MAY 2009 ISSUE #23

Georgia is hosting NATO

exercises “Cooperative Longbow
Cooperative Lancer 09”
Georgia is hosting NATO ex- country. In order to be effective, These exercises are part of
ercises; Cooperative Longbow NATO and its partner countries the NATO Partnership-for-Peace
09 - Cooperative Lancer 09, have to use the same standard- Program, allowing partner coun-
from May 6th through June 1st ized procedures and perform to tries to build up an individual
2009. Planning for these exer- the same high standards. Coop- relationship with NATO. Coop-
cises began in the spring of 2008, erative Longbow 2009 enables eration with the partner countries
with the goal of improving in- participants to train in a head- as an integral part of the alli-
teroperability between NATO quarters environment, and does ance’s security policy, and plays
and partner countries, following not actually involve the deploy- an important role in its day-to-
the guidelines of Partnership for ment of troops. day work. Through its pursuit of
Peace, Mediterranean Dialogue Cooperative Longbow 09 is cooperation and different forms
and Istanbul Cooperation Initia- followed by a field training ex- of partnership with non-member
tive programmes. ercise, Cooperative Lancer 09, countries, NATO continues to
Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia which is designed to provide ba- promote security and stability,
& Herzegovina, Canada, Croat- sic training on peace support for the benefit of all.
ia, Former Yugoslav Republic of operations at the battalion level, Based on a commitment to
Macedonia, Greece, Georgia, and takes place at Vaziani bar- the democratic principles that
Hungary, Spain, Turkey, the racks from May 21st to June 1st underline the Alliance itself, the

The Mukhatgverdi Military

Memorial has Opened
A tribute to the memory of tion to build a united and pros- 23 Georgian warriors were
fallen heroes was paid once again. perous future of Georgia. I hold buried at the Mukhatgverdi Mili-
The memorial of Georgian Sol- sacred the memory of fallen he- tary cemetery. The Ministry of
diers at Mukhatgverdi Cemetery roes and hold high respect for Culture, Monuments Protection
officially opened on May 26. surviving military men. They and Sport of Georgia, and the
President of Georgia, Supreme have shown extraordinary exam- Ministry of Defence announced
Commander in Chief Mikheil ples of heroism and courage in a contest on certain projects on
Saakashvili, Defence Minister the battle with the enemy, and January 21, 2009. The winner
Vasil Sikharulidze, and Chief of will be remembered forever. amongst the 24 participants was
the Joint Staff of GAF, Major Thanks to their sacred contribu- named on February 25, 2009.
General Devi Tchankotadze, the tion Georgia will become a free Architects father and son, Lado
legislative and executive officials European state. Together with and Giorgi Khmaladzes, became
and family members and relatives Georgian soldiers there are Abk- winners of contest.
of killed Georgian servicemen hazian, Ossetian, Russian, Azer- A basilica will be raised in the
attended the ceremony. baijanian, Armenian military Mukhatgverdi Military Ceme-
A minute of silence was held men in the Georgian Armed tery. The laying the foundation of
in the honor of heroes. The Pres- Forces. We are multiethnic coun- the church, dedicated to the Geor-
ident of Georgia officially try and this is our power,” stated gian military servicemen killed
Ukraine, the United Kingdom and 2009. The aim of Exercise Co- purpose of the Partnership for
opened the memorial of the mil- President Saakashvili. during the Russian aggression
the United States are all taking operative Lancer is to train, ex- Peace is to increase stability, di-
itary servicemen who made the The Defence Minister em- started in February 2009. The
part in the multinational exercis- ercise and promote the interop- minish threats to peace and build
supreme sacrifice for Georgia in phasized the importance of this complex will be laid out on 2000
es. Lieutenant General Cayetano erability of Partnership for strengthened security relation-
the August war. The President day and made comments as well: square meters and will be finished
Mirò Valls, Commander Allied Peace/Mediterranean Dialogue ships between individual Partner
delivered a speech at the cere- “Today is a significant day, in the summer of current year.
Land Component Command Partner forces using NATO stan- countries and NATO, as well as
mony and congratulated atten- Georgia celebrates its indepen- With blessing of the Catholicos
Madrid, commands the exercise. dards set inside a Crisis Re- among Partner countries.
dants with Independence Day. dence. It is symbolic to open the Patriarch of all Georgia Basilica
Cooperative Longbow 09 is sponse Operations scenario “Defence Today” inter-
“Georgia celebrates its Indepen- memorial today of those Geor- will be named after the Hundred
a command post exercise that through a Live Fire Exercise. viewed exercise co-directors
dence Day on May 26th. Those gian servicemen who sacrificed Thousands Martyrs and built with
focuses on training and exercis- Key tasks involve securing sen- from NATO - Brigadier Gener-
soldiers, who died for Georgia in their precious lives for Georgia’s the financial support of the Min-
ing NATO staff skills and pro- sitive points and assuring a safe al Giovanni Savareze, and from
the past, would lay the founda- integrity and freedom. istry of Defence of Georgia.
cedures, improving interopera- and secure environment, with a the Georgian Military, Col. Nug-
bility between NATO and part- focus on counter-terrorism oper- zar Tsintsadze. INSIDE
ner nations for crisis response ations to prevent the destabiliza-
operations at the multinational tion of a particular area. Continued on p.2
Interview with EU Special
brigade level. The scenario is
based on a fictitious United Na- Representative for the
tions mandated, NATO-led cri-
sis response operation. The aim Exercise South Caucasus visits
of Exercise Cooperative Long-
bow is to deliver Multinational
Brigade Land staff training with
Co-Directors the Defence Ministry
Air integration training based on Brigadier General
a Crisis Response Operations National Defence
Command Post Exercise. Key Giovanni Savareze and
tasks involve securing sensitive
Col. Nugzar Tsintsadze Academy Celebrates
points and assuring a safe and
secure environment by perform-
ing Non-Combatant Evacuation
the 16th Anniversary
Operations, Counter-Terrorism
Georgia’s Military Strategy
and Consequence Management and New Security Priorities Recruits have Completed
missions in order to prevent the
destabilization of an emerging of Georgia BCT Program
2 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY MAY 2009 ISSUE #23

Interview with Exercise Co-Directors

Brigadier General Giovanni Savareze and Col. Nugzar Tsintsadze
Continued from p.1 ings like “Cooperative Longbow/
Lancer 2009”?
Exercise Co-director, Deputy Chief It is difficult for me to speculate on
of J-3 Operation Planning Department that, as the importance of exercises like
of the Joint Staff of GAF, Col. Nugzar this for Host Nations is defined by the
Tsintsadze. Host Nations themselves, in this case
Georgia. However, exercises like “Co-
What is the purpose of the ongo- operative Longbow and Lancer” are
ing multinational military exercises building blocks within the Partnership
known as “Cooperative Longbow/ for Peace program – the program that is
Lancer 2009”? aimed at increasing stability, diminish-
In previous years, military exercises ing threats to peace and a strengthened
used to be conducted separately due to security environment.
their different nature, i.e. Cooperative Multinational military exercises
Longbow” is command post exercise, “Cooperative Longbow/Lancer 2009”
and “Cooperative Lancer” is a field- entered in its active phase. It’s already
training one with the participation of finished its first part “Cooperative
subunits. Afterwards, these two modes Longbow 2009”. How do you evalu-
of trainings were combined for econo- ate the results of “Cooperative Long-
mizing the resources, needed for ade- bow”?
quate material supply of exercises. Very successful. Through a robust
The military drill “Cooperative teaching and training program we con-
Longbow” is aimed at: ducted this staff (no troops were involved)
- practicing and exercising Infantry exercise, set within a Peace Support Op-
Brigade Staff for crisis response opera- erations scenario in a fictional country.
tions; NATO does this every year in different
- effectively resolving anti-terrorist countries - 2006 in Moldova, 2007 in Al-
and security issues with a view to pre- Brigadier General Giovanni Savareze and Col. Nugzar Tsintsadze at the openning ceremony
bania and last year in Armenia. Compar-
venting the risk of destabilization in a ing the results of this exercise with those
certain area; countries been informed about the held under the framework of NATO/ critical situations, will be effectively of the past is showing that this year’s ex-
- enhancement of qualification military trainings? When was infor- PfP program? capable to faithfully perform all the ercise can be described as very successful
among the participants, training and ex- mation regarding “Cooperative Long- In 1994 Georgia joined Partnership- commitments assumed despite a num- and satisfying for both - the trainers as well
ercising NATO staff skills and proce- bow/Lancer 2009 made public and for-Peace Program (PfP) and since 1998 ber of existing obstacles. What’s more as the training audiences.
dures; were the exercises preceded by appro- has been actively engaged in all the Georgia is step-by-step aspiring towards What kind of training will COLR
- improving the interoperability be- priate planning activities? events arranged under PfP program. achieving interoperability with NATO implement? How can it affect the ex-
tween PfP and partner nations through PfP member countries, as a rule, makes What is the liability of Georgia as and its partner nations, which I think will perience of participants and what
the employment of NATO standards in an official statement in the Organization- a host country? be later given a proper evaluation. they will learn from the exercises?
crisis response operations; al Headquarters one year before launch- Georgia, as a host country is respon- What would you wish for the exer- Basic military skills on soldier’s lev-
- exercising the concrete skills for the ing exercises, stating there its readiness on sible for organizational and material pro- cise participants? el, focused on situations to be expected
conduct of the anti-terrorist and securi- hosting the exercises (unofficially the in- vision (only partial) in the course of ex- First of all I would like to mention within the ongoing Peace Support Oper-
ty measures in prevention of destabili- formation on exercises may be known 2- ercises. that the NATO-led exercises in Georgia ations under NATO Command. Exam-
zation in a certain area; 3 years earlier.) The next stage covers the What is the number of Georgian are designed to promote mastering the ples of this training: Counter improvised
- at the level of individual and small detailed inspection of the training sites in servicemen participating in multina- necessary skills and procedures not only explosive devises; first medical aid, pa-
multinational subunits (company, pla- the country chosen by HQ and in case of tional exercises and what kind of ex- for the servants of various ranks ( offic- trolling, building searches and much
toons entering into battalions) improv- positive decision (procedure of legal na- perience they will gain after going ers, sergeants and corporals) but for more. The effect of the exercise on the
ing military interaction alongside the ture), there comes the discussion of orga- through them? military personnel working in organi- experience of the participants is hard to
perfection of military skills among in- nizational issues (including sending offi- Exercise “Cooperative Longbow-09” zational head-quarters and among them define. Having said that, I must point out
fantry men. cial invitations to the candidate countries included 160 military servicemen from for me as well. In the course of “Co- that learning is not a stand alone process.
The exercises on Georgian territo- for participation) and arranging the plan- Georgia, among which 70 servicemen operative Longbow-09” me and my col- Participants quite often are very well
ry have been sharply criticized by ning conferences (initial, medium and fi- were involved directly in trainings and league, co-director Jovani Savareze trained already and therefore informally
Russia. What is your point-of-view nal conferences). In our case all the re- the rest being the representatives of or- were frequently observing the progress shifted into a teacher’s role. Everybody
about the importance of this kind of quired procedures have been observed. ganizational headquarters and material- of drills when he would occasionally ask is sharing his or her experience and the
military drills? Georgia made an official statement (about technical supply staff. me if I was content with the ongoing sum of this is greater that the total.
As for the sharp reactions from the hosting the military exercises) in May of In regards to “Cooperative Longbow- exercises and my answer was that my Are you satisfied with the level of
Russian side in relation to NATO-led 2008. First planning conference was or- 09”, there are 496 Georgian military ser- satisfaction would largely depend on the exercises preparation?
exercises in Georgia, they should not be ganized in Turkey, Izmir (2008) and the vicemen participating, out of which 374 final outcomes of drills, which should The level of exercise preparation is
taken into consideration, as Russia is following two ones in Georgia, Tbilisi servants are involved in a multinational be expressed in arranging the exercises deemed satisfactory. Due to time con-
well aware of the actual nature of this (January and March 2009). battalion, 18 servicemen being instruc- with a high level of organizational and straints and delays, the preparation of
kind of drills due to its intensive partic- Have military exercises of similar tors, and the rest of them- representa- material provision and in ultimate satis- the exercise can be improved upon, but
ipation in international military exercis- type been conducted before in Geor- tives of organizational headquarters and faction of all servicemen without ex- we brought in a strong team and up un-
es in the capacity of observer. “Cooper- gia, within NATO/PfP framework? material-technical supply staff. ceptions, acquiring necessary skills and til now, both exercises have been run-
ative Longbow/Lancer 09” represents Georgia first hosted the NATO/PfP Furthermore the experience having experiences through the exercises. ning smoothly. Our Georgian counter-
the mode of exercise, which covers prac- exercises in 2002 titled as “Best Effort acquired from participation in “Coop- parts have been doing a very good job
ticing of military skills and procedures 02”. Besides, Georgia participated in erative Longbow-09” and to be gained Exercise Co-director, Deputy Com- in providing us support.
to be employed only in peace operations, another similar type of exercise orga- from “Cooperative Lancer-09”, will sig- mander Allied Land Component Com- What will you wish to the partici-
excluding involvement of heavy mili- nized within the frames of NATO/PfP nificantly contribute to the enhancement mand, Madrid, Brigadier General Gio- pants of the event?
tary armament and numerous armed titled “Rescue 04”-2004 and Air Exer- of interoperability with NATO stan- vanni Savareze. First of all, it is a good exercise and
forces that might in any way create cise “Archer-07-2207. dards, along with improvement of pro- additionally a safe one. Next to this is a
threat for any country. Since what time has Georgia been cedural issues such as working on nec- What do you think, how important wish for a safe return to their homes.
Have NATO members and partner participating in the military drills essary documents and papers according it is for Georgia to hold military train- Tea Chonishvili
to NATO standards, working in teams
with other countries’ representatives
which is quite difficult and responsible
one. In the course of the exercises vari-
ous cultural and sport events are being
planned, encouraging better relations
with the representatives of different
countries present in Georgia.
To what extent will the multina-
tional military drills contribute to our
future NATO Integration?
The more the number of Georgian
officers, sergeants and corporals going
through the exercises are, the greater will
be the chances for Georgia to achieve
the full-scale integration into the Alli-
ance.
In my mind, holding of above-said
multinational exercises within the Geor-
gian territory is a clear evidence of the
fact that NATO and its partner nations
have full confidence in Georgia and in
its armed forces, that they, in case of
MAY 2009 ISSUE #23 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
3

EU Special Representative for the South

Georgia’s Military Strategy and Caucasus visits the Defence Ministry
New Security Priorities of Georgia Recent developments in the conflict
zones and ongoing processes in the
Georgian Armed Forces were the com-
concerns and indignation with Peter
Semneby about the Russians activities
there. Proliferations of the Russian
mon subjects of discussion at a meeting troops in these regions have been the
with Peter Semneby, at the Ministry of subject of today’s discussions, as well.
Defence. The EU Special Representa- And what`s more, the Six-Point Cease-
tive for the South Caucasus, Peter Sem- fire Agreement is still not being ob-
neby held the meeting with the Defence served by the Russian side.”- stated the
Minister Vasil Sikharulidze and his Dep- Defence Minister of Georgia.
uty, Giorgi Muchaidze. The EU repre- “We held very interesting and fruit-
sentative also expressed his interest in ful discussions with the Defence Minis-
the details, regarding the attempted mu- ter. While dealing with these important
tiny at the Mukhrovani military base. issues; we have focused on the recent
Georgia informed the guests about the negative developments in the conflict
situation in the territories occupied by zones. The European Union Monitoring
the Russian aggressors. After ending the Mission (EUMM) will continue its work
close-door meeting the Defence Minster in the conflict zones. The EU expresses
of Georgia and the UE Special Repre- its interest regarding the political state
sentative have made comments for jour- in Georgia because of our partnership
nalists: with Georgia. We have also considered
“We have discussed the existing cir- ongoing processes in GAF and the re-
cumstances in the occupied zones and cent incident which took place in the
gave details about recent developments Mukhrovani Military Base,” mentioned
in these regions. We have shared our Peter Semneby.

Last week the city of Batumi hosted sian Federation it became quite obvious, in the development of such important
the “Georgia Defence Conference”, that already existing National Security papers. I am very glad that the partici-
where national security priorities of Concept and Strategy needs to be once pants of the conference fully shared the
Georgia were being discussed for two again revised. In this process we will be priorities of the Georgian Armed Forc-
days. The conference was attended by actively assisted by our NATO col- es. We put special emphasis on com-
leadership of the Defence Ministry and leagues ultimately leading to the cre- mand and control systems, as well as on
the Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed ation of more efficient armed forces, enhancement of defence capabilities of
Forces, together with representatives of capable of defending the homeland.” the Georgian Armed Forces. Elaboration
other state entities foreign and local ex- The conference organized by Minis- of Reserve System is of utmost impor-
perts, NATO international office and try of Defence of Georgia aimed to build tance also. I regard that we must devel-
military attachés of Alliance member up NATO-Georgia’s future relations, op a new, separate concept for Reserve
states accredited to Georgia. national military strategy, security sec- Service. The Georgian Armed Forces
The conference was opened by De- tor strengthening and national security will focus on relevantly small-sized but
fence Minister, Vasil Sikharulidze. In his process development. One of the key effective and well-prepared reserve forc-
opening remarks he outlined the impor- tasks of the conference included empha- es. Another important direction among
tance of the document. “We are busy sizing actuality and future prospects in the top priorities is personnel manage-
with the discussion of a new strategic the NATO-Georgia relations and calling ment issue that is the significant factor
document of Georgia today. This docu- attention to the new paper of the Nation- for effective functioning of Armed Forc-
ment was developed in January of the al Military Strategy of Georgia. es. We’ll pay special importance to ed-
current year and covers all key concerns. At the end of the conference we ucation, training and resource manage-
The main priority of the document, asked Vasil Sikharulidze to evaluate and ment systems. The recommendations
among others, is Georgia’s NATO inte- give us more detailed information con- that were submitted by the foreign and
gration.”- stated Vasil Sikharulidze. cerning the outcomes of the conference, Georgian experts here today are very
State Minister of Georgia on Euro- to which he replied; “Georgia Defence important for us,” declared Vasil
pean and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Conference” was very interesting and Sikharulidze.
Giorgi Baramidze shared his attitude successful. Such kinds of discussions on The final version of the document
towards the subjects at the conference political documents are always very will be elaborated on next month.
as well: “After the War with the Rus- important, as society is actively involved Shalva Londaridze

National Defence Academy Recruits have

Celebrates the 16th Anniversary Completed BCT Program
Georgia’s Basic Combat Training es, they will begin military service at
lishment. The Academy graduates still
(BCT) Course has ended. The somber various infantry brigades and separate
continue serving in the Georgian armed
graduation ceremony of BCT recruits battalions.
forces making their valuable contribu-
was held in Krtsanisi Training Centre. According to the order of the Chief
tion to its further development. Many
832 military servicemen have suc- of JS of GAF, BCT program instructors,
of them died as heroes in the August di-
cessfully graduated the courses and have heads and recruits have been granted
sastrous war and we will hold their
been granted certificates. Successful re- certificates and invested with bonuses.
memory sacred forever.
cruits of the BCT program will be allo- Some of instructors have been given
Nowadays Georgia is facing impor-
cated to the 2nd and 4th Infantry Bri- their military ranks prematurely.
tant challenges. Our basic goal for the
gades and SF, and continue military ser- The Commander of Military Educa-
present time is to develop the real Geor-
vice. Other students will continue edu- tion and Trainings, Major Lasha Beridze
gian army, of course with your help,
cation through acquired specializations. attended today’s event at the Krtsanisi
which will be compatible with interna-
After the completion of artillery cours- National Training Centre.
tionally accepted standards being capa-
ble of efficiently defending the security
and independence of Homeland”.
Minister added as well that the trans-
formation of national armed forces ac-
cording to the international standards
provides the basis for creation of strong
and efficient army and this kind of trans-
National Defence Academy is cele- was paid to the precious memory of Rus- formation should be achieved through
brating the 16 years of its foundation. sian-Georgian war heroes. the introduction of new military educa-
The Academy personnel was personal- Later on Minister made an address tional standards.
ly congratulated with this jubilee by for the Academy personnel, instructors Under Minister‘s order, special med-
Minister of Defence Vasil Sikharulidze. and listeners. als, certificates and material compensa-
The event was attended as well by First “The roots of National Defence tions were granted to the Academy of-
Deputy Minister Vladimer Chachibaia, Academy stems from the history of ficers, sergeants and corporals for the
Deputy Chief of Joint Staff Brigadier Georgian distinguished Commanders. It meritorious service accomplished in the
General Davit Nairashvili and other is great honor for us to be still engaged military field.
leaders from Ministry. in the fight for freedom and indepen- On 10 September 2001 the military
The celebration was proceeded in a dence of the Georgian state. institution was given the status of De-
solemn environment on Academy‘s ter- Since the foundation of the Acade- fence National Academy and on 20 Feb-
ritory. Meanwhile the event the State my more than two thousand students ruary 2003 the Academy was named af-
Anthem has been performed and tribute have graduated this Educational Estab- ter Davit Agmashenebeli.
4 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY MAY 2009 ISSUE #23

th
May 9 Celebration in Vake Park
World War II veterans celebrated the minute of silence was held in honour of
64th anniversary of the Victory over heroes of the Great Patriotic War and
Fascism on May 9th in Vake Park. As a Georgian military servicemen fallen for
tradition, Georgian veterans assembled the territorial integrity of Georgia in
at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and August 2008.
recalled the hardest days they overcame Defence Minister of Georgia Vasil
64 years ago. Sikharulidze, appropriated Victory Day
The solemn ceremony was attended to the Georgian veterans: “Dear Veter-
by Minister of Defence Vasil Sikha- ans, Officers… I want to congratulate
rulidze, his Deputy Gela Berdzenishvili, you on the Victory Day over Fascism
Chief of the Joint Staff of GAF, Major and would like to mention that during
General Devi Chankotadze and other the Great Patriotic War, there was not
MoD and GAF leadership. Chairmen of one family who hadn’t victimized a
the Georgian Parliament Davit Bak- member for gaining victory. You fought
radze, Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava, and against Fascism. You did everything to
Chairman of Veterans’ Department beat evil by kindness. I wish you suc-
Nukri Tsagareishvili along with the rep- cess, health, happiness and long life”.
resentatives of the diplomatic corps, as The deputy Minister of Defence Gela
they congratulated the veterans with Berdzenishvili also congratulated Vic-
their Day of Victory. tory over the Fascism to the Georgian
The grave ceremony dedicated to the Veterans. In his speech, he mentioned
Victory Day was accompanied by the battles in the Crimea after which most
Military Orchestra of MoD. Along with Georgians died against the German Nazi
the Georgian National Anthem the lead- Army.
ership of the Ministry of Defence of The sombre ceremony in Vake Park
Georgia laid wreathes at the Tomb of the was concluded with the song “Tbiliso”
Unknown Soldier. After this ritual, a played by Tbilisi Mayer Musical Band.

Deputy Assistant Secretary The US War College Delegation meets

of Defence of USA at the Georgian Defence Minister
Defence Ministry The US War College delegation paid
a visit to Georgia. The delegation mem-
bers were received by the Defence Min-
Georgia made the presentation regard-
ing “Main Trends of the Defence Poli-
cy” for the US visitors.
visited the city of Gori on May 16th,
where they viewed the infrastructure of
the First Infantry Brigade, which was
The Defence Minister of Georgia re- Annual National Plan. In addition, sides
ister of Georgia. The US War College delegation will damaged by the Russian aggressors.
ceived the Deputy Assistant Secretary considered the participation possibilities
The US guests held meetings with
of Defence of the USA in European and of Georgian Contingent in ISAF opera-
the Head of Department International
NATO Policy affairs. Main trends of bi- tions.
Relations and Euro-Atlantic Integra-
lateral collaboration in a defence field Mr. Vasil Sikharulidze introduced
tion, Marika Laliashvili, Head of De-
between Georgian and the United States defence priorities of Georgia and “Min-
fence Policy and Planning Department,
were the main subjects of discussion at ister’s Vision 2009” to the Deputy As-
Nodar Kharshiladze and Acting Head
the meeting. Collaboration vectors sistant Secretary of Defence of the USA,
of J-5 Strategic Planning and Military
agreed by BDC and Colonels Working Ms. Marry Warlick, and she expressed
Policy Department of JS, Levan Sikha-
Group have been evaluated by Mr. Va- readiness for further support in reforms’
rulidze. Ongoing reforms in the Geor-
sil Sikharulidze, as well as Ms. Marry successful implementation.
gian Armed Forces, defence priorities
Warlick. The meeting was attended by Depu-
and NATO integration prospects were
In accordance with the National Se- ty Defence Minister, Giorgi Muchaidze
the focus at the meeting. All measures
curity Document, parties discussed all from the Georgian side and the USA
and activities, related to the strategic
the instruments to be prepared at an in- Ambassador to Georgia, H.E. John Tef-
and operational issues to be implement-
terdepartmental level. Discussions dur- ft and Acting Military Attaché, LTC
ed by Joint Staff of GAF were dis-
ing the meeting were related as well, to Michael Varuolo, from the US.
cussed. In the course of the meeting,
the implementation of concrete mea- Ms. Marry Warlick arrived in Geor-
sures envisaged under NATO-Georgia gia on an official visit on May 6th.

Concerts to bolster Georgian

Servicemen’s Spirits
Stars and celebrities of Georgian Show” have performed popular songs spirits and maintaining a cheerful mood.
show business performed in concert for and parodies for servants. The concert Stars of Georgian show business plan
the Georgian Military servicemen. The lasted for an hour, and was organized to hold concerts in Kojori and Vaziani
musical performance was held on the by the Defence Ministry. military bases, as well. Georgian sing-
Base of the 1st Infantry Brigade in the Representatives of Georgian show ers are visiting the military units locat-
city of Gori. Georgian leading singers business sang for the spectators in support ed in the western regions of Georgia to
and comic actors of well-liked “Club of the military servicemen, for raising their perform musical shows.

Norwegian Field
Engineers in Zemo Nikozi
On the 21st of May, personnel of the by Norwegian specialists for most part
Field Engineering Organization (NPA) of the area. Demining operations
currently operating in Georgia, trans- throughout the territory are being mon-
ferred the land area in the Gori village itored by Mines and Explosives Coor-
of Zemo Kartli of about 98,705 m2 to dination Centre (IMMAP/ERWCC).
the local authorities for clearing the ter- The international organizations men-
ritory from various hazardous and ex- tioned above were invited to Georgia by
plosive materials, left as remnants of the the Ministry of Defence of Georgia in
Russian aggression which occurred last September of last year, for leading the
summer in Georgia. mine-clearing operations in the Gori re-
This portion of the territory is divid- gion. It should be mentioned that Nor-
ed into five sections. At present mine- wegian specialists are providing assis-
clearing activities are being carried on tance to Georgia as a charitable donation.