Opposition MP: Government May Soften Stance on Peacekeepers

Leader of the opposition New Rights party MP Davit Gamkrelidze stated that the Georgian government “plans to retreat” from its hard line position over the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from breakaway South Ossetia.

Gamkrelidze cited recent statements made by Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli, who said on February 6 that the pullout of the Russian peacekeepers “has never been a goal in itself.”

“We want the Russian peacekeepers to fulfill their mandate,” added the Prime Minister.
 
“I noticed a different tone in the Prime Minister’s statement. He made the strange statement that they [the authorities] will observe what kind of position the ‘blue helmets’ [the Russian Peacekeepers] will take in the peace process. I assume the authorities are trying to postpone the issue of withdrawal for an indefinite period… that would be very bad,” Gamkrelidze told Imedi television on February 7.

The government members will brief parliamentarians about the peace process in South Ossetia and the performance of the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed there at hearings at an expanded parliamentary bureau session at 3 pm local time on February 7.

Based on the testimonies by government members, the Parliament will then take a decision whether to demand withdrawal of Russian troops from the conflict zone or not.