Defense Minister Denies GTEP Endangered

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, July 12, 2002) – Georgian Defense Minister stated on July 11 that implementation of the Georgia Train-and-Equip program (GTEP) is not under danger.

Reports said earlier that due to the volunteers’ shortage the program could be canceled. “The program will be implemented as scheduled,” Tevzadze said.

At the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security on July 10 MPs criticized the Defense Ministry for insufficient activity for the GTEP’s implementation. 

The Ministry is preparing for the next phase of the program. During this phase the US military instructor will train four Georgian battalions.

At the moment the part of command and control training is underway, that aims to have well-trained professional staff that maintain the knowledge, have contingency plans and operational control.