashkini.
Under the presidential initiative, the
Ministry of Education and Science de-
veloped the new Civil Defence and Se-
curity Program in cooperation with
representatives from the following en-
tities: Ministry of Defense, Ministry of
Internal Affairs, Ministry of Labor,
Health and Social Affairs and Ministry
of Environment Protection and Natural
Resources together with foreign experts.
The new education program covers
such crucial topics as civil defense, road
safety, first medical aid, history and ar-
mament of the Georgian army.
Easter in the Georgian
armed forces
A special Easter celebration service
was held in all active churches and chap-
els of the armed forces of Georgia.
Currently, there are 18 churches and
chapels operating in the divisions of the
Ministry of Defense and upon the joint
initiative of the MoD and the Patriarch-
ate, the construction of churches con-
tinue. Servicemen, who gathered for the
Easter night liturgy, also listened to the
epistle of Catholics-Patriarch of whole
Georgia Ilia II.
The Defense Minister of Georgia
Bacho Akhalaia paid tribute to the mem-
ory of the fallen soldiers during the 2008
August Georgia-Russian war. In relation
to the “Day of Annunciation of the Jesus
Christ’s Resurrection to Dead,” Akhala-
ia, Chief of the JS Maj. Gen. Devi
“We consider this program very im-
portant, as young people are required to
know the elementary security regula-
tions. This program envisages acquiring
the given rules. Adults also should know
the basic rules of road safety, first med-
ical aid and usage of weaponry. It
should be noted as well, that thanks to
this program the school pupils will have
the possibility to get familiar with the
history of the Georgian army and ad-
vanced combat equipment,” Akhalaia
said.
According to the education minister,
civil defense and security classes will
be introduced in every school since
2010.
“From today, the new pilot project
will be launched in 15 schools. This sub-
ject will be taught in three stages. Now,
you are here to attend the presentation
Chankotadze and armed forces senior
representatives visited the Mukhatgverdi
military cemetery, where war heroes are
buried.
“It is regretful that the Georgian
armed forces have lost the best military
servicemen, though it should be an im-
portant stimulus for each Georgian sol-
dier to become more united and consol-
idated in their future activities. I am quite
confident that the memory of the de-
ceased soldiers will remain eternal in our
minds,” the minister said.
The JS Senior Sergeant Aluda Ko-
paliani said: “Our grievance is huge,
though the whole nation should be proud
of having such heroes. We will never
forget their deeds. Let God bless their
precious souls.”
of the third part of the program titled as
‘Review of the Georgian Army’s Histo-
ry and Armament.’ I would like to ex-
press my gratefulness to the Georgian
Defense Ministry for its fruitful assis-
tance rendered during the working
process,” the minister said at the open-
ing ceremony.
Now, the Civil Defense and Security
Education Program represents the pilot
project and what’s more, it is scheduled
to open similar classes in 15 schools in
Rustavi, Mtskheta and Tbilisi.
The schools were selected with a spe-
cially worked out methodology. As a
result of the realization of the mentioned
program, civil defense and security ed-
ucational course will be finally devel-
oped and by the start of the new aca-
demic year it will be officially intro-
duced in public schools.
Cooperation with Norway
The Ministries of Defense of Georgia
and the Kingdom of Norway elaborated a
Bilateral Defense Cooperation Plan. Geor-
gia and Norway’s Defense Ministries will
continue the collaboration in the spheres
of reserve and mobilization, drafting of
strategic documents and improving of
human resources management.
U.S. Maj. Gen. William T. Nesbitt visits Defense Ministry
The United States will provide assis-
tance to the Georgian National Guard
Department to streamline the country’s
acting reserve system.
Adjutant General of the Georgia Na-
tional Guard, U.S. Maj. Gen. William
T. Nesbitt presented the recommenda-
tions to the Deputy Defense Minister
Nodar Kharshiladze. The meeting was
also attended by Col. Daniel Zachman,
Chief of Staff, Georgia National Guard.
Lieut. Col. David Johnson, State Part-
nership program director, Georgia Na-
tional Guard and Major Jason Baker,
Bilateral Affairs Officer, ODC.
Topics of the discussions included
the improvement of the reserve system.
The sides agreed that U.S. experts will
visit to Defense Ministry
Georgian and U.S. military top of-
ficials held discussions on cooperation
issues in the security and defense
spheres of the two countries. During the
meeting at the MoD the sides discussed
the outcomes of the ISAF preparation
program, recently realized in Georgia
and dealt with the details over the 31st
battalion’s engagement in the peace
support operation in Afghanistan.
Participants of the meeting involved
Deputy Defense Minister Nodar
Kharshiladze, Chief of the JS Maj. Gen.
Devi Chankodadze, Commander of the
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command,
Lieut. Gen. Richard F. Natonski, and
Commander of the U.S. Marine Corps
Forces in Europe, Brigadier General
Paul W. Brier.
“It is great honour for us to have
been given the possibility to train the
For this reason, Georgian Defense
Minister Bacho Akhalaia met with the
Norwegian Deputy Defense Minister
Espen Barth Eide.
The sides reviewed the plan in detail
and held discussions on ISAF peace-
keeping operations. Barth Eide ex-
pressed his appreciation for Georgia’s
APRIL 2010 ISSUE #34
Georgian soldiers, as well as we appre-
ciate the fact that Georgian and US sol-
diers will perform their duties shoul-
der by shoulder in the Province of Hel-
mand,” the U.S. commander said.
According to the deputy minister,
the ISAF preparation program within
which the 31st battalion has undergone
military trainings, proved to be success-
ful.
“Georgian military servants will be
engaged in the peace keeping mission
side by side with the U.S. marines. We
are determined to increase our peace
contingent in Afghanistan by addition-
al 750 military servicemen. This is one
more example demonstrating that
Georgia continues to provide an active
contribution in the overall development
of worldwide stability and security,” he
said.
continuous contribution to the joint ef-
forts for global security and reaffirmed
his support for the country’s indepen-
dence, sovereignty and territorial integ-
rity.
A meeting was held with the Chief
of JS Maj. Gen. Devi Chankotadze,
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dav-
it Jalagania and the Secretary of National
Security Council Eka Tkeshelashvil.
The Norwegian side was represent-
ed by the Ambassador of Norway to
Georgia H.E. John Ramberg, Defense
Attaché Captain Helge Moen, Superior
Deputy Director General, the Depart-
ment of Security Policies, Norwegian
Ministry of Defense, Kjersti Klaeboe
and Aviser, Christine Johannesen.
Within the framework of bilateral
cooperation, the meetings were held in
the National Guard Department, where
Department Chief Zurab Arsoshvili in-
troduced the Norwegian Home Guard
Chief Captain Lars Arne Aulie to the
ongoing reforms. The sides agreed upon
the intensive cooperation between the
military structures of both countries.
take part in the formation of the profes-
sional military education system and the
reserve units‘ training process. The U.S.
general’s recommendations suggested
that reservist’s trainings should be inte-
grated in the training of the active forc-
es.
Within the frames of the meeting,
American top military official held
meetings with the Chief of JS, Major
General Devi Chankodadze, Acting
Commander of the Land Forces of GAF
Gigi Kalandadze, Trainings and Military
Education Commander, Col. Nikoloz
Janjgava and Chief of the National
Guard Department Zurab Arsoshvili.
William T. Nesbitt also visited “Krtsa-
nisi” National Training Center.