MFA Refuses to Comment on Talks over Military Bases

Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Kakha Sikharulidze said at a news briefing on April 7 that the information that has been recently reported about Georgia?s position over the terms and timeframe for the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia ?is not true.?

?Negotiations are underway and I can not make any comment,? Sikharulidze added.

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

?I can reaffirm that none of the information reported by the media sources is true. We have agreed with our Russian colleagues that no information will be disseminated during the negotiation process? this is the rule,? the Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister stated.

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