MoD: Chickenpox Thwarts Georgian Unit’s Participation in NATO’s Anakonda-16 Drills

Two cases of varicella virus, commonly referred to as chickenpox, in a Georgian army company made it impossible to send the unit to Poland to participate in the Anakonda-2016 large scale military exercises, the Georgian Ministry of Defense said on June 10.

More than 31,000 troops from two dozen of NATO and partner nations are participating in the Anakonda-2016 exercises in Poland on June 7-17, which have been described as one of the largest drills on NATO’s eastern flank since the end of the Cold War.

After it was reported that Poland asked for Georgia’s explanation why it has not sent its unit for the participation, the Georgian MoD said in a statement on June 10 that the 3rd light infantry company of 4th mechanized brigade’s 12th battalion was planning to take part in the drills.

“But two cases of varicella virus had been detected in the company just few days before its scheduled departure,” the Georgian MoD said.

“We were looking forward to participation in these exercises, but unpleasant situation emerged… two-three days before the departure,” Chief of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Vakhtang Kapanadze, said, adding that he plans to visit Poland to “observe” the exercises.

A senior lawmaker from the ruling GDDG party, Irakli Sesiashvili, has denied speculation that Tbilisi refrained from sending troops to Poland because of Russia.

MP Sesiashvili, who chairs parliamentary committee for defense and security, said that the virus was revealed shortly before the unit’s departure making it impossible to replace the company with a new one to send to Poland.

Georgian president’s office said on June 10 that Georgia’s participation in the Anakonda-2016 exercises was “extremely important.”

“The President believes that these are important drills not only from the military point of view, but also politically,” President’s spokesperson, Eka Mishveladze said.

“The Commander-in-Chief [President Giorgi Margvelashvili] will definitely demand detailed explanations on this issue from the Defense Minister and army chief of staff at the next session of the National Security Council,” she added.

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