Chief of General Staff retains his post
By Tatia Megeneishvili
Tuesday, November 11
The Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) Vakhtang Kapanadze stated that he is not going to resign. Moreover, he stressed that he intends to maintain close collaboration with the newly appointed Minister of Defense Mindia Janelidze. Kapanadze returned to Georgia from Washington on November 10.
“The right to appoint or fire me belongs to the supreme commander-in-chief of the country, which is President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili,” said Kapanadze, adding that they have many plans. “We have a lot to do. I’ve returned from the United States with very good results. Our bilateral cooperation has been intensified. I am going to not only cooperate with the new Defense Minister, but cooperate productively. We all should cooperate fruitfully for the benefit of our country,” stated Kapanadze.
During the developments between the Defense Ministry and the Chief Prosecutor’s Office, he emphasized that the army would not be involved in the process. “The GAF must be separate from politics and their only policy must be to ensure Georgia’s security,” stated Kapanadze.
While Kapanadze was away, heads of several departments of the Defense Ministry were detained by the Chief Prosecutor’s office. This was followed by the eventual dismissal of former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania and the appointment of Janelidze by Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili.
Kapanadze was appointed on the position after the Georgian Dream coalition took office. Aside the huge experience in the defense field, Kapanadze is an academician of the Engineering Academy, member of the sub-commission of the Georgian Academy of Science, honorary member of Hall of Fame at U.S. Army War College, BG Vakhtang Kapanadze has more than 10 scientific publications on military affairs and geography. He is also the editor-in-chief of two military-historical works.
