Georgia's Ministry of Defense and US Embassy Deny Media Reports of US Proposal for Military Base in Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, September 14, 2023
On September 12, 'Mtavari Channel' reported that during his visit to Tbilisi in 2021, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated, "The US expressed its readiness to open a full-fledged military base in Georgia." According to 'Mtavari Channel,' the government refused this offer.
In response, both the Ministry of Defense of Georgia and the US Embassy have issued statements refuting the claims and denying the accuracy of these reports, asserting that no such proposal has been made by the United States.
"The Ministry of Defense is responding to information published in the media regarding US-Georgia military-political relations, which is completely false. This information has been spread by a politically biased individual and subsequently utilized by certain media outlets and politically engaged individuals to launch a disinformation campaign.
The statement further emphasized, 'We urge the public to rely on verified information, especially when discussing such an important topic."
The US Embassy in Georgia also issued a statement confirming that the United States has not proposed the creation of an American military base in Georgia.
"The U.S.-Georgia defense relationship has been and continues to be based on enhancing interoperability and supporting Georgia's ability to deter further aggression and defend its sovereign territory, all of which helps Georgia become more prepared for NATO membership. To clarify the record in response to recent media reporting, the United States has not offered to establish a U.S. military base in Georgia," The US Embassy's statement reads.
