TV Reports on Georgia’s Position over Russian Bases

Tbilisi-based Rustavi 2 television reported on April 6, that the Georgia side agrees on withdrawal of Russia’s two military bases stationed in Batumi and Akhalkalaki within three years, before January 1, 2009, but on the condition that during this period these bases will operate in a “pull-out regime,” which means that the maintaining of combat-readiness, military exercises and rotation of military personnel will be banned during this period.

Currently, experts from Georgian and Russian Foreign Ministries are holding consultations over this issue in Tbilisi. The Georgian Foreign Ministry refuses to make any comment regarding the Tbilisi’s position before the talks are underway.

Rustavi 2 television also reported that the Georgian side is also ready to raise some USD 10-15 million from international donors for the transportation of personnel and military hardware to Russia, as well as to donate apartments to Russian officers in Tbilisi, which can be sold before leaving Georgia. But Tbilisi refuses to pay any other compensation in exchange of bases’ pullout, the Rustavi 2 reported.

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