AUGUST 2008 ISSUE #14

The West Stands United Georgian Heroes Buried

against Russian
Aggression, So far
On September 1, as human
chains symbolizing Georgia’s
unity in the face of Russian ag-
gression linked all over Georgia,
leaders of 27 European nations
gathered in Brussels to show
their own unity on arguably the
most pressing, and potentially
dividing, issues in the EU’s for-
eign policy since the 2003 dis-
pute over Iraq. The extraordinary
meeting of the European Coun-
cil of the European Union con-
vened on Monday, the very first
working day after summer holi-
days, to stand up in one voice to
the Russian occupation of its tiny
neighbor, to oppose violation of
Georgia’s territorial integrity and
to pledge unwavering support for
the Georgian people. The final
statement by the European
Council brought a significant
momentum to the West’s firm
reaction to Moscow’s latest dem-
onstration of force. It was an
important follow-up to NATO’s
Foreign Ministers’ council meet-
ing held on August 19 which also
signaled, despite certain difficul-
ties and the Kremlin’s expecta-
tions to the contrary, that West-
ern nations would not turn a
blind eye to what Russia was up
to in its and the EU’s common
backyard. NATO expressed con-
Many people have been wait-
ing for the September 1 as de-
finitive time when the EU would
decide on concrete sanctions
against Russia for the atrocities
it had committed in Georgia and
the ongoing occupation of the
country. The United Kingdom,
Poland, Baltic States, Sweden
and the Czech Republic were
among the proponents of a tough
stance towards Russia, while
others, especially Italy, were
against sanctions. Many feared
it would be difficult to see the
Union speak in a single voice
when it comes to its relations
with Russia. But these expecta-
tions did not come to pass. Even
traditionally skeptical countries
like Germany and France have
changed their positions in favor
of more criticism towards Rus-
sia and greater tangible support
for Georgia.
In fact, as it turned out, the
summit of European leaders was
moderately strict, but insistent on
Moscow’s good behavior and
delivered important results to
Georgia. Firstly, Europeans sup-
ported Georgia’s territorial integ-
rity, strongly condemned “Rus-
sia’s unilateral decision to recog-
nize independence of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia” and urged oth-
at Brothers’ Cemetery
tember 8 together with three oth-
er high-level EU officials, said at
the press conference that the di-
vision of Europe into spheres of
influence like the one in Yalta was
over.
Secondly, the EU considered
“the disproportionate reaction of
Russia” as unacceptable, a mes-
sage which was important in that
it diluted Russia’s information
campaign aimed at saving face
by putting a positive spin on its
actions in Georgia and labeling
itself a “peace-enforcer”. All
Russian claims that its military
campaign was legal and neces-
sary for peaceful purposes have
been ignored by the EU. Certain-
ly, the EU could have adopted a
more confrontational tone in de-
fining Russian actions, but it
nevertheless saw Georgia as a
victim of Russian aggression,
something Moscow would not
like to accept.
Thirdly, the EU welcomed
the six-point ceasefire agreement
mediated by Nicolas Sarkozy,
President of France, which holds
the EU’s Presidency, but said
that the implementation of the
agreement must be adhered to.
“The European Council calls on
the parties to continue the full
implementation in good faith of

cern over Russia’s actions, which
the Alliance said were dispropor-
tionate and inconsistent with its
peacekeeping role. The Alliance
pledged to assist Georgia by set-
ting up a Georgian-NATO Com-
mission, sending 15 experts to
assess the damaged civil infra-
structure, the state and needs of
the Georgian MoD and Armed
Forces, as well as to help in the
areas of their air traffic system
and cyber attacks.
er states not to follow Kremlin’s
suit. “It recalls that a peaceful and
lasting solution to the conflict in
Georgia must be based on the full
respect for the principles of inde-
pendence, sovereignty and terri-
torial integrity,” stated EU lead-
ers, adding that every nation can
freely decide upon the alliances
it wants to join. Nicolas Sarkozy,
President of France, which holds
the EU’s Presidency and who is
going to visit Moscow on Sep-
Georgia buried the unknown
soldiers who made the supreme
sacrifice for the territorial integ-
rity of Georgia with military
honors at Mukhatgverdi Broth-
ers’ Cemetery. A funeral march,
the state anthem and salvoes ac-
companied the funeral proces-
sion of the unknown Georgian
heroes. The bodies of our broth-
ers-in-arms were transferred
from Tskhinvali by the assistance
of the Patriarchate of Georgia.
The burial ceremony of the
seven unknown Georgian mili-
tary servicemen was held on
August 19. 14 additional un-
known soldiers were buried on
August 30. The funeral of the
41st Battalion Commander of the
IV Infantry Brigade was held on
the same day. The body of Ma-
jor Shalva Dolidze was carried
out from Kashueti Church and
the agreement they have signed.
The military forces which have
not yet withdrawn to the lines
prior to the outbreak of hostili-
ties must do so without delay”,
says the statement, apparently
Interview with the
hinting on Russia’s military pres- First Deputy
ence in the “buffer zones” and
incomplete adherence to the
agreement for which European Defense Minister
leaders had repeatedly criticized
Moscow before the summit. Batu Kutelia
Continued on p.3
buried next to the cemetery.
Father Zakaria, chief priest
of Saint Tamar Church, held
burial services for 26 military
servicemen on August 28. The
burial ceremony of these heroes
was attended by the Minister of
Defense of Georgia, David
Kezerashvili, and his deputies,
as well as by other high rank-
ing officials of the Georgian
Armed Forces. After the cere-
mony, comments were made
regarding the heroism of the
Georgian soldiers. Defense
Minister of Georgia David
Kezerashvili stated, “Today we
buried 26 brave soldiers killed
in Tskhinvali. 43 soldiers were
handed over yesterday. Identi-
fication of some of them has not
yet been completed, but after a
DNA examination we’ll identi-
fy their names and return them
INSIDE
U.S. Ships
Deliver Aid to
Georgia
to the families.” According to
the First Deputy Defense Min-
ister Batu Kutelia, “Today we
will have a day of mourning, as
we are burying the heroes who
sacrificed themselves for the
welfare of our country, for
Georgia’s bright future. Georgia
will never forget their names. I
want to express my condolenc-
es to their families. However, on
the other hand, we are proud, as
there are people in Georgia who
are ready to sacrifice their lives
for the prosperity of our coun-
try. I wish this were the last sac-
rifice for the freedom and inde-
pendence of our country and ba-
sis for future victories.”
The official death toll among
the military personnel stands at
156. 46 of them still remain uni-
dentified and the fate of 14 sol-
diers is not clear yet.
2 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
Interview with the First Deputy Defense
Minister Batu Kutelia
The European Council strongly
condemned Russia’s unilateral deci-
sion to recognize the independence of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They
considered this decision unacceptable
and called on other states not to rec-
ognize their independence. In addi-
tion, the European Union declared
that until Russian troops have with-
drawn to the positions held prior to
August 7, meetings concerning nego-
tiations of the Partnership Agreement
will be postponed. Do you think that
Russia will adhere to the six-point
agreement initiated by the French
President by the EU’s next Summit?
Well, first of all, we have to under-
line that Russia already violated all in-
ternational legal norms and Russia, by
its aggressive actions while occupying
Georgia’s sovereign territory, already
violated the basic fundamental princi-
pals, which is ensuring security accord-
ing to law. So that’s why it’s hard to
make any predictions how Russia will
proceed in terms of fulfilling the six
point cease-fire agreement between
Georgia and Russia mediated by Presi-
dent Sarkozy. But what the EU did was
that it showed clearly to the Russian
Federation that if Russia will not use this
last chance to fulfill these obligations
there will be a price that Russia will have
to pay and Russia will pay according to
the obligations they have signed.
What do you think, how important
a role do the Member States of the Eu-
ropean Union play in strengthening
the OSCE observer mission in South
Ossetia, by sending its observers?
A key point in our policy towards the
peaceful resolution of both conflicts in
our territory is maximizing the interna-
tionalization of this process. This means
that, not withstanding what type of or-
ganizational umbrella there will be, we
are interested to have as many observ-
U.S. Ships Deliver Aid to Georgia
Despite the ongoing events in Geor-
gia, the Defense Department and U.S.
European Command stand ready to as-
sist as required to save lives and allevi-
ate human suffering during the humani-
tarian crisis. More than 100,000 people
in Tbilisi have been displaced during the
conflict with Russia over the two disput-
ed Georgian provinces and USAID is
working with an estimated 160 U.S.-
based nongovernmental organizations in
Georgia.
“The USAID-funded feeding pro-
grams are taking care of those people who
are on the move and headed back to their
homes. They are the ones that are doing
the delivering, primarily in the Tbilisi
area, where many persons were dis-
placed, but it’s also going into other ar-
eas as well within the republic of Geor-
gia,” said EuCom’s director of inter-
agency engagement Michael Ritchie.
President Bush reiterated the United
States’s “unwavering support” to Geor-
gia and said Russia’s actions were not
consistent with its commitment on the
provisional ceasefire. In a special state-
ment made on August 13 in the presence
of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates,
Bush said the United States “stands with
the democratically elected government of
Georgia” and “insists that the sovereign-
ty and territorial integrity of Georgia be
respected.” He said that the United States
would launch a massive humanitarian aid
program.
Since August 13, Operation “Assured
Delivery” has resulted in more than 2
ers as will be possible. This will give us
the possibility to make frank and hon-
est assessments of the situation on the
ground, to comply with basic human
rights and provide all the necessary as-
sistance to the refugees so they may re-
turn to the places where they lived and,
in addition, this is the strongest guaran-
tee for future security in these areas.
The Leader States of Europe have
declared that Georgia will definitely
become a NATO member and Geor-
gia will receive MAP status in a very
short period of time. This decision was
made during a meeting concerning
the creation of the NATO-Georgia
Council by NATO Ministerial. What
do you think, will Russia again use its
million pounds of food, water, bedding
and medical supplies, nearly $21 million
dollars worth, being delivered to the
Georgian people in need.
The first ship to dispense humanitari-
an assistance was the U.S. Navy guided
missile destroyer the USS McFaul, which
arrived in Batumi on August 24, depart-
ing from Souda Bay, Crete. The U.S.
warship delivered humanitarian aid in the
amount of 82 pallets with over 70 tons of
supplies including items for hygiene,
baby food and infant-care supplies, bot-
tled water and milk. The McFaul left
Batumi on August 26 but still remains in
the Black Sea and is conducting routine
operations.
The destroyer is located off Batumi,
about 75 km from the major port town of
Poti, which remains under the control of
Russian forces. There is a Russian check-
point at the entrance to the town.
Georgian Defense Minister Davit
Kezerashvili told journalists in Batumi
on August 24 that “the infrastructure of
the port of Poti was damaged in Russian
strikes. The presence of the U.S. Navy
ship in Georgia means that no one in the
world would allow Russia to meddle in
Georgia.”
Within the framework of humanitari-
an aid, another U.S. military ship, Dal-
las, docked at the coast of Batumi on
August 27 in order to provide an estab-
lished distribution hub to quickly dis-
pense the aid. The Dallas is deployed to
the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations and
is part of the larger maritime force offer-
ing humanitarian assistance. “It is fortu-
leverage to stop Georgia’s integration
into the Alliance in spite of the fact
that Russia isn’t a NATO member and
doesn’t posses the right of veto.
Recent experience has showed us that
all attempts made by the Russian Feder-
ation to bloc Georgia’s NATO integra-
tion or to prevent Georgia’s NATO inte-
gration had a contrary effect. By employ-
ing these destructive means they are ac-
celerating Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic inte-
gration, they are accelerating our societ-
ies understanding that “yes NATO is nec-
essary and the only possibility for pro-
viding long-term security for our nation”
and Russia is also once again convinc-
ing the rest of the world that the young
Georgian democracy is under threat and
that it needs protection and the Georgia’s
Euro-Atlantic aspiration based on the will
of nation should be satisfied. That under-
standing has already reached a critical
stage and all NATO member countries
have agreed that Georgia will have to
become a NATO member country as soon
as possible.
As concerns Abkhazia and South
Ossetia, how do you think processes
will develop given recent events?
Of course the steps made by the Rus-
sian Federation in terms of recognizing
the independence of the separatist re-
gimes in our territory was not a positive
step towards this and it significantly es-
calates the situation and significantly
undermines the prospects of a peaceful
AUGUST 2008 ISSUE #14
solution of the conflicts. Not withstand-
ing these actions from the Russian side,
a positive element of this is that now the
rest of the world, which has capability
and willingness to support us, to main-
tain our territorial integrity and to re-
solve the conflict peacefully, they un-
derstood that Russia is a party of the
conflict and there is a need for interna-
tional presence. Keeping in mind all
these things, we can now view with a
common understanding that in the west-
ern democratic world the chances are
quite good for accelerating the process
of a peaceful resolution to these con-
flicts. Of course, it will not happen over-
night, but with patience and a mutual
political approach I am absolutely sure
that we will be able to resolve these
problems in the near future.
How do you evaluate the reaction
of the international society and their
contribution for the de-escalation of
these conflicts?
I think the international community
reacted absolutely adequately to the con-
flict that began in August; it was a direct
military clash between Georgia and Rus-
sia. However, I think their reaction was a
little bit late, because we have been warn-
ing our partners and Allies in the west
that this problem was coming and that
Russia was planning this aggression; we
all witnessed when President Putin de-
clared that they had done their homework
to reciprocate the Kosovo issue in Abk-
hazia and South Ossetia, and this was an
alarming sign for us. We had been warn-
ing our partners that Russia is planning
these types of activities in our region.
Unfortunately, direct hostilities were nec-
essary to sharpen the senses of the inter-
national organizations, but right now I
can confirm that we have the strongest
support ever witnessed in the history of
our country.
Nino Gogochishvili
nate to us that the Dallas happened to be
in the European theater. This is the kind
of thing for which the Coast Guard has a
great deal of experience and we are proud
to have them as part of the 6th fleet team
that’s providing this assistance,” said
EuCom’s director of inter-agency en-
gagement Michael Ritchie.
While in Batumi, the Dallas offload-
ed 80 pallets with more than 76,000
pounds of humanitarian assistance and
supplies. The goods include items for
hygiene, food, milk and juices.
The Georgian side arranged a solemn
ceremony for the crew of the American
ship. The representatives of the Joint Staff
of the Georgian Armed Forces and Ad-
jara authorities met the guests in Batumi.
These ships represent the first from
the United States to participate in the de-
livery of humanitarian assistance to
Georgia. Both the McFaul, based in
Norfolk, Va., and the Dallas, based in
Charleston, S.C., are on regularly sched-
uled deployments in the 6th Fleet area of
responsibility.
One more crew, that of the USS
Mount Whitney, also loaded humanitari-
an relief materials in the ship’s homeport
of Gaeta, Italy and docked in Georgia at
the end of August. The ship also deliv-
ered thousands of blankets, hygiene kits,
baby food and infant-care supplies to save
lives and alleviate human suffering.
Along with humanitarian assistance,
EuCom assessment teams are in Georgia
examining the infrastructure to see what
was damaged.
Tea Kerdzevadze
AUGUST 2008 ISSUE #14
The West Stands United against
Russian Aggression, So far
Continued from p.1
Besides, the EU demanded fulfillment
of provision 5 of the agreement which
stipulates that an international monitor-
ing mechanism will be created in the vi-
cinity of the conflict zone. The EU has
expressed its readiness to “replace the
Russian additional security measures in
the zone adjacent to South Ossetia.”
Fourthly, the European Union is ready
to urgently begin international talks con-
cerning the security and stability arrange-
ments in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as
provided for in point 6 of the agreement.
“The European Union is ready to com-
mit itself, including through a presence
on the ground, to support every effort to
secure a peaceful and lasting solution to
the conflict in Georgia.” What this means
is that the EU member states reiterated
their willingness to contribute their troops
in an international peacekeeping contin-
gency which should ideally replace Rus-
sians in the conflict zones. As Javier Sola-
na, the EU’s High Commissioner for
Common Foreign and Security Policy,
noted, the EU aims to solve the problems
of Georgia’s separatist regions step by
step. In addition to the EU’s resolve to
help bolster OSCE’s observer mission in
South Ossetia, the statement says, it also
agrees to send immediately a “fact-find-
ing mission with the task of helping to
gather information and defining the mo-
dalities for an increased European Union
commitment on the ground, under the
European Security and Defence Policy.”
Whether such an ESDP mission will be
a peacekeeping or monitoring one, or
what kind of mandate it will have, re-
mains to be seen. However, arguably the
EU does not feel comfortable with the
status quo in the breakaway regions and
is unhappy with Russia’s previous dom-
inating role in “peacekeeping” there. All
the EU needs to do now is to push Rus-
sia to agree on the internalization of
peacekeeping forces, a task which will
certainly be not easy to do.
Fifthly, Georgia will get considerable
material assistance from the EU. More-
over, most of the promised material ben-
efits have to do with the acceleration of
the process of Georgia’s European inte-
gration. Not only will the EU involve it-
self in the reconstruction of Georgia, but
it will also “step up its relations with
Georgia, including visa facilitation mea-
sures and the possible establishment of a
full and comprehensive free trade area
as soon as the conditions are met.” A sim-
plified visa regime for many Georgians
traveling to the EU and barrier-free ac-
cess for Georgian products to penetrate
the most desired market in the world will
have a direct effect on the living stan-
dards of Georgia’s population. Europe-
ans will strengthen ties with Georgia in
the framework of the EU’s “Black Sea
Synergy” initiative and an “Eastern Part-
nership” which will probably be adopted
in March 2009. Experts have argued that
these preferences will also help with a
greater institutional integration of Geor-
gia in the EU over time. The EU will con-
vene an international conference with the
aim of collecting funds, possibly as much
as 1 billion Euro as Georgia has request-
ed, for reconstruction efforts in Georgia.
The European Commission has already
allocated 6 million Euro for humanitari-
an aid and promised some 8.4 million
Euro more. In a nutshell, the EU, togeth-
er with the US having pledged 1 billion
USD, might give Georgia more than it
lost during this war and help vastly im-
prove Georgia’s economic climate.
The European Council will take steps
to better coordinate and ensure the
achievement of the aforementioned ob-
jectives. It will appoint a European Union
Special Representative for the crisis in
Georgia.
Sixthly, EU member states have
reached a breakthrough on the important
issue of the EU’s common energy policy
in the sense that the states with so many
different interests in cooperation with
Russia, many of whom often tend to
strike separate agreements with Moscow
on energy issues, expressed “the need for
Europe to intensify its efforts in regard
to the security of energy supplies.” The
lack of the EU’s flexibility to act against
Russia following the Georgian crisis due
to Europe’s dependence on Russian hy-
drocarbons has led the EU to reconsider
its vulnerability and help in the diversifi-
cation of its energy sources and supply
routes. This is both a challenge to a self-
confident Russia and a support to coun-
tries like Georgia, Ukraine, Poland and
others who have felt the brunt of the EU’s
energy dependency on Russia.
And last but not least, the EU made
its relationship with Russia conditional
on the latter’s fulfillment of its obliga-
tions. Though many experts anticipated
or wished that the EU would have adopt-
ed sanctions against Russia, the EU took
a more balanced, but strict position. It said
“with the crisis in Georgia, relations be-
tween the EU and Russia have reached a
crossroads.” It mentioned the word “iso-
lation” and warned that despite EU’s pref-
erence for partnership relations with Rus-
sia “the Union will remain vigilant” and
MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
3
Charity Act of
Defense Attaches
wants “a careful in-depth examination of
the situation and of various aspects of
EU-Russia relations” to be in progress
up until the next summit in Nice on No-
vember 14. Finally, the EU implented a
token sanction by postponing the next
round of talks on the long-sought EU-
Russia Partnership Agreement, which
expired last year, until Russian troops
have withdrawn from Georgia.
The decisions of the EU’s highest
body were upheld by European legisla-
tors who have a significant say in bud-
getary affairs, but fewer powers in for-
eign policy. The European Parliament,
in a separate resolution passed on Sep-
tember 3 with 549 votes in favor versus
68 against, reiterated that Russia’s mili-
tary actions were “unacceptable and dis-
LTC Karen Muradyan and WO 2 Dean Anthony Plant with newborn Mariam
Defense Attachés of foreign countries have congratulated Georgia on the new-
born namesakes of St. Mariam during the religious feast, the Dormition of the The-
otokos, on August 28. The winner of the National Media Project “Etalon”, the De-
fense Attaché of the Republic of Armenia, LTC Karen Muradyan, the Assistant to
the Defence Attaché of the UK, WO 2 Dean Anthony Plant, and US Defense and
Army Attaché Col Matthew Brand all presented gifts to the newborn babies and
their parents. Traditionally City Hall awards the winners of “Etalon” with a year’s
monthly payments worth 100 GEL that will be also presented to the first three in-
fants born on August 28.
The newborns also received gifts from the Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, as well an
icon of the Holy Theotokos, a copy of the New Testament and candles.
The event was organized by the National Media Project “Etalon” and the Geor-
gian Defense Ministry.
Changes in Staff
Based on the Order #4304 by Minister of Defense of Georgia, Major-General
Devi Chankotadze has been appointed the Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the
Georgian Armed Forces. To date, Major-General Devi Chankotadze has served as
the Commander of Land Forces Artillery Brigade of the Joint Staff of the Georgian
Armed Forces. Colonel Vakhtang Maisuradze has been appointed to the position of
Commander of the Artillery Brigade.
proportionate.” The EP urged the Euro- In addition to these changes, one more promotion is of note. According to Order
pean Commission to “review their poli- #573 by the President of Georgia, Major Zurab Agladze has been appointed Land
cy towards Russia” if Moscow does not Forces Commander of the Georgian Armed Forces.
meet the deadlines set by the European
Council. The parliament deplored the vi-
olations of international law by the Rus-
sian Federation and voiced the critical
importance of energy projects involving
Group Baptism at Krtsanisi
Georgia. Moreover, the budgetary affairs
committee proposed the freezing of fi-
nancial aids of the EU to Russia. “The
National Training Center
idea is circulating among the eurodepu-
ties involved in budgetary affairs to
freeze some 60.5 million Euro destined
for Russia under the neighborhood pol-
icy and to attach conditions to deblock-
ing,” MEP Janusz Lewandowski, vice-
president of the committee, was quoted
as saying. This proposal will be voted
on in October.
It can be concluded that the EU has
lived up to the expectations of the Geor-
gian government in its efforts to focus
more on supporting Georgia than pun-
ishing Russia. Europeans still adopted
one measure: halting Russian-EU nego-
tiations on the partnership agreement,
something they did before when Russia
was waging its brutal war in Chechnya.
But the EU fell short of isolating Russia
at this stage. The summit decisions were
in line with what most Western pundits
advocated for: jumping to sanctions
right away would have less of an effect
than being patient. What is important is
that Europe has managed to show an un-
precedented unity which disappointed
Moscow and set specific deadlines for To celebrate the religious holiday, the Dormition of the Theotokos, 30 military
Russia’s compliance with international servicemen were baptised into the Orthodox religion. The baptism ceremony was
law. If the latter fails to comply, the EU performed at the Defense Ministry’s National Training Center “Krtsanisi”. Father
warns, it already has a set plans for ac- Sergi baptised the 30 members of the 53rd Battalion of the 5th Infantry Brigade in
tion. It will take only weeks to see the David Aghmashenebeli Church, which is being built at the area’s center. Most of
true nature of the EU’s much applauded those baptised were from the region of Adjara. According to the servicemen fol-
unity. lowing the ceremony, they decided to become Christians after returning from the
Nodar Tangiashvili war. They chose their brothers-in-arms as their godfathers.
4 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 2008 ISSUE #14

War-weary Women
War has one characteristic feature – it
destroys everything around but can not
harm the bravery of human beings.
Eka and Eter are army doctors. In Au-
gust both of them were fighting on the
front line against Russian aggression
shoulder to shoulder with their male com-
rades-in-arms and experienced a lot to-
gether.
Combat medic of 4th Company of the
21st Light Infantry Battalion, II Infantry
Brigade, Sgt. Ekaterina Zviadauri:
“During combat operations our task
was to provide initial medical assistance
91 Officers Added to Armed Forces of Georgia to the wounded soldiers and their imme-
The students of the National Defense Academy were granted a starting military diate evacuation from the battlefield. Be-
rank of Lieutenant on August 29. The solemn ceremony took place at the National fore combat activities we were doing this
Defense Academy. The First Deputy Defense Minister Batu Kutelia, Deputy Defence only during exercises and theoretical train-
Minister Giorgi Muchaidze, Head of the Department of Educational of the Joint Staff ings. August 8 changed everything…”
of the Georgian Armed Forces LTC Vladimir Chachibaia, Head of the National De- Ossetian criminal gangs attacked Geor-
fense Academy Col Tariel Londaridze and Georgian MP Soso Kutateladze congratu- gian military units in the village of Nikozi.
lated the officers on their graduation of the Junior Officers Training courses. Here, Sgt. Zviadauri felt the brutality of
Two days earlier the students of the Defense Academy passed their examinations war for the first time. She still remembers
for physical fitness and a series of complex tests. The examination process was ob- six wounded soldiers and their martial
served by the Chief of the Department of Education of the Joint Staff of the Georgian spirit. The combat medic recollects that
Armed Forces, LTC Vladimer Chachibaia and other MoD and GAF officials. LTC all of them were asking for medical aid
Vladimer Chachibaia declared, “These future officers have undergone training for the with the sole purpose to return to the bat-
guidance of Georgian instructors in land forces specializations. The same kinds of tlefield as soon as possible. She had seen
training will be resumed in autumn of the current year.” such scenes only in movies before.
After the solemn ceremony Deputy Defense Minister Batu Kutelia stated, “To At the age of 29, Eka has learned un-
strengthen the Georgian Army is very important considering the recent developments written laws of war as well. “War has un-
in our country. Today, a new flow of officers has been added to the Georgian Armed written laws and if you do not observe
Forces. With the assistance of their instructors, they have acquired the skills that will these laws you will become neither a hero
promote the development of the Georgian Army.” nor will be able to recognize one.”
The Junior Officers Training courses, including initial training, candidate and basic “I will never forget the face of the
courses, started in November 2007. For nine months 91 lieutenants were trained in young boy with a severely injured arm
infantry, armored tanks, engineering, logistic and communication specializations. which was bleeding. He undoubtedly
needed immediate evacuation and we
called for the ambulance. You cannot
Hero Medic imagine what it cost us to bring him to the
ambulance. He was demanding to take up Sgt. Ekaterina Zviadauri
his gun again and to return to combat.”
Eka describes the bravery of Gogi seriously wounded soldiers from the bat- member and tell us, but currently the girls
Tskhadadze with great emotion and is sure tle field. Initially they had to “inject him prefer to speak about their dreams and say
that in his face, Georgia has a hero of the with a sedative so as to cushion the shock that their number one wish is to live in a
modern era. from the pain. During the intensive bomb- united Georgia. Another wish is for there
I asked Eka to tell us her story, one that ing, when Eka and I approached him and to be women’s battalion in the Georgian
I had heard before and that astonished me were ready to inject him, he flatly refused. Armed Forces. A man can never view an
greatly. It was pretty hard to persuade her As we soon discovered, the wounded sol- army from a woman’s perspective. Wom-
and I had to ask her friend, Eter. dier was afraid of injections,” remembers en have a certain perspective and wit so
Combat medic of Delta Company of Eter as she finishes the happy end of the as to stand shoulder to shoulder during
the 21st Light Infantry Battalion, II Infan- story. trouble. ...!
try Brigade, 1st Sgt. Eter Totiauri: Perhaps Eka and Eter have a lot to re- Shalva Londaridze
From the very first day of the combat
Eter was in the thick of events. Many he-
roes were born in front of her during those
days; among them is Eka Zviadauri.
While regrouping in the village of Vari-
Captain ani, one of the soldiers was seriously
Leri Lagurashvili
wounded. At that time there was deficit of
On August 9 on the front lines of the family, friends and relatives don’t think medicine. For that reason the injured sol-
Georgia-Russian war near the village of about August 20, 2008. After 11 days of diers’ outlook was becoming more and
Zemo Nikozi Captain Leri Lagurashvili fighting his heart stopped forever. The more unhopeful. Despair was increasing
of 21st Battalion of the Second Infantry battalion medic left a wife and a four and hope was nowhere. In a while Eter
Brigade of the Georgian Armed Forces year old daughter behind. noticed something strange in Eka’s activ-
was fighting to save the lives of his com- The 21st Battalion is still recovering ities. “Eka put on the helmet of a wound-
rades when he got hit by grenade. The from their deaths, but it is the families ed soldier and ran towards a tank. She
men standing shoulder to shoulder next who have lost the most. They are the immediately disappeared under the tank.
to him say he inspired more hope after ones who have to live on without their All this appeared in front of me in several
that by insisting that he’d be fine and fathers or their husbands or their sons. seconds. At first I had no idea what was
that they have to continue the operation Georgian people recognize the sacrific- going on. Soon everything became clear.
with same motivation as they had all day es they and their fellow servicemen have Eka returned with a bag full of medicine
long. Captain Leri Lagurashvili was made. The least we can do is to show for the wounded soldiers. ...”
born in 1976. After graduating Tbilisi some remembrance for them and what Eter continued to tell me another story
State Medical Institute in 2002 he joined they gave and what their families gave. about the bravery of this Battalion Com-
the Georgian Armed Forces, beginning That’s the very least we can do as a na- mander. As Eter said, Captain Kurdiani is
his service in the 16th Battalion of the tion. August 11 is a day to remember one of those brave soldiers who faces the
Georgian National Guards located in Sa- the Georgian Combat Medic and this enemy without fear.
chkhere. day will be very intimate for everyone Although the enemy wounded him
Leri’s father, Mr. Tengiz Lagurash- who knew medic. He died for a noble three times, the young commander left
vili, is a retired soldier from Soviet times cause; he went with dignity and honor. neither the battlefield nor those under his
and it’s probably another good reason We believe it is important to remem- command for a minute. Eter remembers
why all of his sons followed in his steps ber, because if we don’t remember, we quite well how she tried her best to make
by choosing a life in the military. His undervalue what happened. the commander agree to dress a wound
younger brother, 2nd Lieutenant Levan The Georgian military has been but it was in vain. ... “Now is no time for
Lagurashvili, is also a member of the through a lot of pain and loss and this this,” said Captain Kurdiani.
Second Infantry Brigade as a company gives us more power to continue forward Eter thanks God that his wounds were
commander. Another brother, Alexan- with determined steps now and forever not fatal and the Commander is alive now.
dre, serves in the capital in one of the to succeed and unite our territory. Cap- Eter and Eka remember many other
army units. tain Lagurashvili served his country with tragic stories from the war but now they
Everyone who knew the battalion a great love and now his two brothers recollect some of these memories with a
doctor describe him as a brave, caring will continue in his steps. smile.
person who never stepped back and gave God bless his and his comrades’ souls During my conversation with the girls
power to others. who lived and died with honor. they remembered one story from the bat-
There isn’t a day that goes by that Mindia Arabuli tlefield. They had to take out one of the 1st Sgt. Eter Totiauri