Georgia Says Russia’s Dates for Bases Hand-back Unrealistic

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, December 11, 2002) – Georgian and Russian officials negotiate in Tbilisi on the dates of withdrawal of the Russian soldiers from the military bases deployed in Georgia.

Russia demands 11 years for the pull out from the bases. “This date is unserious. We insist that the three years are absolutely enough for the withdrawal of the bases,” Irakli Menagharishvili, Georgian Foreign Minister told the reporters today.

In 1999, Russia agreed on a deal — brokered by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe — to hand back four bases in Georgia before July 2001: Vaziani, near Tbilisi, Akhalkalaki, southern Georgia, Batumi, Adjarian Autonomous Republic and Gudauta in breakaway Abkhazia. 

Only one base has been returned: an air base at Vaziani. Russia claims that it has already pulled out from Gudauta, but Georgia doubts concerning the statement.

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