TBILISI (AFP) — A top US general said Thursday he expected the United States to help rebuild Georgia's devastated military that was routed by Russia two weeks ago.
President Mikheil Saakashvili appealed for training and equipment and said Georgia would work closely with Washington to "get all of this" after meeting with General John Craddock.
"We will have to help them rebuild because they are a partner in the war on terror," Craddock, the top US military commander in Europe who is also NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, told reporters.
"They are going to ask us, I'm sure, to replace and rebuild," said Craddock after he arrived in Tbilisi.
"I think that is probably what will happen," he added. He emphasised that he would not be making the decision, only recommendations.
Before the conflict with Russia, the United States was providing military training to Georgia, which contributed troops to Iraq, and has been a strong supporter of Georgia's bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
"We need to rebuild the military," Saakashvili said, who said his forces were in need of training and equipment.
"We will work very closely with the US to get all of this," he said.
Georgia's army was routed by Russian troops who moved deep into Georgian territory in response to Tbilisi's offensive on separatists in the breakaway region of South Ossetia on August 7.
Russia has pledged to pull back from Georgia under a six-point agreement brokered by France that also called for the stand-down of Georgian forces. Russian troops remained deep in Georgian territory on Thursday.
"I think they should honour their commitments," said Craddock in reference to the Russian pull-out. "The sooner the better. It's overdue already."
He said that he had not discussed specifics about Georgian military needs.
The West has complained the Russian pullback is too slow while Russia and Georgia have traded accusations of failing to comply with the ceasefire terms.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has promised nearly all troops will have retreated by the end of Friday, although many will stay behind as peacekeepers in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another breakaway region.
But when asked if he thought Russian troops could resume their former role as peacekeeping troops, Craddock said: "I think it will be very difficult for them to be viewed as what they consider to be peacekeepers."
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