PM Nogaideli Comments on Russian Peacekeepers

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said on February 8 that the authorities should make a decision on the Russian peacekeepers “based on Georgia’s interests” alone. 
 
“The withdrawal of the peacekeeping forces from the conflict zone has never been a goal in itself. We will make a final decision based on Georgia’s interests and based on the concrete situation [in the South Ossetian conflict zone],” Nogaideli said at a government session.
 
He instructed the Interior, Defense and Foreign Ministries, as well as State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava to actively participate in the parliamentary hearings on the Russian peacekeepers.
 
“If the peacekeepers do not fulfill their mandate, any country, any government would make a decision over their withdrawal and this should not be a surprise,” Khaindrava told reporters on February 8.