US Edition Following President Obama’s compelling speech on our common mission in Afghanistan, NATO members and other countries pledged about 7,000 additional troops for this critical effort. My country, Georgia, committed just under 1,000 of that total. As Secretary of State Clinton observed, this likely makes Georgia the highest per-capita troop contributor to NATO’s operation in Afghanistan.
This is not easy for our small nation, with its population of just 4.7 million. Our economy, like those of other countries, has been buffeted by the global economic downturn. Unlike most countries, we are struggling with a recent invasion that ethnically cleansed tens of thousands of Georgian citizens and an illegal occupation of 20% of Georgia’s sovereign territory.
Perhaps some might be astonished that a country not yet in NATO—and partly occupied by more than 10,000 hostile troops—would make such a deep commitment to an Allied mission abroad. Let me explain why, on the contrary, it makes perfect sense.
As President Obama pointed out, the threat of violent extremism endangers all nations that subscribe to the principles of liberal democracy, tolerance, gender equality, and rule of law. Those principles made America the target on 9/11. Spain was hit on March 11, 2004, and Britain on July 7, 2005. Any of our countries could be next. So we have a shared interest in preventing Afghanistan from again becoming a safe haven for extremists and terrorists who might target any of our states.
Even though Georgia is not yet a NATO member—and while we know our path to membership may be long—we see ourselves as firmly allied in purpose and values with the U.S. and the transatlantic community. But this cannot just be rhetoric or an empty affiliation. Being part of such a community, even as a small country, we feel obliged and honored to contribute to our common security.
That is why we are sending serious forces—a heavy battalion and two light companies—and we are committing them with no restrictions on the kinds of missions and combat in which they can participate. Indeed, almost 800 will be deploying with the U.S. Marines into Helmand Province, where some of the most intense fighting has occurred.
Afghanistan and its region are now the central battle for the transatlantic community, and we will do everything possible to help. In addition to the nearly 1,000 troops we committed last week, we are making contributions in other ways.
For example, the U.S. and NATO have already started using Georgian ports, rail lines, and roads to transport non-lethal supplies to Afghanistan. American military experts have concluded this is a safe, reliable, and cost-saving transit route, and we stand ready to expand its use—particularly as the US and NATO work to speed the arrival of new troops and equipment.
As President Obama so eloquently expressed, the fight against extremism and terrorism cannot be won by military means alone; education, democratization, and institution building are equally, if not more important. Here, too, Georgians have something to contribute, given our recent experience in democracy building.
Less than a decade ago, Georgia was considered by many to be a failing state. But with the support of our friends in the West, and driven by our shared values, we were able to make dramatic changes. As a young democracy, we continue working to open our politics, judiciary, media, and other major institutions. We now include the opposition in meetings of our national security council. We have given opposition- controlled media stations nationwide broadcast licenses. In May, we will hold our first direct elections for mayor in our capital, Tbilisi, after multiple rounds of dialogue with the opposition that bolstered confidence in the electoral process. And we continue to make dramatic gains against corruption and toward an open business environment.
Over the past five years, Georgia was the most successful country in the world in terms of fighting corruption, according to Transparency International, and Europe’s top economic reformer, according to the World Bank.
Our experience gives us confidence that success is possible on the political and civil fronts in Afghanistan, and Georgia will do everything possible to help strength Afghanistan’s institutions. Six years ago, less than 10% of Georgian citizens trusted the police; today, more than 70% do. Our reform know-how could help in training Afghanistan’s police forces and other civil servants, an effort that is crucial to achieving long-term stability and a more transparent government.
The test of the bonds among nations is not what we do when it is easy, but rather what we do when it is necessary and hard. Georgia has been grateful for the extent to which the United States and Europe have stood alongside us over recent years.
Now we are proud to stand - and fight - alongside you.