Georgia’s sacrifices in Iraq
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
Wednesday, May 7
This week, two Georgian soldiers were killed in Iraq when a roadside bomb struck their vehicle—the first combat deaths since deploying in 2003.
Those tragic deaths will strengthen the opposition of Georgians who want a quick end to the country’s mission in Iraq.
The government is not likely to assent, and nor should it.
President Mikheil Saakashvili has hailed Georgian soldiers’ contribution in Iraq, while volunteering to increase their tasks there.
Georgian media report that as our soldiers are becoming more active in fighting insurgents, they are becoming more likely to be targets of reprisal attacks.
But Georgia’s contributions to international war efforts are part and parcel of its bid to prove itself worthy for NATO membership.
Military officials here have suggested Georgian troops could be withdrawn from Iraq, but redeployed to Afghanistan. The Saakashvili administration is clearly committed to maintaining its contribution to NATO missions.
Leaders of the Labor Party, a populist opposition outfit with significant support, are calling for the immediate withdrawal of Georgian soldiers in Iraq, saying they are needed at home.
That campaign rabblerousing misses the point. As saddened as Georgians are by the violent death of two young soldiers, their commitment to a NATO mission will help Georgia win membership in the military alliance. And that membership is a ticket to a far stronger defense than the 2000 Georgian soldiers in Iraq, however brave they may be, could ever offer their nation.
Those tragic deaths will strengthen the opposition of Georgians who want a quick end to the country’s mission in Iraq.
The government is not likely to assent, and nor should it.
President Mikheil Saakashvili has hailed Georgian soldiers’ contribution in Iraq, while volunteering to increase their tasks there.
Georgian media report that as our soldiers are becoming more active in fighting insurgents, they are becoming more likely to be targets of reprisal attacks.
But Georgia’s contributions to international war efforts are part and parcel of its bid to prove itself worthy for NATO membership.
Military officials here have suggested Georgian troops could be withdrawn from Iraq, but redeployed to Afghanistan. The Saakashvili administration is clearly committed to maintaining its contribution to NATO missions.
Leaders of the Labor Party, a populist opposition outfit with significant support, are calling for the immediate withdrawal of Georgian soldiers in Iraq, saying they are needed at home.
That campaign rabblerousing misses the point. As saddened as Georgians are by the violent death of two young soldiers, their commitment to a NATO mission will help Georgia win membership in the military alliance. And that membership is a ticket to a far stronger defense than the 2000 Georgian soldiers in Iraq, however brave they may be, could ever offer their nation.