MPs Consider Setting Performance Deadline to Russian Peacekeepers

Georgian lawmakers are considering setting a deadline for the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Abkhazia and South Ossetia to either stabilize the situation or leave the two conflict zones.

The lawmakers have not yet agreed what the deadline should be.

?This should be a reasonable deadline? Naturally, a term of one week or one month will not be enough [to improve the situation],? Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze told reporters on September 26.

?I prefer the deadline to be the shortest time possible,? MP Maia Nadiradze, leader of the parliamentary majority, said on September 26.

These statements were made after a session of the parliamentary bureau, which decided to move discussion of a draft resolution to later this week, instead of the previously announced September 27.

Parliamentarians from the opposition Conservative Party are opposed to this motion, demanding instead that the peacekeepers withdraw immediately.