Saakashvili praises Georgia's efforts in Afghanistan, says soldiers' death sacrifice for freedom
By Sabina Idayatova
Georgia has made yet another sacrifice on the challenging path of
freedom and joining the civilized world, President Mikheil
Saakashvili said June 6 in an address to the nation, commenting on
the death of seven Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan.
The Georgian servicemen were killed after a truck bomb hit one of the bases in the Helmand province of Afghanistan on June 6. Nine other soldiers were wounded, but there is no threat to their lives and they were hospitalized.
President Saakashvili declared June 7 the national day of mourning.
"This is a very heavy blow and there is nothing harder to me as president, to see how the Georgian families receive messages about the death of their beloved members," Saakashvili said. "This is a tragedy for them, it's a blow to the country, for each of us. I have been to Afghanistan several times in recent years and three times had an opportunity to meet with our military at the place of duty. They are very proud of the mission they are fulfilling against the daily hazards, displaying bravery."
This is a very difficult mission and the more it is coming to an end - the withdrawal of the military contingent in 2014 -- the more dangerous it becomes for the Georgian military, Saakashvili said.
"Why we are in Afghanistan -- the question in every Georgian family -- we are there to strengthen our country, because Georgia can be saved only if we become part of strong alliances, become members of the EU and NATO, and if we are to contribute to global security, " Saakashvili said.
"I have just got a letter from the secretary general of NATO, which pours praise on our actions and our military, extending condolences. They [the killed Georgian soldiers] died for the future of our country and our children," the President added.
"It is our obligation before the memory of our fallen soldiers not to give up, not to step back and to continue moving towards the Euro-Atlantic space, to continue our daily struggle for Georgia's independence. I'm sorry for every family of the deceased and all of Georgia and I am sure that their death will not be in vain and we shall ensure our security," Saakashvili said.
Georgia has lost 28 servicemen so far during its involvement in the NATO mission in Afghanistan.
The Defense Ministry reported that Minister Irakli Alasania cut short his official visit to Brussels and left for Afghanistan. He familiarized himself with the situation and visited the wounded.
Alasania has also met with Afghan Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi.
Mohammadi expressed condolences over the death of the Georgian soldiers during the suicide attack on the military base. He also thanked his counterpart for the dedication of the Georgian military in the fight against terrorism.
The two ministers discussed the overall situation in Afghanistan and the details of the plans for the future.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in the letter addressed to President Saakashvili and Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, offered his condolences to the Georgian people and the families of the victims in Afghanistan.
"Georgia takes a heavy burden in Afghanistan and paid a high price for it. Georgia plays an important role in these efforts, for which we thank you," the letter says.
Rasmussen stressed that such terrible incidents will not force NATO to abandon the goal, which is to transfer the responsibility to the Afghan people for the security of their country.
Georgia deems accession to NATO as one of its top foreign policy priorities. Soon after the declaration of independence, Georgia joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. Georgia's bilateral relations with NATO were established in 1994 when the country joined the Partnership for Peace program (PfP). At the informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in 2006 it was decided to launch Intensified Dialogue on Membership Issues with the South Caucasus republic.
Georgia as a significant contributor to Euro-Atlantic security is closely involved in NATO-led operations and its contribution to the ISAF operation in Afghanistan is of significant importance. Georgia is currently the second largest troop contributor to Afghanistan among the non-NATO states.