After more than seven years work on comprehensive reform of Georgia's national security sector, the International Security Advisory Board (ISAB) delivered its annual Final Report to President Mikheil Saakashvili last week and briefed the Parliament, Minister of Defence Mr. Irakli Okruashvili and other high level officials. ISAB Chairman General Sir Garry Johnson (UK), Major General Franz Werner (Germany) and Ambassador David Smith (USA) also presented the Report to the Georgian Security Forum, a major conference on broader security issues that brought high-level officials and experts from more than twenty countries of the Euro-Atlantic space to Tbilisi. The Report outlines how much Georgia has achieved in reforming its security and defence sector, particularly since the Rose Revolution.

Just several excerpts from the Report:

- The role of Parliament in the democratic oversight of the security sector has been strengthened. In December 2004 the Law on Defence of Georgia defined the roles of the President, the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence. A civilian Minister of Defence now leads a civilian MOD, separate from the General Staff. A Law on Military Service, which defines the obligations of citizens, regulates contract service and sets up a military police, has passed its first reading in Parliament. A military discipline code, drafted with the involvement of military commanders, NGOs and external advice, is awaiting Presidential signature and promulgation. MOD legal department intends shortly to begin drafting legislation preparing the way for an all professional force and for a Status of Forces agreement with NATO.

- Major steps have been taken to modernise the defence sector. The importance of IPAP as a driving influence for reform is recognized. A National Military Strategy has been published. A Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is nearing completion, guided by a Coordinating Commission. The MoD has stated that this will be an open publication. As part of this process, force structures are being developed based on a realistic assessment of strategy requirements, threat and risk analyses, and sustainability factors. The General Staff has begun to be restructured along NATO lines. A land forces operational headquarters is planned for inauguration in the near future, backed by an associated staff training programme. Officer education has been strengthened by the introduction of a revised, shorter syllabus at the Defence Academy, where an improved language training facility is in operation. NCO rank has been introduced and an NCO School is functioning. A structured training system is in the early stages of elucidation. New equipment has been brought into service increasing operational capability. Georgian troops have gained valuable experience by contributing to international security commitments in Kosovo, Iraq and Afganistan.

Much remains to be done in order to fully implement and embed these welcome developments. The MoD is aware of the importance of strengthening its performance in management areas such as budgetary and personnel management, equipment procurement and the smooth handling of bilateral assistance programmes. A draft law on Defence Planning, which sets out procedures for a three year financial and budgetary planning cycle, is in the inter-agency consultation phase. ISAB positively notes the recent agreement to bring external advice and expertise into the MoD to assist implementation of a multi-year planning and budgetary system. There is still a need to push through organizational changes necessary to form a joint staff and a joint operational headquarters, and to rationalize inter-service duplication in year and maritime areas. We expect the SDR to setout how these measures will be achieved.