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| Georgian soldiers waiting for departure. |
“They have already been stationed in the capital Baghdad and are expected to be deployed in two other towns – Tikrit and Baiji. However, exact destination of the Georgian troops in Iraq will become known by Tuesday,” Irakli Chikovani, a spokesman for the Georgian Defense Ministry told Civil Georgia on April 10. He also said that Georgian troops have not been involved in any active fighting yet.
Around 55 servicemen, including mine-clearing experts and doctors are expected to join the Georgian unit in May.
The deployment of troops did not spark any public protests in Georgia. Authorities say that they would remain commited to contributing to the coalition forces in Iraq.
“We should be proud. Georgian soldiers are leaving for Iraq when security conditions have deteriorated there. But we have undertaken commitment and we are ready to uphold it ,” Vano Merabishvili, Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council said at a seeing off ceremony at the Alexeevka military airport outside Tbilisi on April 7.
Georgia’s Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili told Vremya Novostei daily on April 9 that sending of the troops is “a sign of solidarity with the US who have helped us [before] when we were in need. It is, if you want, an expression of the Georgian character: it is hard for the Americans in Iraq now, and we have to be there by their side.”
More pragmatically, Zurabishvili added “at this stage of development of its statehood Georgia needs an army that is not only good for the parades. Army needs an experience in hardest situations.”
The unit of 70 Georgian mine-clearing experts and doctors has returned from Iraq in March after six months of deployment in the northern Iraqi town of Tikrit. Four Georgian servicemen were injured last August in a mine clearing operation in Tikrit. One of them underwent medical treatment in the United States.
“Mission that you are embarking will not be easy, but you are well-trained and well-prepared to face what lays ahead of you in Iraq. You are the best-trained and best-equipped Georgian army this nation has seen since independence,” U.S. Ambassador Richard Miles said in his remarks at the Alexeevka air base.
The Georgian servicemen will be guarding the military bases and other facilities of the coalition forces. They will also participate in the mop-up operations, according to the Georgian Defense Ministry. “However, it is not ruled out that there might be some changes in their duties. Everything will become exactly known next week,” Defense Ministry’s spokesman said.
“We are well-trained and are ready for this deployment. The only thing that worries me is that I won’t be able to see my family for next six months,” Corporal Zaur Demetrashvili told Civil Georgia before departure for Iraq.
Many Georgian soldiers admit that relatively high salary boosts their enthusiasm to go to flame-engulfed Iraq.
“Of course money is a good reason for going there. I will receive USD 600 per month in addition to the salary which we already get as GTEP soldiers [USD 200]. I do not think I will have a chance to spend this sum in Iraq, so it is a good chance for making savings,” Corporal Zaur Demetrashvili said.
16th mountain battalion had a troubled history. Immediately after the GTEP graduation the government had to relieve most of its soldiers from active duty as the barracks in West Georgia were not completed by the time of gradiation.
The U.S. side covers transportation, food and other logistical expenses of the Georgian detachment. The Georgian side will cover the salaries of the servicemen ranging from USD 600 to USD 1,500, depending on the rank.
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