New Georgian checkpoint on Russia border (September 4)
On September 4, the United States
of America handed over to the Georgian government the Kazbegi border crossing
station on the Georgia-Russia border. The border currently remains closed, but
the United States hopes that Georgia and Russia will be able to resume
commercial and tourist links in the future and this station will play a crucial
role in ensuring the safe transit of people and goods when a decision to
re-open the border is made.
The $2.4 million checkpoint is
the latest of 18 facilities - including four points of entry - funded by the
Georgia Border Security and Law Enforcement (GBSLE) assistance program. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversaw the construction. In addition to
installing modern search equipment, and constructing offices and barracks for
the co-located Georgian Patrol Police and Revenue Service, the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers oversaw the installation of a U.S. Department of Energy-funded
radiation equipment to detect radioactive materials.
The Georgia Border Security and
Law Enforcement (GBSLE) assistance program has funded modernization of
Georgia's main border crossings of Sadakhlo, on the Armenian border, and Red
Bridge and Lagodekhi, on the Azeri border - at a total cost of $5.75 million.
Over the past ten years this program has donated over 150 million dollars worth
of goods and services to Georgian law enforcement organizations.
U.S. Ambassador John Tefft
remarked that the GBSLE funded facilities will enhance Georgian capabilities to
prevent, deter and detect contraband smuggling, illicit weapons trafficking and
illegal migration and will also help address terrorist threats.