Georgian Troops in Iraq to Serve in UN Mission Protection Forces

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on September 21 that Georgia will send ?fresh troops to Iraq to serve in the special protection force for the UN Mission in Iraq.?

However, Mikheil Saakashvili, who was speaking at the UN General Assembly Session, did not specify in his speech how many soldiers will be sent to Iraq or when. But, Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze did say, after his visit to Iraq on September 7, that Georgia will increase its number of its troops stationed in Iraq as a part of the coalition forces from 159 at present to 300 in October.

Mikheil Saakashvili reiterated that Georgia is ?a member of the global coalition that seeks to eliminate the threat of terrorism; Georgia has and Georgia will continue to make contributions wherever possible…and wherever necessary.?

Currently, 50 soldiers and officers from the 16th Mountain Battalion are stationed in Afghanistan in conjunction with German forces, after undergoing military training in Germany. Georgian peacekeepers are also serving in Kosovo.