DECEMBER 2008 ISSUE #18

Georgian Artillery National Guards’

th
Continues Training 18 Anniversary
On December 20th, the Geor-
gian National Guard celebrated
its 18th anniversary. A solemn
ceremony to mark this day was
held at the shooting range of the
Mukhrovani Military Base on
December 20th. The Chief of the
Joint Staff of the Georgian
Armed Forces, Col. Vladimer
Chachibaia and his Deputy Brig-
adier General, Davit Nairashvili
attended the ceremony.
The ceremony was hosted by
the Commander of Georgian Na-
tional Guard, Col. Shmagi Telia.
The other leadership of the
Joint Staff of GAF congratulat-
ed Georgian guardsmen with the
National Guards’ 18th anniversa-
ry as well.
“There was a time when I was
part of the Georgian guardsmen,
a long time ago as well, when
this promising and strong part of
the Armed Forces was still get-
ting its shape and form. So it is
very important for me to be here
today. The positive and negative
sides of National Guard today
are very close and well known
to me. We plan to make changes
and renew the system to get more
effective and flexible one for fu-
ture. I want to congratulate all
the Georgian guardsmen and
wish them success in their carri-
er and personal life,” said Col.
Vladimer Chachibaia in the end
of the day.
As the part of the ceremony,
a demonstrative fire exercise was
carried out for guests by guards-
men at Mukhrovani shooting
range. The exercise aimed to
bring disorientation, halting and
annihilation to the enemy. The
leadership of the Georgian
Armed Forces evaluated posi-
tively upshots of today’s per-
formed mission.
By the end of the solemn cer-
emony, 34 military servicemen
of the National Guard of Geor-
gia were rewarded medals (I, II,
III ranks) for meritorious service
at the Georgian Defence System
and five Georgian guardsmen
were granted with General Kvin-
itadze awards as well.
Mindia Arabuli

Since August 2008 there is no
doubt that Georgian Artillery
units are a very powerful strong-
hold for Georgian Armed Forc-
es. They showed their profes-
sionalism and dedication in Au-
gust war. Many Georgian sol-
diers were saved by Artillery
cover shelling. Long distance
accurate firing stopped a large
number of aggressors right after
they entered Georgian territory.
Many civilians were driven out
from the red zone under the cor-
rect target execution from artil-
lerists at the enemy positions
around the villages in region.
Georgian Artillery became a real
nightmare and scary surprise for
the Russian military during the
August days.
“SI VIC PACEM, PARA
BELLUM” - this wise phrase is
tightly followed by Georgian
Armed Forces. December 18th,
after two weeks of intensive
training, demonstrative fire ex-
ercises were carried out by artil-
lerists of the Georgian Armed
Forces at the Orpholo Firing
Range.
Fire exercises conducted un-
der the final stage of the training
was attended by Defence Minis-
ter Vasil Sikharulidze and the
Chief of Staff of GAF, Col.
Vladimer Chachibaia. The lead-
ership of MOD was represented
by the Deputy Defence Minister,
Bacho Akhalaia as well.
Together with the high rank-
ing representatives of MOD and
JS, training was attended by for-
eign military attaches accredit-
ed to Georgia.
Since Mr. Sikharulidze be-
came the new Minister of De-
fence, it was his first visit to the
shooting range, and he compli-
mented the exercises: “It is im-
portant to run these kind of ex-
ercises. These guys numerous
times proved their effectiveness.
It is also very important to see
how Artillery units can coordi-
nate with other units during their
operations. One of the priorities
in exercises for next year will be
the combined trainings of the
members of different types of
units from the Georgian Armed
Forces.”
In the frame of two-week ex-
ercises, the Artillery Division of
the First Infantry Brigade did its
best to increase qualification.
Combined subunits of the Fourth
and Fifth Infantry Brigades have
utilized anti-armored equipment
during the tactical artillery firing.
“Our most important mission
is to keep State Security, so any
kind of exercise is very important.
Next year’s training program will
give us better results for coordi-
nated execution of missions,” said
Col. Chachibaia.
Tactical firings were evaluat-
ed positively from Georgian as
well as the foreign visitors’ side.
Mindia Arabuli

INSIDE
Interview With Defence Minister met
Lithuanian MOND with NATO/PfP
Liaison Officer
Undersecretary
Communication
Andrius Krivas Trainings in Saguramo
Independent
International Fact- Intelligence Officers
Finding Mission on the Complete Basic
Conflict in Georgia at Mountain Training
the Defence Ministry Course
2 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
Interview With Lithuanian MOND
Undersecretary Andrius Krivas
Representatives of the Public Affairs
Department of the Georgian Ministry of
Defence visited the Lithuanian MoD in
Vilnius on the 24th of November. The
mission of this visit was to share infor-
mation and experience in the Public Af-
fairs sphere between Georgian and
Lithuanian MoDs. During this visit, we
managed to meet the Lithuanian MoD’s
undersecretary, Mr. Andrius Krivas, and
held a short interview related to Geor-
gian and Lithuanian relations and per-
spectives of Georgia’s path to NATO.
Mr Krivas has been working in the
Lithuanian Ministry of National De-
fence since 1993. In August of 2008 he
was appointed as Acting Undersecretary
for Defense Policy and International
Relations at the Lithuanian MOND.
Mr. Krivas, as it is already known,
Georgia has clearly determined aspi-
rations toward Euro-Atlantic integra-
tion on this difficult way it’s very im-
portant for us to cooperate with
NATO member states and deepen our
bilateral relations with our Europe-
an partners, especially with eastern
European countries with whom we
have special relations and who share
historical similarities with Georgia. In
this context, how can you see our fur-
ther relations and particularly what
can Lithuania do in order to assist and
support Georgia in its attempt to be-
come the member NATO?
Georgia has always been an impor-
tant priority in terms of our outreach to
those countries who embarked on the
pass of building up a democratic sys-
tem, a society based on a free market
economy respecting the individual free-
dom and they stand willing to became a
part of Euro-Atlantic processes includ-
ing prospect of the NATO membership
and a membership in the European
Union. Since Georgia has firmly ex-
pressed its interest in pursuing all those
objectives, we are happy to share our
own experience because we have just
gone this very way, and we are more
than willing to assist you.
Georgia and Lithuania are closely
cooperating in the military sphere,
what does this cooperation entail?
We have been working in that direc-
tion for the number of years, we have
Independent International Fact-Finding Mission
on the Conflict in Georgia at the Defence Ministry
been cooperating with Georgia, espe-
cially in terms of officers training. We
have assisted Georgia in having offic-
ers trained at some of the courses taught
at the Lithuanian National Military
Academy, but also at some courses at
the Baltic Defence College, which is
located in Tatru, Estonia. But it is a joint
undertaking of three Baltic States,
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. In the past
we have also been participants in big-
ger international endeavors to help
Georgia to build up its Armed forces as
an inherent institution of the democrat-
ic society and state. We participated no-
tably in the GTEP Georgian Train and
Equip Program a few years ago, which
was run by the United States.
As it is known, the August conflict
with Russia has changed quite a lot
in Georgian policy almost in every
sphere. Will this circumstances im-
pact on Georgian – Lithuanian rela-
tions?
The tragic and dramatic events of
early August this year and their after-
math have not changed our determina-
tion, in fact it has reinforced determina-
tion to continue assisting Georgia on this
basis, and in fact as a way of reacting to
The enquiry mission into the caus-
es of the Russia-Georgia conflict have
paid a visit to Georgia, with the mem-
bers of the mission visiting the Minis-
try of Defence today. The three-person
delegation was presented by the Head
of Mission, Heidi Tagliavini, Swiss
former U.N. special representative to
Georgia and her deputies Ambassador
Uwe Schramm and Dr. Marian Stasze-
wski.
Guests were received by the De-
fence Minister of Georgia, Davit
Sikharulidze. The meeting was attend-
ed by Deputy Defence Minister Giorgi
Muchaidze and Head of Analytical
Department Davit Nardaia.
The main subject of the discussion
was current developments in the con-
flict zones. Davit Sikharulidze ex-
pressed readiness for close cooperation
with the Independent International
Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict
in Georgia (IIFFMCG).
In the framework of the visit,
IIFFMCG delegation members held
meetings with the Georgian ministers
of interior affairs and foreign affairs.
DECEMBER 2008 ISSUE #18
what happened in Georgia our mutual
cooperation has entered new areas, such
as post-conflict rehabilitation of the
Georgian Military, one of the few areas
in which Georgia requested assistance
shortly after the conflict, and we have
already hosted two groups of Georgian
soldiers at our Military Medical Facili-
ty in Druskininkai for the purposes of
medical rehabilitation, after the injuries
they suffered during the conflict.
We have also heard the Georgian re-
quest for assistance by NATO in the field
of demining, getting rid of unexploded
mines and other munitions left on the
territory of Georgia after the conflict.
And in this sense we have been work-
ing within NATO towards expanding the
functions of the already existing NATO
Trust Fund for dismantling rockets and
missiles.
We have co-financed a feasibility
study within NATO on how all this can
be done and now the NAMSA is look-
ing into those possibilities. Of course
during the conflict we have extended
every possible political support to Geor-
gia, in face of the aggression that was
taking place, at that moment and ever
since, we have been very clearly sup-
portive of the territorial integrity and
sovereignty of Georgia and we have
condemned the excessive use of mili-
tary force by the Russian federation and
it’s occupation of parts of Georgia.
As you know, Georgia strives to be-
come a member of NATO. What per-
spectives do you see on this path and
what recommendations can you give
to our country in this regard?
The situation we are in now, also in
the context of defence cooperation, is
naturally different from the pre-conflict
stage. We have been confirmed in our
conviction that the next logical step for
NATO in its cooperation in its relations
with Georgia would be to include Geor-
gia in the Membership Action Plan. The
issue here is that MAP does not equal
Membership, it is only a tool to prepare
for membership. And we know from our
very own experience that this tool is very
effective, it is very comprehensive, it is
much wider than defence cooperation
only, it comprises all spheres of life of
the free democratic nation, political,
Defence Minister met with
NATO/PfP Liaison Officer
Defence Minister Davit Sikharulidze
met with NATO Liaison Officer Zbig-
niew Rybacki in the South Caucasus
region.
The Defence Minister, with the rep-
resentative of the North-Atlantic Alli-
ance, discussed NATO-Georgian rela-
tions and recent developments in the
defence sphere. The Annual National
Program granted to Georgia and Ukraine
in Brussels in December current year
was subject of the talks as well. The De-
economic, legal, it also contains a chap-
ter on public relations or how to explain
the public policy of the state to the pub-
lic and many other important aspects.
MAP was very useful for Lithuania
when we were preparing for member-
ship, and we think that it is the right in-
strument for NATO to use to help Geor-
gia prepare to meet the very important
and demanding criteria of membership
in all spheres. When Lithuania was pre-
paring for NATO membership, map was
the only instrument for our disposal and
there was no other way to prepare for
membership. Today when we look at the
broad relationship between Georgia and
NATO we have a wide variety of instru-
ments, you have and ID Intensified Di-
alogue, you have the IPAP, you have the
most recently established NATO-Geor-
gia Commission NGC. Within all those
cooperation frameworks the process is
a two way street. NATO is listening to
Georgia and Georgia has a chance to
present its progress, its ideas, its plans
for the future. NATO provides feedback,
what is good in terms of Georgia’s
achievements and where the remaining
problem areas exist and it is exactly
through the identification of those prob-
lem areas that we can best see where we
can come with our advice and, if need-
ed, assistance.
What can you say about the future
plans of cooperation between our
countries?
I would say that the future of the de-
fence and security-related cooperation
between Lithuania and Georgia is bright,
we are going to continue to work in di-
rections that we have been working so
far, and we are going to enhance this
cooperation and we are clearly project-
ing it not as a merely bilateral relation-
ship but as a part of a large regional ef-
fort. And a NATO-wide effort to help
Georgia build up a peaceful, modern,
well developed prosperous democratic
society, and effective defence force and
to become a NATO member in line with
the commitments that the NATO heads
of state and government already under-
took at their meeting in Bucharest, when
they sad that Ukraine and Georgia would
become members of NATO.
David Jokhadze
fence Minister and the NATO Liaison
Officer discussed military education de-
velopment and personnel management
improvement issues.
Towards the end of the meeting, the
Georgian Defence Minister expressed
his gratitude for work performed by the
NATO Liaison Officer.
Zbigniew Rybacki was appointed as
NATO/PfP Liaison Officer in Septem-
ber 2007 and his residence is located in
Tbilisi.
DECEMBER 2008 ISSUE #18 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
3

Communication Trainings in Saguramo

Communication training has drawn
to a close at the Centre of New Tech-
nology of Signal Battalion in Saguramo.
Participants of the training sessions in-
clude military servicemen of different
units of the Georgian Armed Forces.
The New Technology Centre of Sig-
nal Battalion of Saguramo was estab-
lished with the support of the Ministry
of Defence of Georgia and US interna-
tional communications and information
technology company Harris in 2007.
Over 40 days, instructors from the cen-
tre took part in training sessions at the
base of the Harris Corporation in the
USA.
Training was simultaneously con-
ducted in 5 groups, which contained 12
students. Over 5 weeks, students ob-
tained useful skills for communication.
Captain Kurckhalia said that trainings
include both a theoretical and practical
segment.
“Generally we prepare radiomen and
operators. At present, the centre is guid-
ed by radio station Harris. We use high-
frequency and ultra high-frequency sys-
tems. Programming of the radio station
by radioman goes by hand in ALE and
FIXED regimes. Students also study
GPS data’s,” said Captain Guram Phil-
ia, Head of New Technology Instilla-
tions Department.
The course of operators teaches com-
puter programming. Besides FIXED and
ALE regimes, operators develop 3G,
3G+ and HOP regimes in the area of
computer programming.
During the training sessions, much
attention is paid to improvement of
data transmission from one station to
another.
“Students intensively study HAB
technology. It’s available to connect 4
radio stations to this technology. It
gives us the opportunity to rapidly
transmit data from ultra high-frequen-
cy radio stations to high-frequency ra-
dio stations. Also, it’s possible to send
phone calls to any direction,” declared
captain Philia.
“It’s the fifth week that we are here.
Our communicational system will be-
came more effective by mastering this
technique. We are receiving detailed
knowledge about manual and computer
programming. Also, we study data trans-
mission by computer,” said Tedo
Bodokia, student of the Military College
of Georgia. “The function of radio man accom- weeks,” declared Vice-Colonel Igor Ar- week. At the end of the training, students
Trainings were also attended by sep- plish senior of tank. Tank men are mas- tamonov, deputy chief of the military should pass a final test, which contains
arate armored battalions of the Georgian tering new technology of Harris. Instal- unit. 100 answers, and if they pass it success-
land forces. Seniors of tanks pass spe- lation of this technique is in the process During the five weeks of training, fully, they’ll receive certificates.
cial course of communication. now. This course will continue for 3 students have tests at the end of every Irakli Gurgenidze

Intelligence Officers
Complete Basic Mountain
Training Course
20 students of the Intelligence Offic-
er’s Course at the National Defence
Academy passed their examination in
the basics of mountain training. The
training, which started on the 8th of De-
cember, lasted for two weeks. In the
framework of the course, students stud-
ied techniques of relocation, and climb-
ing up and climbing down from rocks.
During the final test, the officers suc-
cessfully completed a 4 kilometer length
quick march. During their conversation
with us, Captain Lasha Modebadze, the
Chief of Sachkhere Mountain Training
School educational division, said that
this course was completed without any
difficulties and problems. “Such physi-
cal overloads for students were used for
the first time, but in spite of this the stu-
dents have done everything well.” Cap.
Modebadze also told us that the course
was conducted by Georgian instructors.
Before the quick march, we were able
to interview one of the students, who
said “it’s very important to train Geor-
gian soldiers in Mountain Courses, be-
cause during the August events there
were several problems which were too
difficult to solve.” We also interviewed
the 1 st SGT of Mountain Training
School, Giorgi Dzindzibadze. During
the interview he explained to us that this
course was very important, because dur-
ing the course, students studied how to
overcome obstacles that are prominent
in the Georgian landscape.
He told us that during this training,
student officers studied how to force the
river, create and use alpinist knots, re-
locate in alpine zone, among other ac-
tivities.
“After this course, soldiers have to
overcome any difficulties which they
could meet,” said 1st SGT Dzindzinbadze.
He also mentioned that it’s very impor-
tant for a soldier to be physically well
trained, saying “This training needs sol-
diers to be very strong and to be hardy.”
He added that because of climate condi-
tions, this course was a little bit reduced.
It’s planned that from 2009, some of
the subunits will be trained with this
program, which will improve and train
better Georgian soldiers, and all this will
reflect on the level of professionalism
of the GAF.
David Jokhadze

Military Experts at the

Defence Ministry
The first official meeting of Davit
Sikharulidze as the Minister of Defence
of Georgia was held at the Defence Min-
istry.
The leadership of the US Office of
Defence Cooperation (ODC) and the
Advisor Group visited the Ministry of
Defence of Georgia. LTC Paul Riley,
together with Major Matthew Atkins and
the Head of Bilateral Assistance Office,
Lt Col. Arthur Haysman, attended to-
day’s meeting. Visitors included the
Chief Advisors of the US advisor group
in the Defence Field, Brigadier General
Ronald Mangum and his deputies, Col.
Randy Williams and Col. Bill Craven.
The Georgian side was represented
by the First Deputy Defence Minister,
Batu Kutelia, Deputy Defence Minister,
Giorgi Muchaidze and the Head of In-
ternational Relations and Euro-Atlantic
Integration Department, Nino Bakradze.
The ODC head-person has intro-
duced the main trends of the Georgian-
US security cooperation, as defined dur-
ing the defence consultations held in the
USA. LTC Paul Riley submitted coop-
eration trends plan 2009 for consider-
ation to the Defence Minister. Chief
Advisor of the US Defence Advisors
Group, Brigadier General Ronald Man-
gum has discussed already implement-
ed issues and scheduled measures.
Davit Sikharulidze expressed grati-
tude for assistance rendered by the US
side in the defence sphere, and pinned
his hopes on strong support in develop-
ing military education and personnel
management system and military doc-
trine and conceptual papers.
Both sides have agreed that similar
meetings will be arranged regularly.
4 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY DECEMBER 2008 ISSUE #18

Pre - New Year Reception on behalf Competition in Boxing

On December 20, the Ministry of As Major Mirza Paliani said to us,

of the Defence Minister Defence held a competition in boxing

dedicated to the 18th anniversary of the
National Guard. The participants of the
competition included representatives of
different brigades of the Armed Forces,
and the National Guard Department and
Special Forces as well.
This was the first case when such a
competition took place in the Georgian
Armed Forces. The competition was
held according to the usual 7 different
weight categories.
The tournament was organized by
Major Mirza Paliani, a respected train-
er in boxing and the head of the Physi-
cal Educational of Special Training Cen-
ter and the Georgian Boxing Associa-
tion, providing the tournament with the
a boxing ring of international standards,
and sport equipments. The competition
was controlled by the referees of inter-
national categories, led by a veteran
boxer Erasti Eristavi.
the tournament aimed not only to sup-
port healthy movement but also to set
up a boxing team in the Georgian Armed
Forces, which will participate in inter-
national competitions among the teams
of different countries staffed by military
personnel in the future.
“It’s a pity that we have never par-
ticipated in tournaments like this. We
hope this will be corrected in the future.
Furthermore, the competition show-
cased several perspective sportsmen
who are able to participate in interna-
tional competitions with high results”
said Major Paliani.
The tournament was attended by the
Chief of Georgian Armed Forces, Colo-
nel Vladimer Chachibaia, and Head of
National Guard Department Shmagi
Telia. At the end of the competition,
winners were granted valuable presents
and diplomas.
Malkhaz Topuria

The Pre-New Year official reception
was held in the club “TwoSide” on be-
half of the Defence Minister, Davit
Sikharulidze. The event was hosted by
Davit Sikharulidze, celebrating his pro-
motion to the rank of the Defence Min-
ister. The official reception was attend-
ed by representatives of the diplomatic
corps, military attaches, NGOs, journal-
ists and experts.
The Defence Minister of Georgia
expressed the appreciation of the Geor-
gian side to guests for an active collab-
oration. Davit Sikharulidze said, “In
spite of existing problems, Georgia’s
intent to look and aspire to the North-
Atlantic Alliance has not slowed down.”
Readiness for further close coopera-
tion with the diplomatic corps and non-
governmental organizations was ex-
pressed by the Defence Minister. The
importance of resumption and intensi-
fication of collaboration in this case was
stressed as well.
The NATO Liaison Officer in the
South Caucasus region, Zbigniew Ry-
backi, has shared his views with us:
“This is a good opportunity for the dip-
lomatic corps to meet the recently ap-
pointed Defence Minister of Georgia.
The Georgian Armed Forces have made
progress for showing the best correla-
tion with NATO requirements, more
must be done.”
According to the Chief of the Joint
Staff of GAF, Col. Vladimer Chachiba-
ia, “Our reception is attended by diplo-
mats and military attaches from foreign
countries. Such kinds of meetings are
very constructive, because of possibili-
ty to meet each other, communicate and
divide opinions and experiences.”
To hold Pre-New Year reception on
behalf of the Georgian Defence Minis-
ter in honor of the diplomatic corps ac-
credited to Georgia has become a tradi-
tion and this tradition will be continued.
Nino Gogochishvili

Meeting with Representatives of the Civil Sector

One more meeting with the represen-
tatives of the civil sector has been held
at the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.
In the framework of the Memorandum
of Cooperation, signed with the Civil
Council on Defence and Security, such
meetings are held periodically. Repre-
sentatives of NGOs were received by
David Sikharulidze for the first time in
the rank of Defence Minister. The meet-
ing was attended by the Deputy Defence
Ministers, Giorgi Muchaidze and Bacho
Akhalaia, Head of Administration Otar
Berdzenishvili and heads of various de-
partments of the Defence Ministry.
The goal of the meeting was to im-
prove the transparency of the Defence
Sector and civil control of the Armed
Forces. Three main directions of co-
operation were discussed at the meet-
ing, among them cooperation on the
elaboration of a new Strategic Defence
Review, elaboration of PR Strategy
and creation of a special course in civil
educational institutions aiming at de-
velopment of intellectual potential of
the defence sphere.
In the meeting, which lasted for an
hour, half the comments were for the
media. Deputy Defence Minister Gior-
gi Muchaidze talked about the directions
of future cooperation in development of
the “Minister’s Vision 2009.” “A meet-
ing was held with the representatives of
NGOs, military experts and representa-
tives of civil sector. All of them work in
the defence and security field. We have
a special format of cooperation. At the
meeting we discussed the directions of
future cooperation. The Ministry of De-
fence signed the Memorandum of Co-
operation and in its framework we
scheduled intensive meetings for the
next year. As to the concrete topics, in a
fortnight we’ll publish the Minister’s
Vision that will provide the priorities for
the next year. Of course next month
we’ll again meet with the representatives
of NGOs and military experts and dis-
cuss the concrete projects and directions
of cooperation based on the priorities of
the Minister’s Vision.”
Books given to
Military Servicemen
A renovation process of military li- Ecclesiastical writings, unique books
braries has been initiated in the Geor- of the 19th century, and Holy Scripture
gian Armed Forces. were gifted to militaries by the Patriarch-
5000 books were granted to military ate as well.
servicemen as voluntary offerings. Collected books were distributed
Fictional novels and other reading among military units. Libraries located
material was donated by the Georgian at the military units will be decorated
Technical University, the State Universi- with sculptures and graphical works of
ty, Public Library and the Ministry of Cul- art made by students of the Academy of
ture, Monuments Protection and Sport. Arts.
Most of these books have military More then 15 thousand books will be
messages: they carry information relevant given to the Georgian Armed Forces by
to combat staff, military-engineering doc- the Ministry of Culture, Monuments
trine and construction engineering. Protection and Sport next year.
Koba Liklikadze: “Minister of De-
fence of Georgia introduced his vision
of future developments of the Georgian
Armed Forces. We offered our initia-
tives, for instance, from the expert point
of view we can help the Georgian Armed
Forces and its leadership with our rec-
ommendations and share our experi-
ence.”
Nikoloz Chitadze: “The meeting was
very fruitful, where we defined the pri-
orities of cooperation in various direc-
tions, namely in the educational sphere.
The educational course in the defence
and security field must be established
in various civil and military education-
al institutions. We should work togeth-
er and our recommendations should be
considered in such an important military
document as the Strategic Defence Re-
view. Another direction that was related
to joint activities envisages conducting
the seminars and conferences with the
participation of the representatives of the
Defence Ministry and independent ex-
perts.”