Georgia’s Defence Minister visits troops in Afghanistan

Georgian troops serving in Afghanistan welcomed a friendly visitor to their temporary home this week.

Georgia’s Minister of Defence Irakli Alasania visited Georgia’s 755 troops at Camp Phoenix in Kabul and met top mission leaders and discussed Georgia’s contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)mission.

While addressing the Georgian contingent yesterday, Alasania thanked them for their "great service” and also paid tribute to the Georgian soldiers who lost their lives in the August 2008 war with Russia.

Today, Georgia marked the sixth anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war where Georgia fought for five days to preserve its territory and more than 300 Georgian’s were killed.

"Six years ago an aggressor attacked our country and tried to force us to get on our knees,” Alasania said.

"Georgia has been fighting for its freedom and independence for centuries; often our territories were temporarily lost but the main thing that aggressor has always been failing to deprive us of, is the firm combat spirit that you carry,” Alasania said to the soldiers.

"We lost 169 soldiers six years ago but they failed to deprive us of our sense of dignity,” Alasania said.

There are currently 755 Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan serving in the ISAF mission – down from its peak of about 1,600 troops.

After his speech Alasania met US Army Colonel Randall Simmons at Camp Phoenix. Colonel Simmons is the chief of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the State of Georgia National Guard and is commander of the Georgian unit stationed at Camp Phoenix.

In their discussion, Colonel Simmons highlighted the high level of preparedness of Georgian soldiers.

"We discussed the partnership and ways to strengthen the partnership that will be mutually beneficial for both sides. I have had the opportunity to meet many of our coalition partners and I can tell you that none of them are better than the Georgian soldiers,” Colonel Simmons said.

"They are very proud, very disciplined and they always do a great job and it is an honour to serve with them", the American said.

Within the framework of the Minister’s official visit to Afghanistan, Alasania also met Commander of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General Joseph Dunford. During their meeting, the pair discussed details of security during the recent Presidential Elections in Afghanistan and the role Georgian troops had in this process.

Georgia's engagement in post-ISAF mission was also discussed at the meeting.

Minister Alasania is on official duties in Afghanistan for three days. His upcoming schedule will see him visit Kandahar and meet the Georgian soldiers who are members of a Special Mountain Battalion stationed on Kandahar airfield. About 50 Georgian soldiers are involved in this specialised team.

Last month Georgian troops ended their four-year deployment in Afghanistan’s southern province of Helmand.

To date 29 Georgian soldiers have been killed in the ISAF mission – all in the Helmand province. In addition, 435 Georgian soldiers have been wounded in action; 35 of who were amputees, said ISAF.