Georgia Sends Peacekeepers to Iraq

The US C-17 Globemaster cargo airplane took off from military airfield near Tbilisi on August 3 carrying Georgian platoon-size detachment to Iraqi capital Baghdad.
 
The co!
mbined unit of a 34 person Infantry Platoon from the Kojori Special Forces Battalion, a 20 person Medical Services Detachment including 13 women, and a 15 men Engineer Detachment from the Ministry of Defense’s Rapid Reaction Force will be deployed in Baghdad as a Georgia’s contribution to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

At the departure ceremony at the Alexeevka military air filed on August 3 US Ambassador Richard Miles said that Georgia was one of the first nations to volunteer to assist the United States in the Global War on Terrorism. He said “this is a historic day for Georgia” as Georgian troops “will join this fight against terrorism” in Iraq.

“Dispatching of the detachment in Iraq proves that Georgia is reliable partner and joining of the anti-terrorist coalition was not only the words,” Tevzadze said.

“Georgian Defe!
nse Minister Gen-Lieutenant Davit Tevzadze has communicated w!
ith Gen. John Abizaid to inform that Georgia is ready for this mission,” US Ambassador added.
 
It is not clear yet exactly where the Georgian unit will be deployed in Iraq. “Upon their arrival in Baghdad tonight [on August 3], they will be met by the US Army Infantry Division and immediately begin their mission,” Ambassador Miles said.

According to the Georgian Defense Minister Davit Tevzadze the US officers will instruct Georgian unit about its duties upon arrival in Iraq.

The US side covers transportation, food and other logistic expenses of the Georgian detachment. The Georgian has to cover salaries of the soldiers, doctors and nurses. The salary is from USD 600 up to USD 1500 that makes the Georgian peacekeepers very happy.

“I am a military doctor and I should be ready for everything, including for going in Iraq. But the financial aspect of this mission is very important for me. I would receive USD 600 that is very g!
ood for me,” Nana Kavtaradze told Civil Georgia before she left for Iraq. She hopes that despite budgetary shortfall and anticipated cut of expenditures for the Defense Ministry will not hinder payment of the peacekeepers’ salaries.

“Don’t ask me about the financial issues. Ask about this the Finance Minister,” Davit Tevzadze told the reporters.

This Georgian detachment will remain in Iraq for six months. “In case the both sides [Georgia, United States] agree to continue cooperation in this regard, the rotation process will start and new Georgian detachment will be sent in Iraq in February 2004,” Georgian Defense Minister said.

By Giorgi Sepashvili, Civil Georgia