Press Release
Georgia, Armenian, and Azeri participants in the U.S. sponsored joint humanitarian demining training (Beecroft initiative) graduate with honors
November 1, 2000
Tbilisi - On Thursday, November 2nd at 10 a.m. Ambassador Robert M. Beecroft, Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz, Georgian Minister of Defense Davit Tevzadze, and representatives from Special Operations Command Europe will preside over graduation ceremonies of the U.S.-sponsored joint humanitarian demining training. The ceremony will be at the Sheraton Metechi Palace Hotel. The training is part of the "Beecroft Initiative," a multilateral program devised by Robert M. Beecroft who served in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
Under this Initiative, U.S. military personnel trained a select group of Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers at a military base in Georgia in modern humanitarian demining techniques. These soldiers will put their new skills to work in their respective countries, plus teach their fellow soldiers up-to-date humanitarian demining skills, thereby serving as force multipliers for peace.
Beginning with its efforts in 1988 to help the people of Afghanistan clear landmines laid during the Soviet occupation, the United States has been in the forefront of practical efforts to protect innocent civilians from the threat of landmines. Since 1993, the U.S. has spent over $400 million dollars worldwide in every aspect of mine elimination. By the end of October 2001, U.S. humanitarian demining assistance worldwide is expected to reach a total of approximately $500 million dollars.