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U.S. Secretary Of State Backs Strengthened Georgia Defenses

June 05, 2012

by RFE/RL

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met with Georgian officials for talks on bolstering the Caucasus nation's defense capacity.

Clinton took part in a "strategic dialogue" with Georgian officials in the Black Sea port city of Batumi.

She pledged Washington's commitment to helping Georgia modernize its military and upgrade its defense capabilities and inaugurated a Georgian Coast Guard vessel refurbished with U.S. financial assistance.

The United States has already provided Georgia, its long-term ally in the Caucasus, with maritime communications and observation equipment. It now plans to give Tbilisi two refurbished U.S. Coast Guard vessels and is building a ship repair depot to maintain Georgia's growing fleet of patrol boats.

Clinton also reaffirmed U.S. support for Georgia's territorial integrity and called on Russia to pull out from Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"We reject Russia's occupation and militarization of Georgian territory," she said. "And we call on Russia to fulfill its obligations under the 2008 cease-fire agreement including withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions and free access for humanitarian assistance."

Russia recognized the independence of the regions after fighting a brief war with Georgia in 2008, but most of the rest of the world continues to view the regions as part of Georgia.

Clinton used her visit to urge Georgia to hold free and fair elections ahead of October's parliamentary vote and the 2013 presidential poll.

Saakashvili, who was elected after peaceful protests in 2003 dubbed the Rose Revolution, has dominated Georgia's political scene. Critics say he has made it hard for other leaders to emerge.

"You have taken important steps since the Rose Revolution, and your progress has been noted worldwide," Clinton said. "Now it is up to Georgia to consolidate your democratic gains. That is the key to Georgia's future, and it will bring Georgia closer to achieving your Euro-Atlantic aspirations."

Clinton is expected to meet with Saakashvii later on June 5.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/clinton-backs-strengthened-georgia-defenses/24604316.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.