Moscow Says Burjanadze’s Statement on Bases is ‘Blackmail’
Russian Defense Ministry spokesmen Viacheslav Sedov condemned Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze’s statement, which warned that the Georgian Parliament will insist on enforcement of restrictions on Russian bases stationed in Georgia if there is no progress in talks, as “blackmail.”
“The language of ultimatums and blackmail is inadmissible, especially during the process when the sides try to find mutually acceptable solutions of a number of issues related to the pullout and terms of presence of the Russian bases in Georgia,” Interfax news agency quoted Viacheslav Sedov as saying on May 12.
On May 12 Interfax and RIA Novosti news agencies also quoted Chairman of the Russian Parliament’s lower house Committee for Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachev, who also described this statement made by Nino Burjanadze as “blackmail” adding that it is an “unfriendly approach towards Russia.”
The Georgian Parliament approved a resolution on March 10 instructing the executive government to take measures against the Russian military bases in Georgia if an agreement over a “reasonable” timeframe for their withdrawal is not reached with Russia before May 15, 2005.
These measures include: halting of issuing entry visas to Russian military servicemen; assessment of the total debt for the functioning of the bases and preparing an unspecified “special regime of movement” for the Russian servicemen, military hardware and cargo owned by the Russian military bases stationed in Georgia. The Parliament also instructs the Ministry of Environment “to assess the ecological damage caused by the functioning of the Russian military bases.”
“If such a decision is made, this will inadequately influence the process of negotiations, as well as Russia’s position regarding the pullout of its bases from Georgia,” Russian MP Kosachev said.
Moscow refuses to close down its bases in Batumi and Akhalkalaki by January 1, 2008, as is demanded by the Georgian side.
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