Russia Asks to Withdraw Military Hardware via Abkhazia

Kakha Ardia, Governor of the Samegrelo region, which borders breakaway Abkhazia, said on June 18, after the talks with General-Lieutenant Valerie Yevnevich, Deputy Commander of the Russian Land Forces in charge of Russian peacekeeping operations, that ?Russia wants to withdraw its military hardware from Georgia via breakaway Abkhazia.?

Governor Ardia, who met with Gen.-Lieutenant Yevnevich in Zugdidi, also said that the Russian side claims that movement of the heavy military vehicles through Jvari pass, which is at the Georgia?s northern border with Russia, will be difficult.

The joint declaration between Russian and Georgian Foreign Ministers signed in Moscow on May 30, which outlines the Russian bases? withdrawal process from Georgia, reads:

?Georgian side would provide assistance in organizing withdrawal of the part of equipment and personnel of the Russian military base in Batumi and Akhalkalaki outside of the territory of Georgia by use of the legitimate border checkpoints, including the port of Batumi, airport Batumi and at the town of Ninotsminda [at the border with Armenia].?

Speaking at a news briefing on June 6 Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov said that the main part of the hardware and property, as well as personnel of the Russian military bases will be pulled out by sea.

Russia also intends to remove part of its military hardware to the Russian military base stationed in Gyumri, Armenia.

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