Saakashvili Met Powell

In the wake of talks with the U.S. President George W. Bush Georgian President held talks with the U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on February 25.

“In our conversation today, we talked about further areas of cooperation. We talked about how we are both in touch with our Russian friends to let them know that this is not an area or place for competition but a place for cooperation. And I’m pleased that things are coming along so well,” Colin Powell said.

The U.S. Secretary of State thanked Georgian President for the contribution that “Georgian troops are making to our efforts in Iraq.

“And I look forward to more of them participating in that effort,” Powell added.

200 Georgian peacekeepers will join a detachment of 70 mine-clearing experts and doctors who were sent to Iraq last August and were stationed in the town of Tikrit.

Georgia intends to send 500 more soldiers to Iraq by the summer 2004.

Colin Powell also said that the United States is looking forward to the parliamentary elections that will be taking place next month.