The United States has been providing military
and technical support to independent Georgia for almost 15 years. During
this period, the overall amount of annual aid from Washington has increased
by more than several hundred times, and reached its peak in the financial
year till 2006.
It has meant that Georgia’s army was well prepared for an attack
on South Ossetia. RT offers a brief history of the preparation by the
Georgian armed forces for the war.
1994: Georgia received $63,000 under the programme of the International
Military Education and Training (IMET).
1995: Georgia received $85,000 under IMET.
1996: Georgia received $302,000 under IMET. It purchased American
military equipment for $66.000. Total:
$368,000.
1997: Georgia received $312,000 under IMET. It purchased American
military equipment for $66,000. It received $700,000 under the programme
of the Foreign Military Financing (FMF). Total:
$1,068,000.
1998: Georgia received $416,000 under IMET. It received $5,350,000
under EMF. Total: $5,766,000.
1999: Georgia received $394,000 under IMET. It received $7,950,000
under FMF. It purchased American arms for $19,000. It received $9,227,040
under the programme of Additional Defense Expenses (ADE). Total:
$17,590,040.
2000: Georgia received $409,000 under IMET. It received $3,000,000
under FMF. It purchased American arms for $3,949,000. It received
$575,000 under ADE. Total: $7,933,000.
2001: Georgia received $481,000 under IMET. It received $4,490,000
under FMF. It purchased American arms for $5,171,000. It received
$575,000 under ADE. Total: $10,717,000.
2002: Georgia received $889,000 under IMET. It received $55,500,000
under FMF. It purchased American arms for $3,647,000. Total:
$60,036,000.
29th April 2002: Pentagon announced the beginning of the Programme
of Preparation and Equipment for Georgia (PPEG). The programme was
implemented upon Georgia’s request for assistance in order to
enhance its abilities to fight against terrorism, in the Pankisi Gorge
in particular. The program was planned for 18-20 months. It
included special seminars and training as well as supplies of light
armaments and other military equipment for the Georgian army. Total
budget of the programme was $64,000,000. Also, at least 150 American
military experts were sent to Georgia. The Programme of Border Security
and Law enforcement, with a budget of $3,200,000, was implemented
at the same time.
2003: Georgia received $1,184,000 under IMET. It received $6,900,000
under FMF. It purchased American arms for $9,825,000. It received
$4,525,054 under ADE. Total: $22,434,054.
2004: Georgia received $1,040,000 under IMET. It received $12,000,000
under FMF. It purchased American arms for $7,405,000. It received
$2,786,257 under ADE. Total: $23,231,257.
April 2004: Programme of Preparation and Equipment for Georgia was
formally completed. The programme of operation for stabilisation and
reinforcement began. It was formally intended for the preparation
of Georgian armed forces to be sent to Iraq. The first stage of the
program was planned for 18-20 months with a budget of approximately
$60,000,000.
2005: Georgia received $1,413,000 under IMET. It received $11,904,000
under FMF. It purchased American arms for $32,044,000. Total:
$45,361,000.
2006: Georgia received $1,275,000 under IMET. It received $11,880,000
under FMF. It purchased American for $106,714,000. Total:
$119,869,000.
2007: Georgia received $1,235,000 under IMET. It received $10,000,000
under FMF. It purchased American arms for $10,876,000. Total:
$22,102,000.
September 2007: Beginning of the second stage of the programme of
operation for stabilisation and reinforcement.
2008: $800,000 was allocated to Georgia under IMET. $10,000,000
was allocated under FMF. $9,319,000 was allocated for purchase of
American arms. Total: $20,119,000.
