'Inspired' by Israel, Georgia's FM seeks closer strategic ties - Haaretz

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'Inspired' by Israel, Georgia's FM seeks closer strategic ties

By Yossi Melman

"We are interested in a strategic partnership with Israel at the same level as our strategic partnership with the United States," Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili of Georgia told Haaretz yesterday.

Bezhuashvili, who in the past served as his country's defense minister, would not elaborate on what he means by "strategic cooperation." However the phrase is understood as a code for arms and other security-related purchases, such as upgrading of planes, tanks, artillery, and border monitoring equipment.

Such cooperation existed without fanfare until the beginning of 2005, and included a deal with Elbit defense electronics to upgrade 25 of Georgia's MIG fighter jets, communications equipment, and brief military advisors. But under pressure from Russia, Israel has since limited itself to selling Georgia only defensive weapons.

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Bezhuashvili, 40, studied law at the University of Kiev and in Texas, and furthered his education at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. As Georgia's foreign minister for the past two years, he guiding a pro-Western foreign policy toward European Union and NATO membership.

Troubling ties

But troubled relations with Russia are casting a pall over these efforts. Since Georgia declared its independence in 1991, Russia has supported two separatist groups in Georgia, from the regions of Avkhazia and South Ossetia. Numerous flare-ups between the Georgian army and the separatists have occured, in which the casualties occasionally include Russian officers.

"Since 2001, we are part of the struggle against global terrorism," Bezhuashvili said. "Our soldiers are in Iraq, the Balkans and Afghanistan, and we don't harbor terrorists. However to my regret, relations with Russia are deteriorating."

According to Bezhuashvili, Russia wants relations with Georgia to be those of "client-patron."

Russia has also raised the cost of gas and oil to Georgia, and has banned the import of wine and mineral water from Georgia.

To improve its economic situation, Georgia wants to encourage Israeli investments to raise the trade balance beyond its present rate, which according to Georgia's ambassador to Israel, Lasha Zhvania, is an unsatisfactory $20 million annually.

"We admire the spirit and commitment of the people of Israel to their country," Bezhuashvili said. "We are inspired by it." During his visit, Bezhuashvili met with President Shimon Peres and Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, and will meet today with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

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