Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Speaks of Bases Row

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Loshchinin said in an interview with Russian radio station Mayak on May 14 that a langugage of ?ultimatum…is not the proper language to talk to Russia with,? the Russian media reported.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister was referring to the Georgian Parliament?s resolution which instructs the Georgian government to impose restrictions on Russian bases if there is no progress in talks over the withdrawal of these bases from Batumi and Akhalkalaki.

?An ultimatum is counterproductive. We are not going to be attached to Georgia or stay there,? Valery Loshchinin said.

He noted that the Russian Parliament has also passed a resolution in response to the Georgian lawmakers? resolution recommending the Russian government to take counter measures in case of any threat to Russian bases in Georgia.

?Quite tough measures might follow from the Russian side,? Loshchinin warned.

He recalled the fact that ethnic Georgians who currently live in Russia send millions of dollars to their families in Georgia, which is ?a significant support to Georgia?s economy.?

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