On the 27th of August the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili came to Gonio together with American senators, where he awarded senator John McCane with the Order of Saint George. It is necessary to emphasize that Mikheil Saakshvili awarded the President of the United States George Bush with similar Order. 
The President of Georgia also visited Batumi. Attraction Ferris wheel, situated in the newly inaugurated Batumi Park, entertained the President of Georgia and American senators. 

Today Mikheil Saakshvili took the guests to Ushguli, where the President of the country performed a symbolic Svanian dance together with senator McCane and other senators. One of the inhabitants of Ushguli presented a model of Svanian tower to senator McCane. 

After having visited Ushguli, the President of Georgia and American guests visited the Senaki battalion. Mikheil Saakashvili and Senator McCane addressed Georgian soldiers a speech. 

In the statement Mikheil Saakashvili accentuated the attention on support of Americans to the Georgian army. In particular, he stated: The United States of America does the best for Georgia to have modern armed forces. The school, which is being implanted by Americans will last over generations as it is the most contemporary military school. This school will protect our democracy, our country governed by people, not by authoritarian governors. 

Mikheil Saakashvili also recalled the military past of senator McCane and called the soldiers to the similar heroism. 

Today our friend McCane is with us, who is not only one of the most known senators, but also one of the most heroic military men. He is a military pilot, who miraculously survived at explosion of an aircraft during the Vietnam War. He was in Vietnam prison for several years, but despite of torments and tortures, he did not deviated from his principles, did not give away his friends, and gained moral victory over enemies at release.

Georgia expects just the same heroism from you, as you are heirs of Nine Brothers Kherkheulidze who won a victory over annemy in Didgori battle; you are their descendants, who will never be defeated. We have already realized well what it means to have your own country, to have strong friends and strong armed forces. 

John McCane, on behalf of the government of the United States of America and its people, on behalf of himself, gratified Georgian military men in Iraq for the rendered assistance and support. The day will come, when the people of Iraq realize the value of liberty and democracy and it will be your merit. The day will come, when the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia realize, what means life in free and democratic country, - the senator stated and tendered thanks to the Georgian people on behalf of the President of Georgia, the Senate and the American people as to the best friends of the United States. 

The President of Georgia congratulated Senator McCane with jubilee and presented a Georgian saber as a symbol of friendship, power and unity. 

Communications Office
of the President of Georgia