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2 Israeli firms say they left Georgia before fighting By Amos Harel Two Israeli security companies, Defensive Shield and Global CST, announced yesterday that they had completed their projects in Georgia before fighting between that country and Russia broke out on Friday. The two are among several Israeli companies advising Georgia on security matters, training its army and occasionally supplying it with weapons. Defensive Shield, owned by Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch, said all its employees, including its subcontractors, are no longer in Georgia. It said it completed the work it had been contracted to do, and that all its contracts with Georgia had been approved by Israel's Defense Ministry. Security systems services company Global CST, managed by Maj. Gen. (res.) Israel Ziv, said it finished its work in Georgia at the end of July. Advertisement Russia expanded its bombing blitz against neighboring Georgia yesterday, targeting the country's capital for the first time, while Georgian troops pulled out of the breakaway province of South Ossetia, as Russia demanded, the Associated Press reported. Georgia launched a major offensive to regain control over South Ossetia overnight Friday, and some 1,500 people have reportedly been killed there since then, with the death toll rising. South Ossetia split from Georgia in the early 1990s and has since built up ties with Moscow. A retired senior Israeli officer who recently trained troops in Georgia said yesterday he was surprised that the Georgians faced off against Russia, since they have a much smaller army. "They got into an adventure that I wouldn't have chosen to get into, based on the level of professionalism I saw in my visits to the Georgian army," the officer said. "Who knows where this will end." "This is an army that was in the process of disintegrating over 15 or 16 years," the officer added. "This process required reconstruction, and that's where the Israelis entered the picture, along with companies from other countries. But everything was very, very basic. We dealt mainly with basic training for the units. It will take a long time until the military forces there will advance to a high professional level. The Georgian army cannot under any circumstances be a serious rival to the Russians at present." The officer also stressed the difference in military might: "Georgia is a small country, with barely 4.5 million people," he said. "They have a small army - to be honest, not much different from that of a Third World country." The Georgians began reorganizing their army in 2002, with American assistance. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the Georgian army has primarily been comprised of remnants of Red Army units. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Basic training IDF soldiers who taught Georgian troops keep an eye on the recent conflict. Boot camp 200 Palestinian teens graduate from Hamas summer school, prepare for battle with Israel.

Read & React PA negotiator: Israel may make two-state solution impossible Responses: 332 Barak questions if Livni would be 'wise' choice for premiership Responses: 96 IDF vets who trained Georgia troops: War with Russia is no surprise Responses: 64 VIDEO / Young Hamas campers now ready for battle with Israel Responses: 52 IOC: Iran swimmer who quit race with Israeli competitor broke no rules Responses: 58 More Headlines 00:58 Georgia President says Russia cut country in half 21:35 Israel to shut Gaza border crossings following Qassam strike 09:07 PA negotiator: Israel may make two-state solution impossible 21:39 Israel weighs proposal for new West Bank settlement near Jerusalem 20:05 IDF vets who trained Georgia troops say war with Russia is no surprise 00:53 Olympics / After his father's death, swimmer Alon Mandel sets new Israeli record 22:34 Kosher slaughterhouse worker abuse case fuels ethical kashrut movement 08:14 Haaretz newsletter: All the news from Israel direct to your inbox 23:26 Knesset to approve higher stipends for Holocaust survivors 20:40 Arkia cancels flight meant to carry Israelis out of Georgia 20:42 Egypt's ancient pyramids at Giza get makeover 20:11 Hamas summer school graduates now ready for battle with Israel 22:03 Hamas blames Egypt for deaths of 8 Palestinians in border tunnels 17:05 Tamir infuriates rightists by removing Jabotinsky from curriculum Previous Editions Select Day 11 aug 10 aug 08 aug 07 aug 06 aug 05 aug 04 aug 03 aug 01 aug 31 jul 30 jul 29 jul

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