U.S. launches new program of military assistance to Georgia - Saakashvili
TBILISI. July 5 (Interfax) - The United States is launching "a historic and crucial" program of assistance, equipment and training of the Georgian Armed Forces, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashavili said as he introduced new Defense Minister Dimitri Shashkin to generals.
He said U.S. instructors had already been training Georgian servicemen at the military academy. Several dozens of Georgian servicemen are studying in the U.S. and the same number will go there later on. Hundreds of Georgian officers will be trained in other countries. The United States will equip Georgian helicopters and create air-, land- and sea-based defense networks. That is very important, and the creation of the national defense ministry is important, too, Saakashvili said.
In his words, Georgia is developing the Army without unnecessary publicity.