Signing Ceremony for Amendment 10 to the U.S. - Georgia Letter of Agreement on Law Enforcement Cooperation (June 19, 2009)
On Friday June 19, Ambassador Tefft and First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Eka Zguladze will sign Amendment 10 to the U.S.-Georgia Letter of Agreement (LOA) on Law Enforcement Cooperation. As part of the United States comprehensive post-conflict assistance to Georgia, the Amendment to the LOA provides $20M to support police operations in the post-conflict environment. The package includes communications and IT infrastructure, and a train and equip program for civilian police to build professional skills, replace equipment lost or damaged, and off road patrol vehicles to meet the new security challenges in areas directly affected by the conflict.
The objectives of this assistance package are to provide for the safe return of residents displaced by the conflict, and ensure a secure environment for the resumption of farming and commercial activity and the provision of humanitarian assistance. Public safety and security is vital to Georgia's economic recovery, and the welfare of Georgian citizens rebuilding their lives in the post-conflict context.