March 29, 2007
Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza
Press Availability
Ministery Of Defense
Q: Can you comment on this meeting (with Minister of Defense Kezerashvili)?
DAS BRYZA: First I congratulated him on his leadership and on how quickly he has established his authority in a very difficult job and the effectiveness of his style of delegating his authority to his military uniformed officers so they can make military decisions. We talked about Georgia's NATO aspirations and our hope that Georgia moves as quickly as possible on its internal reforms and continued progress on the peaceful resolution of the conflicts so that the membership action plan is a reality as soon possible. And I was making the point of how effectively we thought Georgia handled the attack against Georgia in the Kodori Gorge on March 11. I was stressing that Georgia's approach strengthens Georgia's international position and makes it easier for us to negotiate a fair and constructive resolution for UNOMIG's renewal.
Q: Is the White House planning a missile defense system in Georgia?
DAS BRYZA: I have nothing to talk about in terms of missile defense in the Caucasus. I think General Obering clarified the situation. We're in the early process of discussing the missile defense system with Czech Republic and Poland. I have nothing to say about the South Caucasus
 Printer Friendly Version
|
