| Fact Sheet Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Washington, DC February 17, 2004 U.S. Assistance to Georgia - Fiscal Year 2003U.S. programs in Georgia in FY03 emphasized democratic reform, especially in preparation for to the parliamentary elections in November. Security assistance for the Georgia Train and Equip program saw the graduation of three battalions who are now more interoperable and capable of fighting terrorist threats within Georgia. In Fiscal Year 2003, the $110.4 million budgeted by all U.S. Government agencies for assistance programs in Georgia is allocated roughly as follows:
Democracy programs in Georgia aim to improve the electoral process, strengthen local governance, and support civil society, the rule of law and independent media. U.S. assistance helps legal institutions to enact and implement better laws and regulations in a transparent manner; foster citizen awareness and action to enhance government accountability and reduce corruption; promote cooperation between local officials and the citizenry to improve accountability; and advance the devolution of fiscal and budgetary authority to the local level. Support continues to Georgian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help them achieve financial sustainability, establish solid constituencies, and develop effective techniques to lobby on behalf of citizen interests. An innovative program trains media outlets to improve journalistic techniques, management, and financial sustainability. This year, special emphasis is being placed on electoral assistance to support free and fair parliamentary elections through voter education programs, election officials training, political party training, domestic monitoring, and implementation of a computerized voter registration system. Small grant-making programs administered by the Eurasia Foundation and by the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi support the work of indigenous NGOs to foster civil society, local government accountability, independent media, and other initiatives to promote democracy in Georgia. Training and exchange programs give the next generation of Georgian leaders first-hand experience with the day-to-day functioning of a market-based, democratic system. Since 1993, the U.S. has funded the travel of over 3,700 Georgian citizens to the United States on these programs in fields such as management, social service provision, and NGO development. Special institutional support programs for the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies and the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs help to create indigenous capacity to produce the next generation of government and civil society leaders. Support continues for the American Academy in Tbilisi, which serves as a model institution for curriculum reform. Access to information is promoted through programs like the Internet Access and Training program, which supports 11 public access facilities in 8 cities in Georgia. U.S.-funded market reform programs in Georgia improve the environment for business development and private investment through land privatization, banking supervision, policy reform, provision of business services, access to credit for small and medium sized enterprises, and regulatory reform. We are providing technical assistance to the government's electricity distribution company, as well as helping them improve collections, with an aim toward putting the energy companies on a solid commercial footing. A U.S. Trade and Development Agency grant provides technical assistance to the Georgian International Oil Corporation for environmental and technical support in its negotiations with the consortia that are developing the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and South Caspian gas pipelines. Our programs continue to support the development of market-driven production and the processing capability for Georgian agricultural producers and processors. U.S. Department of Agriculture began a marketing assistance program in Georgia to further assist Georgian farmers in the agriculture sector. In FY 2003, the United States security and law enforcement programs are seeking to improve Georgia's ability to monitor and combat terrorism, prevent the flow of weapons, narcotics and other contraband across the borders, transition former weapons scientists to peaceful research activities, and pursue military reform. The Foreign Military Financing Program provides the Georgian military with defense articles, services and training. FMF also promotes Georgian's participation in NATO's Partnership for Peace program (PfP). The International Military Education and Training program helps Georgian soldiers to develop the English-language and professional military skills necessary to augment Georgia’s PfP participation and its interoperability with NATO and other international peacekeeping missions. Georgia is eligible in FY 2003 to receive Excess Defense Articles that will assist it in meeting defense requirements and enact defense reforms. The Georgia Border Security and Law Enforcement Assistance Program provides equipment, logistical and infrastructure support, and training to help Georgia’s Border Guards maintain an active border presence, particularly along the Georgian-Russian border. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides technical assistance, training and equipment to enhance Georgia's capability to deter, detect, interdict, and prevent the spread of dual-use equipment and technology. The U.S.-initiated Train and Equip program is continuing in FY 2003, when two more battalions will complete their training. U.S. law enforcement programs in Georgia focus on police reform, improvement in law enforcement capabilities, and support for strong money laundering and other anti-crime legislation. The U.S. supports development of modern forensics techniques and establishment of a modern forensics laboratory by providing training and equipment. We are working to improve training at law enforcement academies and to advance research on the extent of crime and corruption in Georgia. A U.S. Department of Justice legal advisor in Tbilisi is helping to reform of the procuracy, support government and parliamentary efforts to combat corruption, and advise on criminal law reform. U.S. advisors are also assisting in drafting money-laundering legislation. Anti-trafficking programs, including assistance in prevention and prosecution, are helping to raise the profile of this issue and reduce the occurrence of trafficking in persons. The Department of State humanitarian transport program ships and distributes commodities to the most needy individuals, families, and institutions. The shipments include medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, school equipment and supplies, clothing, and food. The U.S. funds the operation and support of three medical outpatient clinics in Tbilisi, Tsalka, and Tsikhisjvari. We also support a national program for child immunization, primary health care, and active prevention of HIV, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted infections. Hospital partnerships bring U.S. and Georgian health professionals together to collaborate on nursing education, health management systems, infection control, and safe blood. Over 500 community projects in FY 2003 are supported through community development programs in areas such as education, health, irrigation, drinking water and roads. We provide educational programs for over 7,000 youth affected by ethnic conflict within Georgia. The total value of all Department of State humanitarian commodities provided in FY 2003 exceeds $15 million. Additionally, the U.S. Agency for International Development implements a Title II, Food for Progress program in Georgia, which will distribute 5,000 metric tons of flour in FY 2003 to orphanages, the elderly, and in food-for-work programs. Through a $11 million Title I-funded Food for Progress grant, USDA will provide the Government of Georgia with 50,000 metric tons of wheat. Humanitarian demining efforts continue in and around the Abkhazia region of Georgia. In Georgia, Peace Corps has 44 volunteers working in English teaching at the secondary and university level, concentrating on teaching methodology. |
 | |||
|
