(Tbilisi, December 16, 2002. Civil Georgia) – “I have stated for several times already, that Russia should pay, if not – it should go,” President Shevardnadze said today referring to the Russian military bases deployed in Georgia.
Georgian Parliament adopted a resolution demanding from Russia to pay rent for use of the former Soviet military bases in Georgia.
“Prolongation of term of Russian military presence in Georgia depends on several conditions. They [Russians] should pay for use of Georgian territory,” Shevardnadze said at the news briefing today.
According to the Georgian Finance Ministry the Russian military debt to Georgia consists USD 15 billion. The sum includes Georgian share from the former Soviet arms, which was pulled out from the country by the Russian forces.
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