Russia Says Georgian Parliament’s Resolution Against Bases ‘Counterproductive’

Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesman Viacheslav Sedov said on March 10 that the resolution against Russian military bases, recently approved by the Georgian Parliament, is “counterproductive” in solving the problem of withdrawal of the Russian bases from Georgia.

“Ultimatums can not solve this problem. This should be done at the negotiating table,” RIA Novosti news agency quoted Sedov as saying.

Interfax news agency also quoted an unnamed source in the Russian Defense Minister on March 10 describing the Georgian Parliament’s resolution as “counterproductive.”

“The Russian side plans to hand over proposals to Tbilisi aimed at resolving this problem,” the Russian Foreign Ministry source said, adding that “active preparations are underway for the bases’ pullout.”

Earlier on March 10, Chief of the Department for International Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense Col. Gen. Anatoly Mazurkevich said Russia would need three-four years for withdrawal of its bases from Georgia.

“This is the official position of the leadership of the Russian Defense Ministry and we are planning to adhere to it in the course of upcoming negotiations [with Georgia],” Col. Gen. Mazurkevich said.

This softened position by Russia was described by officials in Tbilisi as “a positive signal.”

“The Russian side is ready to compromise – this is decisive,” Gela Charkviani, the Georgian President’s spokesman, said while commenting on the statement made by Russian Defense Ministry’s official.

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