FEBRUARY 2008 ISSUE #8

International Seminar in NATO Permanent

Sheraton Metechi Palace Representatives Visit Georgia
On February 18-19 Sheraton
Metechi Palace hosted an interna-
tional seminar within the frame-
work of Euro-Atlantic Partnership
Council (EAPC). The seminar
“Economic Aspects of Security:
Improving Governance and Integ-
rity in the Defence and Security
Sector” was organized by the Min-
istry of Defence and Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
Such kind of seminar was held
in Georgia in 2004. This time, 45
people from 14 countries partici-
pated in the conference seminar.
Participants were the representa-
tives of NATO member countries,
partnership council, Defence
Ministries of different countries,
international organizations and
research institutions. The military
attaches accredited in Georgia
and high-level experts of Gene-
va Centre for the Democratic
Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)
From this point of view, it is very
productive to share experiences
with one another. This will help
us to become defence financing
more effective, more optimal and
mostly oriented to the result. Our
result is to provide maximal secu-
rity and strengthen defence abili-
ty of the country.
Economic and social issues
are one of the most important,
which will finally discuss our in-
tegration to NATO. This confer-
ence is very important and I am
sure in case it undergoes perfect-
ly, it will bring positive results.”
The main issues of the confer-
ence-seminar included defence
budget and other economic is-
sues. Also the following sessions
were discussed during the semi-
nar: Improving Governance in the
Management of Resources (Ac-
countability, Transparency, Inter-
nal and External Control); Pub-
esting for Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan. We know that the
three countries have made
progress in their defence reforms.
Certainly, the level of ambition of
all of these countries is different.
Georgia has a very strong com-
mitment, aiming at future NATO
membership. In this respect we all
know that Georgia has success-
fully developed its Strategic De-
fence Review. Next step in your
country would be to improve the
defence planning and budgeting
system and this seminar brings
concrete knowledge in this area.
It leads to better understanding of
defence planning and budgeting
issues and, in general, defence re-
sources management mecha-
nisms. I also find this seminar
useful for the other two South
Caucasus countries, because they
are facing the issues of develop-
ing their SDRs as well as defence NATO Permanent Representatives at Vashlijvari Base

who work on economic issues
and discuss economic subjects
also attended the seminar. The
Head of International Relations
and Euro-Atlantic Integration De-
partment of the Ministry of De-
fence of Georgia Ms. Nini
Bakradze opened the internation-
al seminar.
During the session “Costs and
Benefits of Defence and Security
Budget Reforms, including Out-
put Based Budgeting” Deputy
Head of Defence Policy and Plan-
ning Department Mr. Shalva Dze-
bisashvili presented the presenta-
tion concerning “Undergoing Re-
forms in Defence Planning
Sphere”. During the break he
made the following comment: “A
very important seminar is taking
place today. This is one of the con-
ferences of Euro-Atlantic Partner-
ship Council in Georgia, which
discusses defence planning, also
resources and efficiency quality of
finance distribution as on govern-
mental as well as on Defence Min-
istry level. This conference is im-
portant because we show not only
what has been carried out in this
concept in Georgia – what our
achievements, our defects are.
This conference is a positive way
for us to share what experiences
our foreign partners have in this
regard. Many of our foreign part-
ners don’t possess any experience
as they are at the beginning level.
lic-Private Partnership –
Strengths and Weaknesses; Build-
ing Integrity in an Inter-Agency
Environment: Economic Aspects;
Economic Implications of the
“Holistic Governance Approach”
to Defence and security Sectors
Reforms.
NATO/PFP Liaison Officer in
the South Caucasus Mr. Zbigniew
Rybacki positively estimated the
seminar: “Let me just make a few
comments. I would like to point
out three things because we are
just at the beginning of the con-
ference. First thing: quite often,
especially in the post-Soviet Union
area, people consider NATO to be
“purely” a military pact. This sem-
inar clearly shows that what
NATO does with its Allies and es-
pecially with its Partners is dis-
cussing broad spectrum of areas,
topics, including, among others,
budgeting, economic issues, sci-
ence, environmental protection
etc. This aspect is very important,
from my point of view. The con-
ference happening now in Tbilisi
shows that we do care about other
issues like economics and we can
show the linkage between econo-
mies and security, especially in the
context of Euro-Atlantic integra-
tion. That’s one point.
Another point is that being a
NATO Liaison Officer to the
South Caucasus region I find this
conference very useful and inter-
planning and budgeting systems.
The third thing that I would
like to point out is that one of the
values of such a seminar is bring-
ing people together, making them
talk to each other and serving as
a good platform for exchange of
views. This is, I think, very im-
portant, especially in this region.
To sum up, we can already say
that this is an excellent event and,
personally, I am looking forward
to further interesting discussions.”
In conclusion, the participants
analyzed the previous sessions,
made discussions and follow-up
proposals. At the end of the sem-
inar Deputy Director NATO De-
fence and Security Economics
Directorate Mr. Michael Gaul
made a few comments and esti-
mations regarding the meeting:
“During the working meeting of
Euro-Atlantic Partnership Coun-
cil we discuss several different
issues. The first one was connect-
ed with the value of defence bud-
geting reforms and benefits. We
have reviewed defence budget.
The next subject was related to
budget developing and managing
issues, also with transparency and
control. We are very satisfied with
this meeting. Sharing experience
was very beneficial for each of
us. This kind of conference will
help all participant countries de-
velop their defence budgets.”
Tea Kerdzevadze
The five-person delegation of
permanent representatives of the
Euro-Atlantic Council paid an
official visit to Georgia during
February 14-16. The purpose of
the visit was to support Georgia
on its path to NATO integration.
On February 14 the delega-
tion members met Deputy De-
fence Minister Giorgi Muchaid-
ze. Together they visited the
Vashlijvari Military Base for
Special Operational Group. The
guests saw its infrastructure and
got acquainted with the training
program.
The permanent representative
of Latvia in NATO Janis Eich-
manis was very satisfied with the
preparation level of Georgian
Armed Forces’ personnel: “The
preparation of Georgian Armed
Forces is on a high-level. I con-
sider that Georgian Army will
have to actively participate in
international peacekeeping oper-
ations, including in Afghanistan
carried out under the NATO aus-
pices.”
Interview with Defence
Attache of the Federal
Republic of Germany to
Georgia, Lieutenant
Colonel (GS) Christian
Farkhondeh
44th Munich Conference
on Security Policy
English Language
Comprehension Tests
“During the recent years ment about the meeting: “We
Georgian Armed Forces have discussed issues of the addition-
been progressing gradually. I al activities on the way to NATO
hope the permanent representa- integration, which perhaps will
tives’ visit is another step for- be positively depicted at Bucha-
ward for Georgia which will pro- rest Summit. At the meeting all
mote fulfillment of NATO Indi- ambassadors expressed readi-
vidual Partnership Action Plan,” ness to support Georgia’s getting
stated Deputy Defence Minister MAP.”
Giorgi Muchaidze. “All we are here with a group
Next day the members of the of NATO Ambassadors and we
delegation met the First Deputy discussed in this meeting various
Defence Minister Batu Kutelia. aspects of how Georgia has de-
Giorgi Muchaidze attended the veloped both politically and eco-
meeting as well. The meeting nomically, but also in terms of
was related to the issues concern- defence reforms. In NATO there
ing Georgia’s integration into are debates of NATO approach-
NATO, Georgia’s perspectives at ing Georgia and Georgia ap-
NATO Bucharest Summit in proaching NATO and in this
April 2008 and our aspirations framework we came to visit. We
towards NATO integration. The did not come here to recom-
sides also conversed about the mend. Georgia has developed
carried out reforms and the ways very well, we are very satisfied.
to ensure a more successful ful- We came to talk and to look
fillment of the reforms. They around,” - declared Permanent
also mentioned issues related to Representative of the Republic
Ukraine. of Estonia to the Nort Atlantic
The First Deputy Minister Treaty Organisation, Ambassa-
Batu Kutelia made a few com- dor Juri Luik.
INSIDE
Photo Contest “My
Soldier”
Trainings with
Modernized Tanks
The Peacekeeping
English Project in
Georgia
Reserve Retraining
Started
2 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
Interview with Defence Attache of the
Federal Republic of Germany to Georgia,
Lieutenant Colonel (GS) Christian Farkhondeh
Mr. Christian, you are the newly
appointed Defence Attache of the
Federal Republic of Germany to
Georgia. What have you heared
about Georgia before? How are you
getting used to this new position?
As you know, through our history
the relationship between our countries,
as well as between our populations was
always very distinguished, and during
the last decades, these unique common
relations became more lively. Not only
the brief episode of Georgia’s indepen-
dence from 1918-1921 was actively
supported by Germany. Moreover, af-
ter the end of the Cold War Germany
was the first country that recognized the
Democratic Republic of Georgia in
1992 and established diplomatic rela-
tions with it. Therefore the knowledge
about Georgia is relatively high in Ger-
many. Concerning myself, I was pre-
pared for my new assignment very se-
riously including language training and
a four months long military attaché
course in Germany. Therefore I realised
very soon that the position of a Defence
Attaché is a responsible task. To work
within a diplomatic mission for the very
first time is a new experience for me,
but the whole staff of the German Em-
bassy and the Ambassador made my
start very smooth. Concerning the
Georgian side, especially the leadership
of the MoD gave me a very warm wel-
come. It was not very difficult to get
used to the new situation, because ev-
ery time we faced some difficulties,
there were very friendly Georgians, like
neighbours, policemen and comrades in
arms, who helped us as I never had ex-
perienced before. This friendly atmo-
sphere made it also very easy for my
wife and our two daughters, two and
seven years old, to feel at home in
Georgia.
What will you emphasize in the
framework of German-Georgian po-
litical and military relations?
In the Caucasus and Central Asia,
Georgia is the only focal country of
German military development assis-
tance. Germany works as the coordi-
nator of the Group of Friends of the
United Nations Secretary General and
is actively involved in the efforts to
resolve the conflict in the separatist
Abkhaz region peacefully. Germany
provides the biggest national contin-
gent of military observers, civil police
and medical personnel to the United
Nations Observer Mission in Georgia
(UNOMIG). Germany has actively pro-
moted the integration of Georgia into
the Euro-Atlantic structures and pushed
for the inclusion of your country into
the so called “European Neighbour-
hood Policy”. During the last 15 years,
cooperation between the German MoD
and the Georgian MoD has intensified
and contributed to mutual appreciation
and understanding in many military
fields. Until now almost 2.000 Geor-
gian soldiers have received training or
education in various Bundeswehr mil-
itary educational institutions, ranging
from the highest ranking General Staff
Academy to courses for other officers
such as e.g. battalion commander, com-
pany commander and medical courses
at other institutions. Georgia has al-
ready transformed from a security con-
sumer to a security provider. Due to this
fact Germany enjoys a fruitful cooper-
ation with its Georgian partner, espe-
Defence Attache of the Federal Republic of Germany to Georgia, Lieutenant Colonel (GS) Christian Farkhondeh
cially in the Multinational Peacekeep-
ing Operation KFOR in Kosovo.
Cooperation in development of
Georgia’s Sergeant Training School
is being successfully implemented.
What is the result of this assistance?
In recent years the partnership be-
tween the German Bundeswehr and the
Georgian Armed Forces has been in-
creased especially concerning sergeant-
training and education. For this task
Germany provides a military advisor
since 2002. Signing the partnership
agreement between the Hammelburg
Infantry School of Germany and the
Sergeant Training School of Georgia in
2006 has further strengthened cooper-
ation between both sides. It is the task
of the Georgian side to evaluate the re-
sults of this German assistance, but as
far as I know the Georgian Brigade
Commanders are very satisfied with the
performance of Sergeants who success-
fully passed the courses at the NCO
School. I was told that the German sup-
port for the NCO School is of high val-
ue to the development of the Georgian
Armed Forces by helping create a pro-
fessional Sergeant Corps according to
NATO requirements. In the future the
NCO School will be transformed into
a truly joint institution by providing
courses for the Navy and Air Force too.
What will you say about the plan
of bilateral military cooperation dur-
ing 2008 and what activities did you
underline last year?
Cooperation in the individual mili-
tary training, the military-medical and
the logistics fields are the main direc-
tions of bilateral cooperation between
the Federal Republic of Germany and
Georgia in the defence field. Accord-
ing to the joint decision of the German
and Georgian sides, cooperation in new
FEBRUARY 2008 ISSUE #8
fields such as the Navy and Air Force
will be launched in 2008. Germany also
assists the Georgian Armed Forces in
the establishment of an Environmental
Management System. With the finan-
cial help and experts from Germany the
first phase of this project has already
been accomplished, in particular the
Dedopliplistkaro Ammunition Storage
has been reconstructed. NATO environ-
mental guidelines have been developed
and relevant reports have been submit-
ted to the appropriate authorities of the
MoD of Georgia. The second stage of
the project envisages environmental
monitoring of all military sites, includ-
ing former Russian Military Bases,
where the threat of hazardous waste is
of high likelihood. In the framework of
bilateral cooperation, in December
2007 the Georgian Armed Forces re-
ceived 37 tons of military-medical
equipment for the military hospital in
Gori and for military field hospitals.
During 2008 the transfer of 25 military
ambulance vehicles and also some ad-
ditional equipment for the Sergeant
School is planned.
What is your action plan in Geor-
gia as Defence Attache´?
The previous year made it clear that
military-political and military relations
between Georgia and Germany are
based on stabile and reliable founda-
tions and for 2008 it is planned to in-
crease our military cooperation. I will
do my best to strengthen, deepen and
develop the military political relations
and military cooperation between
Georgia and Germany. The close dia-
logue between our two MoDs is ongo-
ing and had a very successful start this
year. After the fruitful talks between
First Deputy Defence Minister Batu
Kutelia, Deputy Defence Minister
Giorgi Muchaidze and German Depu-
ty Defence Minister Thomas Kos-
sendey at the Munich Conference for
Security Policy an official visit of Mr.
Thomas Kossendey to Georgia is
planned for 2008. Beside this I try to
introduce Germany not just from the
point of the defence sphere but also in-
form Georgians better about the culture
and traditions of my country. Further I
want to make my counterparts sure that
Germany is and will be a reliable part-
ner on the Georgian´s reform path. The
main aim of my action plan is of course
to further assist the Georgian Armed
Forces on their successful way to euro-
atlantic integration.
Your wishes and recommenda-
tions?
So due to a good preparation and
lucky circumstances it was not difficult
for me and my family to get used to
Georgia, the Georgians and my new re-
sponsibility. I am glad to have the op-
portunity to serve my country in Geor-
gia and I hope that also my wife and our
daughters will make further outstanding
experiences in Georgia. I hope that I can
meet the high expectations as a facilita-
tor and mediator between Georgia and
Germany for the benefit of both sides. I
wish that the Georgian MoD continues
the impressive progress in the imple-
mentation of defense reforms without
any major setbacks, and will further
widen its role as a security provider
through its tremendous contribution to
international peacekeeping efforts.
Nino Gogochishvili
FEBRUARY 2008 ISSUE #8 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
3

44th Munich Conference English Language

on Security Policy
This year once again numerous high-
profile representatives of the international
security community gathered in Munich
to discuss global political issues.
From 8th to 10th of February several
heads of state and government and 40 for-
eign and defence ministers debated a wide
range of security issues at the 44th Securi-
ty Conference under the label “WORLD
IN DISARRAY - SHIFTINGS POWERS
- LACK OF STRATEGIES.”
The Munich Conference on Security
Policy inarguably ranks among the ma-
jor political meetings. Altogether, 250
delegates from 50 countries came to the
Bavarian capital, the “Davos for security
policy” for the event.
The President of Georgia Mikheil
Saakashvili addressed the distinguished
audience at the conference. The Georgian
Deputy Defence Ministers, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and State Minister on
European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
were among the top-ranking politicians
and experts in foreign and security poli-
cy from all over the world.
On the sidelines of the security con-
ference the First Deputy Defence Minis-
ter Batu Kutelia and Deputy Defence
Minister Giorgi Muchaidze held meet-
ings with their counterparts, Parliamen-
tary State Secretary of the Federal Min-
istry of Defence Thomas Kossendey and
Lithuanian MoND Undersecretary R.
Norkus.
The focus at the beginning of the con-
ference was on a general strategy debate.
The general subject of the conference
referred to the resolution of global con-
flicts, but then the focus shifted to the
continued engagement of the internation-
al community in Afghanistan.
The topics on the agenda of the Mu-
nich 44th Security Conference were: the
Atlantic Alliance- Bucharest and Beyond;
the Future of Arms Control; Challenges
to European Stability; Turkey’s Foreign
Policy and Security Interests; Where is
Russia Going? A New Attempt for an All-
European Security Order and Asia: Build-
ing International Stability.
President Saakashvili took part in a pan-
el discussion along with the presidents of
Moldova and Macedonia, Vladimir Voro-
nin and Branko Crvenkovski, and Slove-
nian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel.
Photos by Harald Dettenborn
At the Munich Conference President
of Georgia reiterated that integration into
the Euro-Atlantic alliance would be the
basis of our stability, our security and our
economic prosperity. “Our decision to
look west made sense for Georgia. We
are joined by a common and unbreakable
bond – one based on culture – on our
shared history and identity – and on a
common set of values.” He underscored
the strong support of the Georgian popu-
lation for NATO integration and noted
that according to the results of the plebi-
scite 77 percent of the Georgian people
supported Georgia’s NATO path.
In his speech he addressed the Koso-
vo question arguing that Kosovo was “sui
generis because of moral, legal, and his-
toric reasons” and it and the conflicts in
Georgia were “polar opposites.”
“Let me be clear—Georgia has never
been against the resolution of the Kosovo
situation. Our concern lies rather with the
how,” he said. “While the Kosovars were
the victims of brutal ethnic cleansing that
was halted by international military inter-
vention, the separatists in Abkhazia were
the victors of ethnic cleansing. And no one
intervened to save the hundreds of thou-
sands who today remain cleansed from
their homeland due to their ethnicity.”
Saakashvili reminded the internation-
al community that these conflicts require
more serious attention more than ever. He
also outlined Russia’s special stake in the
stability and security of the Caucasus re-
gion. “Let me be clear about our com-
Comprehension Tests
Eleven military servicemen who are
the candidates to be sent to the US Mil-
tional interviewing with the special com-
mission of the Joint Staff. Only after
itary Schools were tested in English lan- these selection procedures they are sent
guage on the 13th of February. The ex- to the US military schools,” said 1 Lt
amination lasted for an hour and includ- Nato Jiadze form J-7 Military Education
ed listening and reading comprehension and Training Department of Joint Staff
test. The results of the exam are evalu- of the Georgian Armed Forces.
ated on a 100 point scoring system, 66 Georgia’s cooperation with United
points of which are in listening and the States in Educational field started in
rest is in comprehension, i.e. lexical and 1995 with the program of IMET (Inter-
grammatical part. national Military Education and Train-
“This is the test in English Language ing) program. After some years three
Comprehension level that is usually re- more programs added - UH-1H (Pilot’s
quired for the Georgian students before Program), Antiterrorist and Captains’
they are sent abroad to the educational Courses. The first three programs are
institutions either in Germany or in the funded by the United States and the
United States. Every U.S. military fourth one is supported by the Georgian
school requires a certain level of En- side.
glish-speaking ability, so we bring them In the framework of bilateral cooper-
here periodically, we test them, find out ation with partner countries, Georgian
their score, and then we know, how Armed Forces have an opportunity to
mitments to work peacefully and con-
many weeks of English language train- send their civilian and military person-
structively with Russia, while also pur-
ings they need to do it in the States, in a nel for various courses abroad. Germa-
suing our NATO path. There is no con-
military school,” declared LTC Robert ny, USA, Turkey, United Kingdom,
tradiction in this,” declared President
E. Hamilton, Chief of Office of Defense France, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and
Saakashvili.
Cooperation in Georgia. Ukraine are among those countries where
Mikheil Saakashvili met with the
“Before sending the students to some students from Georgia can improve their
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop
courses we must carry out the testing knowledge of military matters.
Scheffer. The main topic of this meeting
process. Those who will succeed and get
was the perspective of Georgia’s integra-
good results have to pass special addi- Nino Rusadze
tion into the Euro-Atlantic alliance.
NATO integration issue was the topic of
discussion at the meeting of Mikheil
Saakashvili and US Assistant Secretary
Daniel Fried attended by the Georgian
delegation members and U.S. Senators.
As it became clear after this meeting, US
will adopt a special resolution on its sup-
port for Georgia’s and Ukraine’s integra-
tion into the NATO. As First Deputy
Prime Minister of the Russian Federation,
Sergei Ivanov stated at the press confer-
ence held after the conference that Rus-
sia is not going to interfere in this pro-
cess, as he does not consider it necessary.
Sergei Ivanov thinks that this is the mat-
ter of only NATO and NATO member
countries.
The 44th Munich Conference on Se-
curity Policy was very fruitful and it gave
a new impetus to the global security pol-
icy. Next year Munich will again host the
high-ranking heads of state, foreign and
defence ministers and diplomats who will
discuss new challenges and key security
political issues.
Thea Chonishvili

Photo Contest “My Soldier” Reserve Retraining Started

The National Guard Department of Georgia started Reserve retraining process.
According to reserve training program, those reservists who underwent 18 day training
Public Affairs Department of the Min- will be retrained during 2008. 101, 103, 105 and 503 Reserve Battalions will pass
istry of Defence of Georgia announces fire, tactical and engineering exercises in the framework of 8 – day retraining pro-
annual Photo Contest “My Soldier” gram. New additional elements will be added to each discipline and besides the skill
aimed at popularization of the Georgian acquired last year reservists will learn ambush, reaction to ambush, convoying, guard-
ing facilities etc. Preparation of 25000 new reservists and retraining of already pre-
Armed Forces. Interested professional pared battalions are scheduled according to 2008 year program.
and amateur photographers are invited
to participate in the contest.
Photo Contest “My Soldier” will be
held in the following nominations: The
Best Portrait, The Best Composition,
The Most Dynamic Shot and The Best
Photo Coverage. The winners in each
nomination will be awarded cash priz-
es. The best photographer selected by the
jury will receive the special prize “My
Soldier”.
Photographers interested in taking
part in the photo contest can submit their
entries in electronic and A4-size format,
no less than 10 photos, from March 1st
to March 31st at the following address:
#20, Gen. Kvinitadze St., Ministry of
Defence of Georgia; To Public Affairs
Department, for Photo Contest “My Sol-
dier”.
4 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 2008 ISSUE #8

The Peacekeeping English

Project in Georgia
The Peacekeeping English Project
was set up in Georgia in 1999 in Tbilisi,
and in 2002 the project opened a new
centre in Poti, at the Headquarters of the
Naval Defence Forces. The main aim of
the project in Georgia is to increase the
Georgian Armed Forces’ ability to de-
ploy personnel abroad on international
Peace Support Operations. The Peace-
keeping English Project contributes sig-
nificantly to the British government’s
International Strategic Priority of “pre-
Level 2. As of 1 December 2007, PEP
Georgia has a new project manager, Mr.
Phil Brabbs, whom we have inter-
viewed. “Our mission in Georgia is to
help Georgia contribute to Internation-
al Peace Support Operations, by im-
proving the level of English of the per-
sonnel it sends on these operations” –
said Mr. Brabbs about PEP’s mission.
“Rather than sending out British peo-
ple to teach English in Georgia, we are
trying to create a sustainable local
their course. SACs permit more individu-
alized training and encourage students to
become more independent learners.
The SACs are open to all members
of the Georgian Armed Forces, not only
to PEP students.
“Basically we are at the final stage
of the project. UK funding will most
likely come to an end some time dur-
ing the next few years. My main task
is to hand over the project to the Geor-
gian Armed Forces, so that what’s been

Graduation Ceremony of Captain

venting and resolving conflict through
a strong international system.”
PEP is funded by the UK government
Career Courses and managed by the British Council on
its behalf. The funding comes from the
structure so that after the end of the
project the training will continue. That
is the main focus of this project.” As
Mr. Brabbs noted, in the framework of
this project over 1200 personnel have
achieved, the expertise and the prod-
ucts that have been developed in terms
of STANAG tests and materials etc,
everything will be handed over in a way
which will sustain those achievements

The officers of National Defence Academy have completed Captain Career Cours-
es. A solemn graduation ceremony was held on the territory of the Ministry of De-
fence.
The event was attended by Deputy Defence Minister Mamuka Mujiri and the
Chief of Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Col. Zaza Gogava.
The Chief of Joint Staff congratulated the officers: “The officers demonstrate the
high level of training which meets NATO requirements. This is the first time when
military servants and officers of the Ministry of Interior were trained together.”
The training course started on October 8 and lasted 18 weeks. During four months
officers received theoretical and practical exercises, as well as artillery preparation,
engineering and logistic trainings.
The event was attended by the leadership of the Defence Ministry and Joint Staff
as well. Captain Career Course graduates were granted diplomas. The ceremony
was followed by a solemn reception. Captains have already started service in their
army units.

Consultations Regarding Armed

Forces Logistical Provisions
The delegation of the Logistics Experts Group of the Defence Ministry of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland paid an official visit to Geor-
gia. Four-member delegation was headed by the Head of Logistic Planning Depart-
ment of the UK Defence Ministry, BG Downs.
British side suggested a new project for the provision of logistical support to the
Armed Forces.
The UK delegation met with the leadership of the Defence Ministry of Georgia Foreign and Commonwealth Office been trained and/or tested. This train- and expertise” said Mr. Brabbs. He also
and the Joint Staff. Sides discussed issues concerning logistical provisions for the (FCO), the Ministry of Defence (MOD) ing has been carried out in both Tbilisi mentioned that at this moment PEP em-
Armed Forces during peacekeeping operations. Georgian side made presentation as and the Department for International and Poti and since 2005 PEP has been ploys the staff, and owns the project
well. Development (DFID) as well as the gov- administering STANAG 6001 English equipment and resources. The Georgian
In the framework of the visit the UK delegation visited Vaziani Military Base, ernments of partner states and other or- Language tests which are international- Armed Forces already contribute finan-
Marneuli and Alekseevka Military Airdromes. The delegation of the UK Ministry of ganizations including UNDP and ly recognised. cially to the Project but everything will
Defence left Georgia on February 15. NATO. The Peacekeeping English Today the project runs 9-month inten- be handed over. In the future, the staff
Project has worked with over 30 coun- sive English courses in Tbilisi and Poti will no longer be employed by the UK

Staff Changes tries. It now operates globally to include

partner countries in Europe, Asia, Afri-
ca and Central America.
According to the Order #111 of the President of Georgia issued on Febru- PEP (Peacekeeping English Project)
ary 18 of 2008, Captain Besik Shengelia has been appointed as the Command- Georgia trains deployable personnel
er of Georgian Navy. During the last period Captain Shengelia served as a from the Georgian Armed Forces, en-
Squadron Commander of Navy. Captain Shengelia has been serving in the suring they have an appropriate level of
Armed Forces of Georgia since November 17, 1992. Before his appointment, English to carry out their duties – in
the acting Commander of the Georgian Navy was Colonel Koba Gurtskaia. practice, this is mostly STANAG 6001
each year, and in addition runs short in-
tensive courses such as the 80 hour pre-
departure course for Liaison Officers
which has been run every year for the last
4 years. PEP has a SAC (Self Access Cen-
tre) in each of its two centres. Self-access
study is a key element in all PEP English
courses and all PEP students are required
to study in the SAC as an integral part of
side but will be employed directly by
the Georgian MOD, and all equipment,
property, etc will became the property
of the Georgian Armed Forces. When
UK funding finally comes to an end,
PEP will be fully integrated into the
Georgian Armed Forces.
David Jokhadze

Trainings with Modernized Tanks

The training for the first Tank Com-
pany of the Tank Battalion started on
Vaziani military training ground on Feb-
ruary 13th ..
One company of T -72 SIM-1 tank
participates in the exercise led by Ma-
jor Leri Gelkhauri. The major impor-
tance of the exercise is that the person-
nel of the Tank Company receive spe-
cialized training in modernized tanks.
Command and control system is in-
stalled in the modernized tanks. The sys-
tem is equipped with a computerized
technology that enables the command-
er and the crew to control and survey
the battlefield.
A special navigation system GPS is
installed on the vehicle in order to pro-
vide additional information to the sub-
ordinated crews in the fastest way with
the help of Short Message Service
(SMS). The navigation system works in
any meteorological conditions which
makes it different from other GPS sys-
tems. Georgia is the first country in the
Post-Soviet space which has the T -72
SIM-1 tank that gives an unconditional
advantage to our country in the region.
For the gunner a special thermal de-
vice has been also installed that can fix
and identify any object at a long distance
and gives possibility to open fire and
destroy the target. (With the old modifi-
cations this could be achieved only in
good weather conditions).
T -72 SIM-1 tank has the program
“Mine-Others’”, in case the target
marker is directed towards the owner’s
unit the tank warns the crew about the
potential mistake with the voice alarm.
It can open unexpected fire at approxi-
mately 1400 m without measuring the
distance that can spare the precious
minutes that are decisive at the battle-
field.
Thermal device enables the driver to
control the road during day and night in
adverse weather conditions at several
times longer distances compared to the
previous modifications.
As to the communication system, the
old R173 has been changed by digital
tactical radio system FALCON pro-
duced by HARRIS Corporation. It has
the jumping frequency that decreases the
frequency decoding possibility and pos-
sesses the encrypted communication
system.
The radio station has possibility to
communicate within a radius of 20 km
and works on UHV frequencies. SMS
communication is also available.
According to the exercise command-
er, Maj. Leri Gelkhauri, the training aims
to retrain the tank crews due to new stan-
dards and instruct the squad and platoon
personnel how to use the modernized
tanks during the battle in day and night,
adverse meteorological conditions and
in any relief. We train the tank compa-
ny servicemen (from all levels of com-
mand – tank, section, platoon and com-
pany) to receive, process, implement and
control any task that is a prerequisite for
victory.
As for the personnel, the command-
er is satisfied with the level of prepared-
ness. He says that the innovation gave
more impetus and motivation to the tank
crews who had to work with the old
technique. The tank training ended on
February 25.
Malkhaz Topuria