(Tbilisi. March 3, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Tedo Japaridze said on March 2 that the Agreement between US and Georgia on Defense Cooperation would be a legal base for supporting US forces that may be presented in the territory of Georgia and for promoting implementation of Train-and-Equip Program.
On February 27 Georgian Parliament failed to ratify the agreement. The part of the MPs said the document would discriminate Georgia’s sovereignty.
According to the agreement the US military personnel may enter Georgia without visas and passports. They may also “posses and carry arms in Georgia, as required by the performance of their duties or authorized by their orders”.
“The MPs are insufficiently informed. The US signed this kind of agreement with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and other states as well,” Tedo Japaridze said.
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