|
Q: (Reuters/Caucasus Bureau) Two questions. Last week the
Survey Team visited some of the facilities that can be used for actual
training. Do you think these facilities will meet the requirements of
the GTEP? What are your first impressions?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) The facilities we saw were just great. The assistance
we received in looking at those facilities made all the difference in
the world in terms of getting in there in a timely manner. Frankly, I
did not see a facility that we could not use. What we plan to do: this
week's evaluations were for training areas for phase 2 of staff training.
So obviously we are looking at auditoriums, classrooms, lecture halls,
and we want to move around the capital as much as possible to encourage
as many agencies to participate as possible.
Q: (Reuters/Caucasus Bureau) Thank you and second question: Is it determined
now and do you have an approximate date of when the main body of instructors
is arriving? And can you be called the commander of the instructors and
not the Site Survey Team only?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) Three questions. The first one: The Site Survey
-- this is a team from European Command and Special Operations Command
Europe. Second question, I believe I am a commander for the Train and
Equip; and the third question, yes, the arrival of the main body is tied
to setting up basing, transportation and those kinds of things, but within
the schedule that we already have, I still predict the main body to be
here by the end of the month.
Q: (Russian TV 6/local stringer) There were some sources saying that
US military personnel that will be coming will be also used in the Pankisi
Gorge. The question is while they [instructors] are here, can circumstances
arise when these [US] forces/personnel will probably participate somehow
in Pankisi Gorge?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) Again, my mission is the Georgia Train and Equip
mission that I just briefed you on. I will not speculate on future plans
on the Pankisi. Again, as I briefed you, this is a Train and Equip Program,
and our program will be conducted here in the capital and at the training
sites that I showed you on the slides.
Q: (Rustavi 2 /Georgia's most popular TV) When we started to talk about
this program, it was determined that the Georgian side would take care
of the quality of life requirements and other issues that Georgia takes
responsibility of. How well did Georgia handle its responsibilities: have
the contracts been signed, recruitments made, arrangements made for the
future remuneration of Georgian trained personnel?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) First of all, as I stated earlier, the Ministry of
Defense has been extremely forthcoming. We just held an interagency logistics
support team meeting in this building today. A number of agencies here
in Georgia are trying to assist us and that's a great thing because we
encourage that partnership. So, to answer your question right now, we
are getting a lot of support from the Georgians.
Q: (AkhaliVersia/Georgian independent weekly) Prior to your arrival,
the information was that you will train five battalions and one company.
Does the Border Guard unit/element still remain as a part of your program
to be trained? You talked about facilities, their preparedness, good condition,
what would you say about the units' combat capabilities?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) First we originally assessed and developed train
and equipment requirements for four battalions and what we call a mechanized
company team. So, that's four battalions and one company-level unit. We
are involved in evaluating the Border Guards to also include them in further
tactical training in phase three. We looked at some of these units in
October-November and we are going back out this week to look at the facilities.
In terms of their capabilities, in the United States we say 'you can't
buy enthusiasm' and the units we looked at have enthusiasm in abundance
and that means we are going to have a great training program.
Q: (Kviris Palitra/Georgian independent weekly) The third phase of the
program envisions preparing and training cruiser weapons and their crew
including anti-tank guided missile operators. Keeping in mind that there
are very few guided weapons like this in Georgia, does that mean the United
States will provide us with cruiser weapons of some kind? If so, how does
this compete with the earlier statement that only small arms will be provided
to Georgia?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) First of all, I have to take a look at what the
final purchase requirements are for those weapons. I am familiar with
the small arms requirement and I would have to check your information
on the wire guided missiles.
Q: (Channel 9/ Georgian independent TV) In continuation of the previous
question, I am interested in the 'equip' part of the program. What kind
of combat weapons is Georgia going to get as assistance? And there is
an agreement between Russia and the West that the US is not allowed to
assist other countries with combat weapons?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) I know that we evaluated a requirement for assault
rifles, light machine guns, heavy machine guns and mortars, and those
requirements are consistent with the program of instruction you saw here
for the light infantry. It is my understanding that we will bring in or
facilitate bringing in small arms to include hand grenades and appropriate
ammunition. But I want to make one thing absolutely clear, if you saw
my comment on property accountability, we will make sure that every weapon
and ammunition is accurately accounted for coming into this program, and
we will insure the appropriate discipline and accountability throughout
the program with regard to monitoring those weapons and ammunitions.
Q: (Media News/Georgian News Agency) The budget of the program is around
$60 million. Does this money include all the equipment, instructors' pay,
training… all the expenses? Will these resources be enough to purchase
all this equipment alongside with everything else it is supposed to be
spent for?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) Based on the assessment in October -November and
based on our estimates to bring the Georgian Forces on line with the program
of instruction, that money is coming from several different sources and
it is dedicated to staff training, tactical training and the equipment
of the battalions and companies we talked about. Now are you asking if
it pays for my salary? Or instructors? It does not involve pay, it's strictly
train and equip funds and infrastructure improvements to make a quality
and cost-effective program. That includes some quality of life improvements
for barracks, uniforms, boots, field gear, rucksacks, those kinds of things
… and small arms.
Q: (Channel 1/Georgian State TV) Concerning mountain trainings. Where
exactly will the mountain trainings take place? In Kodori? Close to the
Georgian-Russian border area?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) Obviously, it is going to take place in the mountains.
However, we would certainly have to be wise in terms of where we choose
a location. We will probably take a location that suits everyone's needs
and avoid any impression of being overtly offensive.
Q: (Kviris Palitra) Question to Colonel Nikolesihvili. The National Command
Center will be created at the General Staff to operate in crisis situations.
Does this program envision all the special equipment delivery and installation
for the National Command Center?
A: (Col. Nikoleishvili) Yes, it is a part of the program, and the National
Command Center will be fully equipped as the Land Forces Command by modern
American standards.
Q: (Associated Press/local stringer) How many instructors will arrive
in Georgia to participate in the Train and Equip Program?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) At any one time we will not have more than 150 here
in the country and that includes all the support personnel and technicians.
The Special Forces number will be significantly lower within that one
hundred and fifty.
Q: (Reuters/Caucasus Bureau) How close is it to reality that part of
the instructors will live in barracks together with Georgian soldiers
during the training?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) We are not certain at this point. What's important
is that we find a place to live that allows us to start training as soon
as we can. That's really the goal - to stay on the schedule.
Q: (Helsingin Sanomat/Finnish daily} You will leave when the program
is over. What happens next?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) When we finish all the battalions that we are required
to do -- at the end of each phase -- we will provide an assessment to
European Command. The recommendations on continuation and, because of
the investment that this represents, we obviously want to leave in place
a sustained training program for the Georgians. In fact, when you look
at the program of instruction here, you will see that we are going to
train the Georgians and help them to create one of those training plans.
Special Forces trainers routinely create long-term training plans. So
we want to do our best to ensure continuity and if we can leave the information
behind for the next phase in the future that would be the best way to
go.
Q: (Media News) This program is within the framework of an anti-terrorist
program and the State Security Ministry here conducts anti-terrorist operations.
Why was MOD selected as the main body to be trained as part of this program?
And will State Security Ministry units participate in this training?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) First, our program was based on an evaluation and
discussion between European Command and Georgian representatives several
months ago, and as you saw, the principles that guide our program include
interagency cooperation. Although MOD is the lead agency, we welcome interagency
participation in staff training as well as tactical training. [Q:So the
State Security Ministry will participate?] As far as I understand, at
a lower level than the Ministry of Defense, but yes, that opportunity
currently exists.
Q: (Rustavi 2) Train and Equip also envisions a 'train the trainer' part.
How many trainers will be trained and for what kind of forces? Or will
all trained participants be trained trainers at the end?
A: (Col. Waltemeyer) Let me answer the second question first. Train the
trainer implies that everyone that we train is a future trainer. The actual
mechanics of that works like this: before I teach, I teach my counterpart
and then my counterpart and I both teach together the training audience.
In that way we've trained a trainer and we've left a legacy behind of
information and training. Now the first question, in terms of the number
of trainers we are envisioning for the staff training piece between 100
and 200 total staff trainers and that includes interagency participation,
and then we move to the next phase of tactical training. We anticipate
probably 1600 more to be trained, and if you count mechanic company team,
that brings it up to total 2000 trainers trained.
MJ: Sir, any closing remark?
Col. Waltemeyer: My first closing remark is: Quiet please. I welcome
your participation throughout the program. We'll work closely with Public
Affairs to bring you out as frequently as possible, because it is important
that we share this message and this information…
|
