Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TBILISI1239
2008-07-17 12:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tbilisi
Cable title:
POLOFF DISCUSSES TROOP LEVEL AND DEFENSE SPENDING
how-toVZCZCXRO9748 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSI #1239 1991228 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 171228Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9770 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS TBILISI 001239
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL PGOV GG
SUBJECT: POLOFF DISCUSSES TROOP LEVEL AND DEFENSE SPENDING
INCREASE WITH MFA
UNCLAS TBILISI 001239
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL PGOV GG
SUBJECT: POLOFF DISCUSSES TROOP LEVEL AND DEFENSE SPENDING
INCREASE WITH MFA
1. (SBU) Summary: Poloff met with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA) Desk Officer for the United States, Irakli
Machitidze, Director of Department of International
Organizations, Alexander Nalbandov and Head of NATO Division,
Tornike Parulava regarding press reports that Georgia is
planning to increase their troop numbers by 5000 while also
increasing their military spending. Parulava told Poloff that
this will not be a sixth brigade, instead, the 5000 troops
will be dispersed amongst the current five brigades and
Parulava emphasized there are no plans to create a sixth
brigade. According to Parulava, the 5000 troops will mainly
support the air force and the Ministry of Defense is
specifically seeking people with technical backgrounds such
as engineers. Nika Rurua, Deputy Chairman for Defense and
Security confirmed to the Ambassador that Georgia will not
create a sixth brigade.
2. (SBU) Parulava informed Poloff that the decision to
increase military spending and troop numbers was made quickly
because Parliament was dispersing for the summer and a
decision was needed immediately. The additional troops will
be used to support domestic troop levels including
peacekeeping operations. In addition, Georgia is currently
reworking their Threat Assessment because it is outdated and
no longer accounts for the imminent Russian threat.
3. (SBU) Parulava informed Poloff on 16 July that Deputy
Defense Minister Muchaidze is currently in Brussels to
discuss Georgia's decision with NATO officials though
Parulava does not anticipate any problems because Georgia is
still under the CFE troop limits.
TEFFT
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL PGOV GG
SUBJECT: POLOFF DISCUSSES TROOP LEVEL AND DEFENSE SPENDING
INCREASE WITH MFA
1. (SBU) Summary: Poloff met with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA) Desk Officer for the United States, Irakli
Machitidze, Director of Department of International
Organizations, Alexander Nalbandov and Head of NATO Division,
Tornike Parulava regarding press reports that Georgia is
planning to increase their troop numbers by 5000 while also
increasing their military spending. Parulava told Poloff that
this will not be a sixth brigade, instead, the 5000 troops
will be dispersed amongst the current five brigades and
Parulava emphasized there are no plans to create a sixth
brigade. According to Parulava, the 5000 troops will mainly
support the air force and the Ministry of Defense is
specifically seeking people with technical backgrounds such
as engineers. Nika Rurua, Deputy Chairman for Defense and
Security confirmed to the Ambassador that Georgia will not
create a sixth brigade.
2. (SBU) Parulava informed Poloff that the decision to
increase military spending and troop numbers was made quickly
because Parliament was dispersing for the summer and a
decision was needed immediately. The additional troops will
be used to support domestic troop levels including
peacekeeping operations. In addition, Georgia is currently
reworking their Threat Assessment because it is outdated and
no longer accounts for the imminent Russian threat.
3. (SBU) Parulava informed Poloff on 16 July that Deputy
Defense Minister Muchaidze is currently in Brussels to
discuss Georgia's decision with NATO officials though
Parulava does not anticipate any problems because Georgia is
still under the CFE troop limits.
TEFFT