US troops land in Georgia to begin anti-terror programme

US troops have launched operations in the former Soviet republic of Georgia to train local forces in anti-terrorism tactics.

Its the latest step in the American worldwide campaign against terror.

Eighteen Americans arrived overnight in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, the first part of a deployment of 150 special operations forces, Georgian officials said.

The rest of the troops are scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks, and training operations are due to get underway in May.

The training program is similar to US anti-terrorist training for forces in the Philippines.

US officials fear Muslim fighters holed up in Georgia's Pankisi Gorge on the border of Chechnya, could be linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist network.

"We are initial representatives for the initial setup operation," said Lt. Col. Doug Baker, who was among the troops who arrived overnight and spent their first day in meetings at the US Embassy.

The US troops are to be based in the capital Tbilisi and will hold meetings with Georgian Defence Ministry officials over the next week to set up the training program.

The United States also will give the Georgian military guns, ammunition, communications gear, medical equipment, fuel and construction equipment.

Georgia had requested help from the United States in battling the insurgents, angering many Russian officials who feared another US deployment into a former Soviet republic.