Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Georgia's presidential candidate from the Democratic Movement, ex-speaker of parliament Nino Burjanadze demands withdrawal of Georgian troops from Afghanistan.

"There is nothing for our military to do in Afghanistan!" Burjanadze said. "I think that one year would be enough to withdraw the contingent of 1,500 people, but the new Georgian authorities did not do this and as a result we lost 20 young men."

Burjanadze said it is not possible for Georgia to make "cannon fodder out of the 1,500 people" and several soldiers are enough to be sent to Afghanistan. As an example she cited the Baltic states, saying they have sent only 5, 10, and 15 soldiers to the country.

The presidential candidate also drew attention to the fact that soldiers from other countries in Afghanistan receive 10,000 dollars a month, while the Georgians receive only a thousand dollars.

"If NATO is our friend, let them pay the uniform tariff," Burjanadze said.

Georgia as a significant contributor to the Euro-Atlantic security is closely involved in NATO-led operations and its contribution to the ISAF operation in Afghanistan is of significant importance. Presently Georgia is the second largest troop contributor to Afghanistan among the non-NATO states.