Major Maneuvers Near Pankisi
On August 25 the Defense Ministry started large-scale military exercises “Kakheti 2002”. The exercises run in parallel with the anti-criminal operations in Pankisi, started by the Interior Ministry on August 23. Nowadays there is an unprecedented concentration of the Georgian armed units in Akhmeta district.
“Kakheti 2002” exercises were officially opened by the Defense Minister David Tevzadze. Up to 1500 officers and soldiers will participate in the event. Coordination of the joint actions of various units and battalions will be conducted. Commander of the Land Forces Major-general Koba Kobaladze and Colonel Imedadze would command the excercises.
According to the MOD plan, the military units will mainly conduct humanitarian and anti-terrorist drills.
Several days ago Defense Minister David Tevzadze stated that the exercises are not connected with the anti-criminal operation in Pankisi, but while commenting importance of the exercises, he mentioned that “[presence of the military units] creates favorable background for the anti-criminal operation”.
It is clear that one of the main objectives of the exercises is force demonstration to back up the anti-criminal operation in the gorge. Hence the Defense Ministry revealed neither exact duration nor the budget for the exercises “Kakheti 2002”. As the Minister said the “troops will remain [fielded] as long as it will be necessary.”
“Those forces, which resist to our law enforcers, should know that the army is there and will provide assistance if necessary” – openly stated Gia Baramidze, MP, while commenting real objectives of the exercises.
The recent bombing of the Georgian territory by Russian warplanes made the Parliament to discuss a plan of modernization and preparation of the anti-air defense system, elaborated by the Defense Ministry. The militaries estimate that 24 million GEL will be needed to purchase vital equipment.
On journalists’ question whether there is a guarantee that Georgian territory will not be bombed again, Defense Minister David Tevzadze replied that “I can not give any guarantees, furthermore, I believe that we should expect repeated bombings”.
MP Gia Baramidze says that ‘regretfully’ the present Constitution requires that all the changes in the budget shall be agreed with the President. “It is regretful, because for the last years the President has been unsuccessfully urging allocation of the necessary funds to ensure security of the state”.
Chairman of the National Security Council Tedo Japaridze also agrees with Baramidze’s opinion. But neither of them can say which part of the budget should be cut down to allocate funds for these objectives.
While the politicians argue about budgetary changes, the Georgian airspace remains unprotected and the people of Georgia will have to count only on reactions of the international community.
By Ravaz Bakhtadze, Civil Georgia
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