Russia, Georgia Disagree on Soviet Arms

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 15, 2002) – Georgia and Russia have a disagreements cover debts concerning the former Soviet Union’s arms. Georgia wants to include the issue in the framework agreement on friendship and cooperation that is being drafted at the moment between the two countries.

Russian Foreign Ministry’s official representative Boris Malakhov told the reporters today that the Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Menagharishvili proposed to discuss the issue together with the framework agreement, while the Russian side has a deferent position concerning the issue.

Georgia claims that the Russian side withdrew all the military equipment from the Soviet military bases that where deployed in Georgia. Russia dismisses Georgia’s debt claims. Russian Defense Minister said on August 14 that the Georgia’s claims are ungrounded.