2008 Embassy Events
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Ambassador Tefft and Tea Shonia, Radio Atinati correspondent, 2008 International Visitor Participant on Peace Journalism
Ambassador Tefft Visits Zugdidi
On December 2-3, Ambassador Tefft visited Zugdidi to meet with local authorities and media and civil society representatives to get a better understanding of current political, security and economic situation in this region. Zugdidi is adjacent to Georgia’s conflict zone in Abkhazia and was occupied by Russian troops during the Russian invasion in August 2008. In his exclusive interview to Zugdidi’s Radio Atinati, Ambassador Tefft reiterated the Unties States unwavering support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Speaking about U.S. financial assistance to Georgia the Ambassador said: “We put our money where our mouth is.” He also stressed the vital importance of regional media. The anchor thanked the Ambassador for the prompt financial assistance to Radio Atianti which helped the station restore its broadcast capability after damage sustained in the Russian occupation. During the visit, Ambassador Tefft met with European Union Monitoring Mission and UNOMIG officers working in Zugdidi. Before leaving the region, Ambassador Tefft visited the Zugdidi Multi-Profile Clinical Hospital funded through USAID’s Healthy Women in Georgia Program. “I’m very impressed not only with the quality of this modern facility but with the doctors and the entire staff; it’s a great team. The statistics show a reduction of problems with births. People in this city must be very happy to have this wonderful facility,” the Ambassador told the gathered media at the hospital. Ambassador Tefft also visited the 1300 MW Enguri Hydro Power Station Dam to get familiar with the operation and rehabilitation of Georgia’s primary power asset located on Georgian-controlled territory in the Upper Svaneti Region.
