Saakashvili Urges U.S. to Increase Aid

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who pays working visit to the United States, told reporters in Washington that he would urge the U.S. Congress “to increase financial assistance for Georgia up to $200 million.”

During his visit to Georgia in January U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said in 2004 fiscal year “we expect to provide $166 million worth of assistance from the United States government” for Georgia.

Mikheil Saakashvili said that Georgia “needs increased financial aid today like never before.”

He said that in case of increase of financial assistance the funds would be allocated to the defense and security structures of Georgia.