US Sec of Def Gates meets Georgian Def Minister Kezerashvili

(9 Oct 2008)
1. Wide of hotel where meeting takes place
2. Policeman standing, police cars passing by
3. US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates and Georgian Defence Minister David Kezerashvili walking to podium
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Robert Gates, US Secretary of Defence:
"We have sought a constructive relationship with Russia, but unfortunately their behaviour has undermined security in the region and raised real concerns about their intentions. Russia's invasion of Georgia in my view has achieved and will achieve no strategic objectives. I am pleased that Russia appears to be fulfilling its obligations under the ceasefire to withdrawal in compliance with tomorrow's deadline."
5. Cutaway cameramen
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Robert Gates, US Secretary of Defence:
"I think we all recognise that there are significant challenges in Afghanistan and we need a better coordinated effort between the civilian economic development and reconstruction efforts and the security efforts. We need to have the Afghans in the lead. There's I think broad support for expanding the Afghan army and doing that as quickly as possible."
7. Wide of Gates and Kezerashvili
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) David Kezerashvili, Georgian Defence Minister:
"As you all know, the United States of America is our strategic partner and largest assistance provider, with whom we share not only common values but also common understanding of many issues, being energy security, democratic and NATO enlargement or fight against terrorism."
9. Wide of Gates and Kezerashvili leaving
STORYLINE:
US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates met on Thursday with Georgian Defence Minister David Kezerashvili for bilateral talks in Budapest, on the sidelines of an informal NATO defence ministers' meeting that began earlier in the day in the Hungarian capital.
Their short meeting addressed bilateral relations and the strategic partnership between the two countries and NATO's support for Georgia's accession to the treaty organisation.
Gates addressed the US concerns about Russia's presence in Georgia although he was optimistic that Russian troops would withdraw before Friday's deadline.
In a brief question and answer session after their meeting, he also addressed NATO concerns about the challenges in Afghanistan, saying that Afghans and the Afghan army need to be in the lead.
He also said that despite challenges in Afghanistan, there is still broad support within NATO for going forward.
The United States pushed NATO allies on Thursday to order their troops to target Afghanistan's heroin trade to stem the flow of drug money to the widening insurgency against the international military mission.
Surging violence has cast doubt on whether Western forces can win the war against the Taliban.
NATO's top commander believes cutting the estimated 100 million US dollars (72.83 million euros) -a-year the Taliban and their al-Qaida allies receive from Afghanistan's heroin industry is one way to hit back.

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