APRIL 2008 ISSUE #10
New Guidelines for US-Georgian
Military Cooperation Discussed
The US – the major strate-
gic partner of Georgia – openly
declares its readiness to back
Georgia’s position in the inter-
national arena and continues its
cooperation in the military
sphere to help the Georgian
Armed Forces achieve full
NATO interoperability.
Establishing strong, self-sus-
taining and NATO coalition
compatible forces remains the
main priority of Georgia’s De-
fence agenda. For further sup-
port of Georgia’s aspiration on
its way to NATO the US De-
fence Secretary precedes active
consultations with Defence
Ministry of Georgia.
The US-Georgian Military
Cooperation plan for 2009 out-
lines two new directions of US-
Georgia Military Cooperation:
improvement of Domain
Awareness/Air Sovereignty Ca-
The GORBI / ORB Poll of
Georgian Troops in Iraq
In a special presentation,
findings from the first poll ever
conducted amongst the Georgian
Armed Forces operating in Iraq
were disclosed to the public and
media representatives at the
Ministry of Defence of Georgia.
The opinion poll was undertak-
en by Georgian Opinion Re-
search Business International
(GORBI – ORB’s sister agency
in Georgia) to mark the 5th anni-
versary of the invasion of Iraq.
The poll results were presented
to the public by the Director of
GORBI, Merab Pachulia. “The
research shows that the Georgian
military is highly motivated to
provide security guarantees for
the Iraqi people and participation
pabilities and Maritime Aware-
ness/Safety and Security Capa-
bilities. Additional assistance
will cover the entire scale of
Defence transformation, im-
provement of NATO compati-
bility at all levels.
Key priorities of US-Geor-
gian Security Cooperation for
YF 2009 will be professional
development of civilian person-
nel through the IMET/CTFP
and GCMC.
On 17-18 April, a delegation
from the Office of US Secretary
of Defense held high level meet-
ings at the Defence Ministry of
Georgia. US Secretary of De-
fense Deputy Assistant for Eu-
ropean and NATO Policy (OSD)
Mr. Daniel Fata was hosted by
Georgian Ministry of Defence,
David Kezerashvili. The US
delegation also met with depu-
ty Defence Minister, Giorgi
in international peacekeeping
operations is very important for
them,” declared Pachulia.
The findings show that, over-
all, the Georgian military is
proud of its mission and role and
approves of its Government’s de-
cision to send troops to Iraq.
Only 8% of those interviewed
said they would not return if giv-
en an opportunity.
The GORBI team traveled to
Iraq to carry out fieldwork in
January 2008. The GORBI self-
completion survey was complet-
ed by 1,350 Georgian troops de-
ployed in Iraq and thousands of
Iraqi respondents. Question-
naires were completed across six
checkpoints and in the Georgian
Hungarian Defence Ministry
Muchaidze, Chief of the Joint
Staff, Col. Zaza Gogava.
During the meetings the
main focus was made on equip-
ping and training the 4th Bri-
gade. The program includes a
Movement Support Unit, Mili-
tary Police Battalion, Signal
Battalion, and Land Forces
Command. The 4th Brigade as-
sessment – PDSS (Pre-Deploy-
ment Site Survey) – will be con-
ducted by a US team in mid-
May 2008. The 1st phase of the
training foresees Staff Training
and English Language Training.
BMATT assistance as well as
tactical training and Mission
Rehearsal Exercise will be also
provided during the program.
The 4th Brigade is ready to
undergo upcoming Redeploy-
ment Training for the next rota-
tion to Iraq for December 2008.
Continued on p.3
compound in Baghdad.
Georgian troops are very sat-
isfied with their deployment in
Iraq in terms of living condi-
tions, hardware and safety. Geor-
gian soldiers are remarkably pos-
itive about Iraq and its people
and also report an improvement
in the security situation.
Overall the poll clearly reveals
a positive mood amongst the Geor-
gian army serving in Iraq – which
is the third largest army in Iraq be-
hind the US and UK forces. Nine
in ten (89%) are satisfied with the
current conditions within their
units, 97% are proud to be a sol-
dier and 98% are proud that they
can serve in the Georgian army.
Continued on p.2
Officials Visit Georgia
Senior State Secretary of
Hungarian Defence Ministry,
Mrs. Agnes Vadai recently paid
a two-day official visit to Geor-
gia. The twelve-person delega-
tion of the Hungarian Defence
Ministry visited the Ministry of
Defence of Georgia on April 23.
The purpose of the visit was to
initiate and develop bilateral co-
operation between the Defence
Ministries of the two countries.
The Hungarian delegation mem-
bers were received by the De-
fence Minister of Georgia, Dav-
id Kezerashvili. The meeting
was attended by the Deputy De-
fence Minister, Giorgi Muchaid-
ze, Deputy Chief of the Joint
Staff, LTC Aleksandre Osepaish-
vili, Head of Strategic Planning
and Military Policy Department
J-5, Col. Irakli Batkuashvili,
Head of International Relations
and Euro-Atlantic Integration
Department, Ms. Nino Bakradze
and Chief of the National De-
fence Academy, Col. Tariel
Londaridze. The Hungarian Del-
egation was represented by the
Chief of the Joint Forces Com-
mander, Major-General Zoltan
Orosz, Deputy Director of the
Military Security Office, Major-
General Ferenc Kovacsics, Vice-
Rector of Education Zrinyi Mi-
kos National Defence Universi-
INSIDE
An Interview with Senior
State Secretary of the
Hungarian Defence
Ministry, Mrs. Agnes Vadai
Georgian President Mikheil
Saakashvili Speaks to
Graduates of Sachkhere
Mountain Training School
Rescue Operations
Course Completed
ty, PhD, Col. Siposne Kecskem-
ethy and other representatives of
the Hungarian Defence Ministry.
The sides discussed the pros-
pects of Hungarian-Georgian bi-
lateral military cooperation and
educational exchange programs
for military servants of the two
countries. Ongoing reforms, im-
plications of the Bucharest Sum-
mit, Georgia’s perspectives for
receiving a MAP and its overall
NATO assimilation were dis-
cussed as well.
Afterwards, the Defence Min-
ister of Georgia summed up the
meeting: “We discussed possibil-
ities of sending Georgian offic-
ers to Hungary and inviting Hun-
garian military officials to Geor-
gia. We discussed prospects of
bilateral defence cooperation be-
tween our two countries in gen-
eral. Obviously, we talked about
Georgia’s NATO membership
aspirations. Georgia’s MAP aspi-
rations enjoyed the strong support
of Hungary at the Bucharest Sum-
mit. We can learn from the Hun-
garian experience on our way to
NATO integration and we should
also take into account the current
situation between the Russian
Federation and Georgia because
of two internal conflicts. Hunga-
ry fully supports Georgia’s terri-
torial integrity, sovereignty and of
Ukrainian Military
Training in Georgia
“Blackseafor-07” Naval
Exercise Comes to Georgia
“Georgian Express 2008”
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 2008”
“IMMEDIATE
Swedish-Estonian-Georgian
Project Focuses on Environment
course the steps which would
possibly be made by our neigh-
bor are unacceptable for our part-
ners as well,” declared David
Kezerashvili.
“We had very intensive dis-
cussions on the Hungarian-Geor-
gian relationship. We were talk-
ing about the possibility of deep-
ening cooperation. As you know,
Hungary is opening up an Em-
bassy in Georgia to guarantee the
accreditation of the Defence At-
taché too. We concentrate on
educational cooperation, we al-
ready have some Georgian offic-
ers studying in Hungary and we
would like to see more. We, of
course, were talking about the
Bucharest Summit and Georgia’s
Euro-Atlantic prospects. We be-
lieve that there was the clear vi-
sion for Georgia for future invi-
tation to the MAP,” declared the
State Secretary of Defence Min-
ister of Hungary.
In the framework of the visit
the Hungarian delegation held
meetings in the Georgian Min-
istry of Foreign Affairs as well.
The Hungarian delegation left
Georgia on April 24.
For more on this historic vis-
it see interview with Senior State
Secretary of Hungarian Defence
Ministry, Mrs. Agnes Vadai on
Page 2.
2 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
“Georgia has a lot of friends among democratic countries and it
can count not only on Hungary, but on other countries as well”
An Interview with Senior State Secretary of the Hungarian Defence Ministry, Mrs. Agnes Vadai
How would you assess your visit to
Georgia? In which direction do you
plan to develop cooperation with
Georgia in the defence sphere?
I think that my visit to Georgia has
been a very fruitful one. The last time a
Hungarian Government member was
here was in 2006 and he is actually the
ambassador who is now accredited to
Georgia. Since then I am the first one.
When I was planning my schedule, I
knew that I had to come to Georgia be-
cause Georgia and Hungary have been
cooperating together on a national lev-
el. I think we should strengthen our bi-
lateral cooperation and our plan – and
my plan – when I go back to Hungary is
to start working on strengthening the
cooperation between the two Ministries
of Defence on certain issues, including
education. Although we already have
some Georgian officers studying in Hun-
gary, we would like to see even more.
The second thing we believe that we and
the Hungarian soldiers here in Georgia
can do is start cooperation on the “grave-
yard question”. Of course Hungary is a
NATO member and we would like to
facilitate Georgia’s very difficult, but
ultimately very positive path to full
Euro-Atlantic integration. This year we
plan to open an embassy in Tbilisi that
will be a very good center of culture as
well as intensify bilateral cooperation
between our two countries.
Hungary joined NATO during the
fourth wave of expansion in 1999.
Your cooperation with NATO started
in 1991 in the format of North Atlan-
tic Co-operation Council (NACC).
What challenges did Hungary face
during the NATO integration pro-
cess? What can you share with us
from your experience?
You know it was a long road. Of
course every country has its own desti-
ny; its own type of democracy, and its
own way of building up its military. As
I have learned, Georgia has actually had
an easier time then Hungary, because we
started from zero. It has been easier for
you because we had to totally transform
our army, which actually finished just
last year. Now, 17 years after the politi-
cal changes we can finally say that we
are a modern and professional army. Still
we have a lot of work to do. We learned
a very important lesson for the political
establishment, which is that you have
The GORBI / ORB Poll of Georgian Troops in Iraq
Continued from p.1
The overwhelming majority are also
satisfied with their training (93%) and
their military hardware (88%). The re-
cent decision by the Georgian Ministry
of Defence to replace the Kalashnikov
with the M4 assault rifle has clearly been
met with approval. Almost the entire
sample of 1,350 troops supports Presi-
dent Saakashvili’s decision to extend the
country’s mission until June 2008.
According to the poll results 95% of
Georgian troops have a positive opin-
ion of Iraq and its people; two in three
(64%) believe that armed violence will
increase once they leave; 86% think that
Iraq is the country most in need of Geor-
gian troops; only 9% of the Georgian
Armed Forces consider the areas in
which they are deployed to be unsafe
and if asked to do so, 71% confirm here
and now that they would return for a
further tour.
In a poll carried out by ORB in
March 2008 amongst a nationally rep-
resentative sample of 4,000 Iraqis, over-
to be a firm partner for NATO, and that
you have to act according to what you
say, because this is how trust is born. In
the military sphere, as Hungary was a
member of the Warsaw Pact, we have
had to transform completely. I would say
that the equipment and uniforms are the
easy part to change but the mentality of
the people is something different. I am
proud to announce that the Hungarian
Army had done this in a very nice way.
When you belong to a family it’s always
important to see that the family has stan-
dards which can not be compromised.
You have to fulfill these standards even
if it seems very difficult. As I said to the
all 55% thought the country was head-
ing in the ‘right direction’. In the prov-
ince of Wassit (where most Georgian
troops are located) this figure increased
significantly to 87%. When the same
question was asked to Georgian troops,
91% answered ‘the right direction’.
However, they are also aware (like many
Iraqis living in the southern provinces)
of the threat posed to the country from
Iran. One in four (27%) consider Iran to
be the second biggest threat to Iraq (fol-
lowing local illegal militias 38%) while
55% believe Iran’s influence will in-
crease with Georgian troop departure.
The poll reveals there is widespread
support for the NATO alliance amongst
the Georgian military. 99% of those sur-
veyed believe that Georgia should join
NATO. In recent years the US govern-
ment and NATO members have strong-
ly supported the development of a pro-
fessional Georgian army. Without ques-
tion (99.3%) the US is seen by Geor-
gian troops as having made the greatest
contribution to their army – a figure as
large amongst new recruits as those serv-
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and
the Defence Minister, it has been a learn-
ing process that has continued even more
intensively after we joined NATO. But
you study a new language, study how to
cooperate and this is an important les-
son for anybody wanting to join NATO.
First, to have those standards, democrat-
ic standards that can not be compro-
mised, and second you study all this. We
can share this experience with the Geor-
gian Ministry of Defence. Of course
Georgia has a lot of friends among dem-
ocratic countries and Georgia can count
not only on Hungary, but on other coun-
tries as well.
ing the army the longest.
After the presentation of the findings
the First Deputy Defence Minister Batu
Kutelia commented on the importance
of the survey: “Opinion polls which help
the leadership to have the right view
At the Bucharest Summit the
granting of a MAP to Georgia was
postponed, possibly till December. In
your opinion, what were the main fac-
tors behind this decision by NATO
member countries? How can you eval-
uate Georgia’s chances?
If I recall the Bucharest Summit and
Georgia’s reaction correctly, I should be
very honest and say that you shouldn’t
think of this as a failure and a disappoint-
ment. I think Georgia was given a clear
message that there is a strong perspec-
tive for a future invitation to develop a
MAP. That’s for sure. Hungary is very
committed to Georgia’s Euro –Atlantic
integration and I think one lesson to be
learned is that you should always have
strong bilateral cooperation. NATO and
the EU are made up of several sover-
eign countries, all acting in their own
interests and with their own values. So
that’s why I think strengthening bilater-
al cooperation with NATO and EU coun-
tries will be very, very important for
Georgia. I would say I am here because
I believe that this kind of Euro-Atlantic
perspective is the solution for Georgia
that will make democratic procedures
irreversible in your country. So that is
the lesson I would impart: strengthen
your bilateral cooperation with your
friends because you have friends, not
just one, more then one.
Georgia is the third largest per
capita contributor to Peace Support
Operations in Iraq and there are also
plans to send our peacekeepers to Af-
ghanistan. How important is Geor-
gia’s role in providing global securi-
ty?
Well, of course, anytime a country is
willing to contribute to building peace
and security in territories which are far
from its own land is very, very impor-
tant. I would like to emphasize that when
Hungary is sending soldiers, for exam-
ple, to Georgia, we are doing that be-
cause we believe that we can contribute
to the peace, security and stability of this
region. So, Georgia is on the right track
here. All of us must come together and
see further then our boundaries; further
than our frontiers, because there are
countries that are less fortunate than us.
The international communities – NATO,
EU, OSCE – have their obligations to
help foster democratic cooperation and
to help control peace and security. So,
concerning the existing problems in
army units are conducted in the Armed
Forces of all developed countries. This
concrete poll shows that most Georgian
soldiers are satisfied with the conditions
and fully realize their responsibilities.
APRIL 2008 ISSUE #10
Georgia’s participation is welcome, just
like any other country’s participation.
We believe it’s the right track for all of
us to understand what it means to coop-
erate at the multinational level.
Georgia has implemented compre-
hensive reforms in order to achieve
NATO interoperability. How do you
evaluate Georgia’s efforts? What rec-
ommendations would you give to
Georgia?
Well, I am a friend – we are friends
– and what I said before about being a
trustworthy partner is a very important
lesson for everybody. NATO is count-
ing on what member countries and pro-
spective countries have to offer, and
what these countries have. The second
thing is that language is always very
important and we have to use common
language not only referring to the com-
mon language we use in operations, but
so we understand what certain expres-
sions mean, what it means to respect
human rights, what it means to respect
minority rights, what democracy means.
I have to say that during the long road
to democratization there is still a way to
go, and like everybody else Hungary still
has some things to do; we are a demo-
cratic country but we still feel that there
are things that we have to do. But I
would say two things, not just with re-
gard to NATO and EU membership, but
two things for your own people, your
own nation, and believe me you will find
your own way to develop your demo-
cratic institutions based on your tradi-
tion and history. What I am sure of, is
that if a country forgets its traditions,
history and values, that country can not
be successful on the international are-
na. I would say keep your beautiful land-
scape, your fantastic culture, the hospi-
tality of your people, of course, and the
democratization process that was men-
tioned many times during the talks
which is very important. I wish you all
the best and all the luck on this long jour-
ney. As a Hungarian I can tell you that
when we started in 1990 we believed it
would turn out like this. But you have
to suffer, I mean in a positive sense, you
have to suffer to have your own way,
nobody can tell you what the best way
is for you, you have to discover this
yourself.
Nino Gogochishvili
It is very important that the local popu-
lation considers Wassit Province, where
most of the Georgian troops are locat-
ed, as the safest region in Iraq.”
Thea Chonishvili
APRIL 2008 ISSUE #10 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
3

Georgian President Mikheil New Guidelines for US-Georgian

Military Cooperation Discussed
Saakashvili Speaks to Graduates of Continued from p.1 CBP) which started in January 2008
and will last till 2009 has been success-

Sachkhere Mountain Training School It will replace the currently de-

A graduation ceremony for the Jun-
ior Officers Training Course was recent-
ly held in Sachkhere Mountain Training
School. Students of the National Defence
Academy of Georgia underwent the “C”
Training Course under the guidance of
Georgian and Israeli instructors. During
nine months the training program includ-
forget it – the Poles don’t forget it.
I want to tell you that you are the pride
of modern Georgia. I am proud of you,
we all are proud of you and future Geor-
gia will be proud of you. Every clever
Georgian remembers that David the Build-
er started to build the state by building the
army. Many centuries have passed, but we
stincts, but you were able to learn the most
important lessons in extremely difficult
conditions – to defend your beautiful coun-
try. I know very well how difficult this
period of time was for you. But it is the
hell that will lead the whole country to the
doors of heaven that will let you become
historic heroes in the most decisive mo-
ployed 1st Brigade personnel after be-
ing fully professionalized and proper-
ly trained by Georgian and American
instructors.
“I continue to be impressed by the
progress that I see in Georgia just in
terms of the state, in terms of the gov-
ernment and in terms of the Georgian
Armed Forces transformation. The
USA and Georgia’s defense relation-
ship is one of the strongest that we
have. Georgia has stood side by side
with the US Armed Forces in Iraq and
in Afghanistan,” stated Mr. Daniel Fata.
Meanwhile, the Special Forces Bat-
talion Capacity-Building Program (SF
fully conducted. The program includes
Tactical Training, Staff Training, Con-
structions (range, climbing and repel-
ling wall) and equipping (uniforms and
individual equipment, ammunition
pouches, radios, night vision devices,
mountaineering equipment, HM-
MWVs).
Apart from enhancing ongoing mili-
tary plans, Georgia and the US have out-
lined long term priorities of future coop-
eration. Particularly, two additional direc-
tions – Sustain Collective and Joint Train-
ing Capabilities and Sustain Special Op-
erations/Counter Terrorism Capabilities
– have been envisioned for 2012.
Maka Gurgenidze

Rescue Operations Course Completed

ed fire, topography and urban warfare
exercises. 150 students entered the train-
ing at the beginning of the course, but
only 54 were able to complete it. Suc-
cessful graduates took an oath at the sol-
emn ceremony and were commissioned
with the rank of lieutenant.
The President of Georgia, Mikheil
Saakashvili attended the solemn cere-
mony dedicated to the completion of the
“C” Training Course. The Supreme
Commander-in-Chief congratulated of-
ficers of the National Defence Acade-
my upon their successful graduation and
delivered a speech:
“Not long ago I saw a movie, which
reflects your training and I talked to our
foreign advisors, generals, who came
from Israel, high-ranking officers that
trained you to serve our country.
Two years ago I couldn’t dream about
it. Georgia always had strong officers. We
have military talent in our genetic code.
still have existential challenges. Our ex-
istence is still under threat and we still need
to act the same way that our ancestors did.
Contemporary politicians do not compare
themselves to David the Builder. He re-
flected all the best features – he was a real
king, he was wise, he had an equal atti-
tude towards all ethnic and religious com-
munities, he was exceptional with his tol-
erance. We do not compete with him, but
we try to emulate him. You are the most
important part of modern Georgia. We
have brought several high-ranking Gen-
erals from Israel, the best officers and sol-
diers. Today Georgia needs the most con-
temporary training. I served in the most
elite Soviet Army for two years. I envy
you, because you stand five steps higher
than any Soviet unit ever did. I am proud
because Georgia did more than the Soviet
Union could do. We will prove this and
everyone will see it. We have brought fa-
mous military leaders from Israel; a great
The second stage of the Rescue Op- started in December 2007. 44 military
erations Course at Sachkhere Mountain personnel entered the training at the be-
Training School was completed on April ginning of the course, but only 38 were
16. With the assistance of Israeli spe- able to complete the course.
cialists, military personnel of the Moun- The first stage of the course includ-
tain Training School successfully passed ed swimming and medical rescue train-
four week training in rescue operations. ings. In the second stage of the course,
A formal ceremony was held in the servicemen learned how to conduct
village of Katkhi, Chiatura region. The evacuation operations and give first aid
leader of the Defence Ministry and the in mountainous terrain. Military person-
Joint Staff handed over certificates to 7 nel of the school will also be trained in
officers, 29 NCOs and 2 corporals. air-navigation and diving skills in May
A practice exercise was held in Sa- of this year. The exercise will be con-
chkhere this week, demonstrating the ducted in Tbilisi and Batumi.
evacuation of injured people from After completion of the whole
ment for Georgia. It is the difficulty that
heights of 42 meters and giving first course, the graduates will be qualified
will bring us great happiness that will lead
medical aid to them. The training course as military-rescue instructors.
Georgia to victory and integrity. It was all
worth it. The most important is what you
tell to your grandchildren, not what you
went through when you were young. I
would like to thank you all my brothers!
The best Georgian officers were selected
for this course: 150 officers. 54 were able
to get through it. All others were the best
too, but they were not able to get to the
end. You all know that we are building
flats for every Georgian officer, we give
them high salaries, but all this will be left
behind if our homeland is not strong. Our
lives are dedicated to the victory of Geor-
gia. Our hearts beat in absolute unison. I
want to apologize for not being able to run
through the forests together with you dur-
ing the last year. But I want to assure you
that we weren’t having fun either, because
no one will have a happy life until Geor-
gia is secure and finally united. I want to

Ukrainian Military Training in Georgia

Georgians used to fight in every great
empire during the last millenniums. I
would like to remind you that in the Ro-
man Empire, in Byzantium, in the Persian
Empire, in the Mamaluke Empire, Geor-
gians weren’t only famous officers and
warriors, but made up the most success-
ful military units of those empires.
The Europeans, the Polish and I my-
self will never forget the fact that in 1921
Georgian officers saved the indepen-
dence of Poland: these were the officers
who couldn’t find their place in Geor-
gia, who could defend the independence
of Georgia, but because of the inability
of the political authorities couldn’t save
the independence of Georgia in 1921.
They went to Poland and under the lead-
ership of Marshal Polsunski saved the
independence of Poland. It does not hap-
pen by accident that Poland helps us so
much in NATO. Every Pole remembers
well that Georgian shed their blood for
Poland and famous Georgian officers
contributed to the creation of the mod-
ern Polish state. General Sumbatashvili
was the Military Commander of the Pol-
ish army and the Chief of the Military
Chancellery. 150 Georgian officers shed
their blood for Poland. The most pow-
erful Bolshevik army that ever penetrat-
ed any foreign territory, much stronger
than the 11th army that penetrated into
Georgia, penetrated into Poland and was
defeated by the Polish under the com-
mand of Georgian officers. We must not
majority of our Land Forces has been
trained by Americans. In this case you
were trained by the Israeli military. We are
very grateful to all our Israeli friends for
what they did for Georgia. Americans and
Israelis have developed a new Georgian
military school. This Georgian school is
based on our historic instinct, our genet-
ics, experience, talent and on the joint ex-
perience of Israelis and Americans.
We have spent several billion on our
military equipment. But these expensive
arms and types of armament are not the
most important; the most important
things are heart, motivation, patriotism
and professionalism. Professionalism is
a component that our military advisors
share with us together with military en-
thusiasm. Patriotism is what was taught
to you by your parents, your mothers and
your families. Your patriotism and best
military training will show everyone in
the world that there are no small nations
that are not able to defend themselves.
Georgia is an exceptional country;
Georgians can be very good friends; Geor-
gians love peace and want prosperity;
Georgians have a peaceful intent but are
able to defend themselves. We will con-
tribute to our and our world’s security. We
are devoted to our country, to our friends
and allies. Today it is a very happy day. I
know that you spend most of your time in
forests, in very difficult conditions, you
have been denied living in warm houses
and you have rejected fun, human in-
congratulate you on this historic gradua-
tion day. Georgians were never trained by
the best professionals and we have never
had such a corps of officers in the history The Ukrainian military has complet- erations and evacuation of injured peo-
of Georgia. You are elite, you are those ed a winter mountain training course in ple from the mountains. At the end of
people who will restore the integrity of Georgia. The graduation ceremony of the ceremony, graduates were given sou-
Georgia and your names will remain in the training course was held at Sach- venirs by LTC Dimitry Nikitishithen,
history after your final success. I want to khere Mountain Training School, where leader of the Sachkhere Mountain Train-
thank you for your bravery and toughness. 15 Ukrainian military personnel, led by ing School and Military Attaché of
Do not let up because all your heroism is Capitan Igor Mamchur, were granted Ukraine in Georgia.
awaiting you in the future and you will be certificates. The training was conducted in the
those people who will make the decisions. The graduates, from various parts of framework of bilateral agreement be-
The soldiers of democratic countries are the Ukrainian armed forces, were trained tween Georgia and Ukraine. It is sched-
different as they make decisions by them- by Georgian instructors over 21 days. uled that the Ukrainian military will also
selves. The battle for the integration of The military personnel were trained in undertake a summer mountain training
Georgia continues and it will end success- movement on ice, mountain rescue op- course in Georgia.
fully. We are the defenders of democracy
and freedom. You serve the future of our
nation. I wish you success in defending
democracy and freedom, and in execut-
ing this historical mission! I want to give
the successful course graduate officers
gifts in remembrance. I wish you success
and victory. God bless Georgia! God bless
this great day in our history!”
At the end of the ceremony, President
Saakashvili presented GLOCK model
pistols to seven instructors and five of-
ficers for their meritorious service. 42
students of the National Defence Acade-
my were awarded diplomas for their suc-
cessful graduation of the Officers’ Cours-
es. The event was attended by the De-
fence Minister David Kezerashvili and
Chief of the Joint Staff of Georgian
Armed Forces, Col. Zaza Gogava.
4 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 2008”
“IMMEDIATE
The final planning conference for the
joint military exercise “Immediate Re-
sponse 2008” has been held at the Krt-
sanisi Training Centre. “Immediate Re-
sponse” will be conducted in Georgia
with the joint efforts of US and Geor-
gian armed forces, and will start this
summer.
Staff officers from Armenia, Azer-
baijan and Ukraine, as well as a further
2000 military personnel from different
countries will participate in joint exer-
cises “Immediate Response 2008”
“Georgian Express 2008”
A preliminary conference to plan the
UK-Georgian joint military exercise
“Georgian Express 2008” was held at the
Georgian Ministry of Defence. Military
exercises will be conducted as part of bi-
lateral military cooperation between Geor-
gia and the United Kingdom. During the
four-day conference, the participants dis-
Football Championship
in 4th Infantry Brigade
The 4th Infantry Brigade intramural
football championship was held at the
Vaziani Military Base on April 24.
The match was held between the 41st
Battalion and the Artillery Battalion of
the 4th Infantry Brigade. The champion-
ship between the soldiers of the 4th In-
fantry Brigade started on April 16 and
eight football teams participated.
The purpose of this football champi-
onship is to encourage a healthy lifestyle
among Georgia’s military servants and to
find out who the best players are. The bri-
gade’s starting football team will be com-
Swedish-Estonian-Georgian Project Focuses on Environment
The closing meeting of the Swedish-
Estonian-Georgian Environmental Trilat-
eral Project has come to an end. At the
final meeting, Georgian, Swedish and
Estonian experts held discussions about
the project results. It was highlighted that
Swedish and Estonian specialists played
an important role in setting up the struc-
tural hierarchy and educational system
used in environmental management. Cur-
rently, when Georgia is at the stage of an
“Intensified Dialogue” with NATO and
aspires to the MAP stage, the support that
NATO and PfP member countries pro-
vide for Georgia is especially important
for the successful implementation of
Georgia’s Partnership Action Plan com-
mitments. In this regard, the Georgian
side expressed gratitude to foreign ex-
perts for their assistance. From the Geor-
gian side the Head of International Rela-
tions and Euro-Atlantic Department Ms.
Nino Bakradze received the Swedish and
planned by EUCOM.
During the exercise, infantry service-
men will undergo staff and command
trainings at brigade level. Besides the
theoretical and practical exercise, they
will also be trained in humanitarian op-
erations in extreme conditions.
This week, guests visited the area
where “Immediate Response” will be
carried out, and discussed issues con-
cerning arrangement of infrastructural
facilities and all important issues regard-
ing the joint exercise.
cussed the details of duration, scale and
site of the exercise. 160 Georgian and UK
military personnel will take part in the
exercise “Georgian Express 2008”, over
two weeks in September 2008.
This year’s “Georgian Express” will
be the third such exercise, having pre-
viously been held in 2004 and 2007.
posed of the winning military servicemen.
The final match was held on the ter-
ritory of the 4th Infantry Brigade in Va-
ziani. The full-length match and addi-
tional time finished in a 0:0 draw. The
artillery men won the game 8:7 after a
penalty shoot-out.
This was the 4th Brigade’s first in-
ternal football championship and a spe-
cial trophy was handed over to the win-
ning team. The first and second place
winners, the best players of the tourna-
ment, the striker and the goalkeeper
were all granted special diplomas.
Estonian delegates. The foreign delega-
tion was led by a Lieutenant-Colonel of
the Swedish Armed Forces Arne Wess-
ner.
The Swedish-Estonian-Georgian Tri-
lateral Environment Project started func-
tioning in March, 2005 and lasted till
April, 2008. The project consisted of two
stages. The first stage lasted during 2005-
2007 and included consultations by
Swedish and Estonian experts on the
foundation of environmental structural
units in the Georgian military sphere and
documents on environmental issues.
Within the first stage of the project the
four-person Section of Environment
Management was formed in the J-4 Lo-
gistics Department in 2006. The division
is responsible for controlling environ-
mental management on an operative level
and planning ecological monitoring ac-
tivities on a tactical level in military sub-
divisions. It is also in charge of creating
“Blackseafor-07” Naval
Exercise Comes to Georgia
“Blackseafor-07”, a naval exercise
under the leadership of the Turkish Na-
val Command, was held in Black Sea
territorial waters from April 4 until April
22. The second stage of this training took
place in Georgian, Russian and Ukrai-
nian waters under the April 2, 2001
Istanbul Agreement of Black Sea Coun-
tries naval cooperation task group, rati-
fied by the Parliament of Georgia. All
littoral countries of the Black Sea par-
ticipated in the joint exercise.
On April 4-8 a group of tactical group
vessels including: BGS SMELI – Bul-
garia, ROS HORIA MACELLARIU –
Romania, RFS TSEZAR KUNIKOV –
Russian Federation, TCG TURGUTRE-
IS – Turkey, and UPS TERNOPOL –
Ukraine entered Georgian territorial
waters and made a port call in Batumi.
During their visit the Georgian Navy
vessel 203 MESTIA joined the tactical
group training exercises.
The main goals of the maritime ex-
ercise were to conduct search and res-
cue operations, humanitarian aid opera-
tions, sea mine clearance and a joint ac-
tion for protecting the Black Sea envi-
ronment.
During the visit to Batumi, the com-
manders of “Blackseafor-07” held meet-
ings with the chairman of the Govern-
ment of the Autonomous Republic of
Adjara, Batumi City Mayor and the
environmental reporting and database
updates. At the same time an ecological
audit of Vaziani Military Base was car-
ried out.
During 2006-2007 the following man-
uals were created in the framework of the
Commander of Naval Forces of Geor-
gia. After the meetings, protocol activi-
ties stipulated by the agreement were
carried out, including excursions, ath-
letic competitions and so on.
After the completion of naval exer-
cises in Georgian territorial waters,
“Blackseafor-07” continued in Russian
and Ukrainian territorial waters. The sec-
ond stage of the training ended in the
Ukrainian port of Sevastopol on April 22.
“Blackseafor” operative control is
carried out by the Committee of Naval
Forces of Black Sea countries, which
hands over the right of operative man-
agement to the senior officer, called “Op-
blackseafor” leader, and is presented by
the host country. The staff is completed
by each representative of the participat-
ing countries. As for the tactical manage-
ment of the maritime exercise, it is car-
ried out by “Comblackseafor” which is
completed by officers from participant
countries on a rotating basis.
During this training the “Opblack-
seafor” staff was located in the city of
Ankara, where Senior Lieutenant John
Uchaneishvili was sent as liaison offic-
er from the Georgian side. The “Com-
blackseafor” staff was located on the
Turkish Naval Forces frigate TCG TUR-
GUTREIS. Captain Mamuka Aladash-
vili was sent to this staff as logistical
officer from the Georgian side.
project: “Environmental Strategy in the
Georgian Military Sector”; “Action
Plan”; and “Military Ecological Passport
and Environmental Conception”. At this
stage work on the NATO/ISO Environ-
mental Standards is being carried out.
APRIL 2008 ISSUE #10
The Black Sea Naval Co-Operation
Task Group (Blackseafor) was created
in 2001 under the leadership of Turkey,
with the participation of all other Black
Sea littoral states: Bulgaria, Georgia,
Romania, Ukraine and Russia. The
“Blackseafor” founding agreement was
signed in Istanbul on April 2, 2001.
“Blackseafor” consists only of marine
elements without air or land units. Its
activities aren’t focused against any oth-
er countries and don’t aim to create a
military alliance against any country.
The purpose of “Blackseafor” is to pro-
mote security and stability in the Black
Sea maritime area, strengthen friendship
and good neighborly relations among the
regional states and increase interopera-
bility among those states’ naval forces.
The task group can cooperate with in-
ternational organizations like the UN
and the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The
group was created only by the partici-
pation of the countries’ naval forces.
“Blackseafor” vessels remain under
the complete command of their coun-
tries. But at the same time the partici-
pants have right to call their vessels back
at any time from the “Blackseafor” com-
position in order to carry out national
tasks after informing all parties.
Tea Kerdzevadze
The second stage of the project last-
ed from 2007 to April, 2008 and focused
on the establishment of an environmen-
tal educational system in the Georgian
Armed Forces. In the framework of this
second stage, an environmental manage-
ment course was conducted for Geor-
gian officers in Vilnius, Lithuania on
September 10-14, 2007. Those represen-
tatives of the Environment Division of
J-4 Logistics Department and Services
of Georgian Armed Forces participated
in the course and will now carry out en-
vironmental management on tactical
level.
The trilateral project became the ba-
sis of a German-Georgian Environmen-
tal Project. At the closing meeting the
Georgian side expressed its readiness for
further cooperation with foreign col-
leagues in the sphere of environmental
issues.
Tea Kerdzevadze