Lavrov: Moscow will not Yield to ‘Blackmail’ over Bases
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on May 12 that Moscow will not yield to Georgia’s “blackmailing” regarding the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia, RIA Novosti news agency reported.
This comment, which was made by Lavrov while speaking at a Q&A session at the lower house of the Russian Parliament, apparently referred to Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze’s statement, who said that the Georgian lawmakers will demand from the Georgian government an imposing of restrictions on the Russian bases if there is no progress in talks before May 15, as envisaged by a resolution adopted by the Georgian Parliament in March.
The Russian Foreign Minister also said that Moscow will not yield to, as he put it, “Georgia’s internal political conjuncture.” While Lavrov did not elaborate, it is most likely that the Foreign Minister was making a reference to the Georgian side’s position, which says that Tbilisi wants Russian bases to be closed down before parliamentary and presidential elections are held in Georgia in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
Lavrov also assured the Russian lawmakers that the Russian side will undertake appropriate measures in the event of a threat to the Russian bases. “If any steps are taken that threaten our bases [in Georgia] or the lives of Russian citizens… to say nothing of a possible transfer of weapons to foreign hands, I assure you, we will not stay inactive,” Lavrov said.
He said that current relations between Russia and Georgia “are not easy,” but added that the two sides continue talks to solve disputes.
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
