The Georgian side stopped two T-72 tanks from the Russian military base stationed in Batumi, Adjara Autonomous Republic, and barred them from moving from that base to the Gonio training ground, near Batumi, on July 15.
The two Russian tanks were due to participate in scheduled exercises at the Gonio training ground. But the Georgian side claims that training in Gonio is prohibited from July 15 to September 15 ? the period when the beaches of Adjara recieve the biggest flow of tourists. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry the Russian side was informed about this request by the Georgian side.
Georgian officials say that the Russian military base in Batumi was offered to hold exercises in Simoneti instead of Gonio. Simoneti is near Kutaisi, which is about 150 kilometers away from Batumi.
According to the joint declaration signed by the Georgian and Russian Foreign Ministers in Moscow on May 30, the training ground in Gonio should be transferred to the Georgian side before September 1, 2005. According to this declaration the Russian troops have the right to carry out training ? ?shoot small armaments, driving? ? at the Gonio training ground.
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)