PRESS RELEASE

May 8, 2003

Georgia Train and Equip Program Graduation ceremony marks end of Phase IIIB tactical training phase

Tbilisi - The Georgia Train and Equip Program (GTEP) ends its third training phase with a joint Georgian-American ceremony at 12 noon on Saturday, May 10, 2003. The ceremony for the 16th Mountain Battalion training phase will be held at the Republic Square. Ambassador of the United States to Georgia, Richard Miles, and the Georgian Minister of Defense, David Tevzadze, will speak at the ceremony.

Prior to the ceremony, media are invited to interview the American GTEP commanding officer and Georgian military leaders.

To register and for more information, media should contact the Press Office of the Ministry of Defense.