US trains new troops in ex-Soviet Georgia

TBILISI, Dec 6 (AFP) - A top US general announced plans Monday to equip Georgia's military with a modern force able to join Western missions as the impoverished former Soviet republic seeks to become part of the NATO alliance.
"A new stage of military cooperation will be launched between Georgia and the United States, starting in early 2005," said Peter Pace, the vice chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
"Within the framework of the new Sustainment and Stability Operations Program, US instructors will train four Georgian battalions," he said.
Georgian generals said the program would cost Washington about 60 million dollars and train 3,000 troops.
"The new US program represents a new step made by Georgia toward the NATO alliance," said Georgian Defense Minister Gina Baramidze.
Russia has expressed concern over the US presence in Georgia, whose new leader has tense relations with Moscow and is trying to escape from Kremlin dominance.

12/06/2004 14:27 GMT - AFP