Objections in Parliament Delay Ratification of US-Georgian Military Accord

(Tbilisi. March 21, 2003. Civil Georgia) – The Parliamentary special session was to hold voting on ratification of the US-Georgian Agreement on Defense Cooperation today.

Parliamentary factions the Industrialists, Socialists, as well as the factions backed by the Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze XXI Century, Revival and United Georgia are against to ratify an agreement, thus the voting is delayed for late today.

The agreement allows the US to occupy mutually agreed territories and buildings in Georgia for use by the US administration?s civilian and military personnel, transport vehicles, vessels and aircraft.

According to the agreement the US military and civilian personnel will also be able to enter and leave the country without visas and passports, using only their ID cards.

They will also enjoy privileges and immunities, similar to those of the administrative and technical staff of the embassy. According to the agreement, the military and civilian personnel will have the right to possess and carry arms on the Georgian territory.

These simplified entry requirements and immunities triggered the basic objections of part of the MPs, saying the agreement ?discriminates Georgia sovereignty.?
 
The supporters of the agreement warn that in case of failure to ratify the agreement signed last December might jeopardize the ongoing U.S.-funded Georgia Train-and-Equip program for the Georgian armed forces.

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