U.S. Ambassador dedicates radar station at Gonio

On March 1, 2010, Ambassador John Bass dedicated the new radar station at Gonio and handed it over to the Georgian Coast Guard to enhance Georgia’s capability to control its coastline and prevent, deter and detect contraband smuggling. Head of the Georgian Border Police General Zaza Gogava and other Georgian officials also participated in the ceremony.

The newly constructed radar station at Gonio cost approximately $502,000 and was funded by the United States Government through the Georgia Border Security and Law Enforcement (GBSLE) programme. It is the last of four radar station projects funded through the GBSLE, the other three being at Anaklia in Samegrelo-Zemosvaneti, Supsa in Guria and Chakvi in Adjara. These are already operational. These radar stations are important for the overall security of Georgia.

The new radar station is the latest in a long list of goods, services, and tasks that the United States Government has donated to the Georgian Government through the Georgia Border Security and Law Enforcement programme. It was built by Lindsay, a Georgian contractor, under the supervision and oversight of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project began in 2008 and was completed in 2009.

Over the past ten years Georgia Border Security and Law Enforcement has donated over $150,000,000.00 worth of goods and services to Georgian Law Enforcement organisations.