U.S. Allocates USD 30 mln for SSOP Army Training Program

The U.S. assistance program for the Georgian troops Sustainment and Stability Operations Program (SSOP) will last for 12 more months and USD 30 million will be spent for this purpose, U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Tefft said on July 17.

He was speaking at the Krtsanisi National Training Center where with the assistance of U.S. instructors, up to 500 military servicemen from the 31st light infantry battalion will undergo a twelve-week training course, according to the Georgian Ministry of Defense.

The U.S. Ambassador stressed to increase the Georgian troops? capabilities in order to serve in multi-national peacekeeping operations is a main purpose of SSOP.

For the fiscal year 2005, the U.S. Government allocated USD 60.5 million for the SSOP.

Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili told reporters on July 17 that it was decided to prolong the program during President Saakashvili recent visit to the United States.

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