It’s been a long ordeal for Lisa and Mark Lebowitz. The Gansevoort couple enlisted in the Peace Corps and was assigned to Georgia at the time of the country’s conflict with Russia. They watched the young democracy, which they struggled to help build over the last year, crumble under the weight of the recent military conflict. And now the fighting will likely force them to return to the United States. "Unfortunately, the situation in Georgia appears to be getting worse, rather than better, and at a meeting today with our country director, we were told that it will likely be ‘some time’ before we will be able to return to Georgia," the Lebowitzes wrote in an e-mail sent to family and friends on Wednesday. There was no indication in the letter when they would return to the U.S., but they indicated they were optimistic the situation in the former Soviet republic would be resolved soon. "We are hopeful that things will stabilize quickly and that we will be able to return soon to complete our service," they wrote. The couple had been in the country for 15 months prior to last week’s conflict. So far, officials at the organization say volunteers aren’t being told to head home. "At this point we are monitoring the situation and assessing our next step," said Amanda Beck, press director for the Peace Corps. "So we haven’t made any decision at this point, but of course, the volunteers will be the first to know."
Conflict in Georgia may force Peace Corps Volunteers to return to US
Conflict in Georgia may force local Peace Corps workers to return to U.S.
By NICK REISMAN
reisman@poststar.com
Updated: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 8:09 PM EDT
It’s been a long ordeal for Lisa and Mark Lebowitz.
The Gansevoort couple enlisted in the Peace Corps and was assigned to Georgia at the time of the country’s conflict with Russia.
They watched the young democracy, which they struggled to help build over the last year, crumble under the weight of the recent military conflict.
And now the fighting will likely force them to return to the United States.
"Unfortunately, the situation in Georgia appears to be getting worse, rather than better, and at a meeting today with our country director, we were told that it will likely be ‘some time’ before we will be able to return to Georgia," the Lebowitzes wrote in an e-mail sent to family and friends on Wednesday.
There was no indication in the letter when they would return to the U.S., but they indicated they were optimistic the situation in the former Soviet republic would be resolved soon.
"We are hopeful that things will stabilize quickly and that we will be able to return soon to complete our service," they wrote.
The couple had been in the country for 15 months prior to last week’s conflict.
So far, officials at the organization say volunteers aren’t being told to head home.
"At this point we are monitoring the situation and assessing our next step," said Amanda Beck, press director for the Peace Corps. "So we haven’t made any decision at this point, but of course, the volunteers will be the first to know."
Mark, a lawyer at Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes law firm in Glens Falls, is working in economic development. Lisa is volunteering as a teacher.
The couple reported earlier this week that they, along with 79 other Peace Corps volunteers, had been evacuated to Armenia, a country that borders Georgia to the south. It was a trip that took them 12 hours.
Russia expanded its military campaign earlier in the week past the breakaway province of South Ossetia and into the city of Gori, according to the Associated Press. A cease-fire had been declared on Tuesday, but the country remains occupied by Russian troops.
"The fighting has been particularly bad in Gori, where much of the city has been destroyed, and both Gori and Zugdidi are presently occupied by Russian troops," the Lebowitzes wrote.
It appeared their biggest regret was not having a chance to say goodbye to their host family.
The Lebowitzes wrote: "Both of our host families have fled their homes, including the 88-year-old Bebia (‘grandmother’) in Gori, who had not been out of the house in more than the past eight years since suffering a stroke. We have been unable to speak with any of our family members in more than the past week, and we are concerned for their safety."
