Parliament’s Resolution Against Russian Bases
Resolution of the Parliament of Georgia on the Military Bases of the Russian Federation Located on the Territory of Georgia
Withdrawal of the military bases of the Russian Federation from the territory of Georgia represents a firm determination of the citizens of Georgia and Georgian authorities.
On the basis of the joint statement made at the OSCE Istanbul Summit on 17 November 1999, which is a part of the adapted CFE Treaty, the Georgian authorities have been holding negotiations with the Russian Federation on withdrawal of Russian military bases from the territory of Georgia. Commitments taken by the virtue of the aforementioned joint statement represent commitments of the parties not only toward each other, but also toward the international community.
In accordance with the Istanbul joint statement, the Russian Federation committed itself to liquidate the Vaziani and Gudauta military bases prior to July 1, 2001, while in the course of 2000 the sides had to complete negotiations regarding the duration and modalities of the functioning of the Russian military bases at Batumi and Akhalkalaki. On the ground of the Istanbul joint statement, so far, eight round of Georgian-Russian negotiation on military issues have been held.
With regard to the liquidation of the Gudauta and Vaziani military bases, Russia has fulfilled the international commitment taken within the Istanbul joint statement only partially. Namely, the Vaziani military base has been liquidated, however, only weaponry and military machinery restricted by the CFE Treaty have been removed from the Gudauta base.
Due to the unconstructive stance of the Russian side, up to now it has been impossible to carry out inspection of the base, which would verify its closure. At the same time, one-off inspection is not good enough to prove closure of the military base; it is essential to take specific measures aimed at guarantying permanent transparency in terms of further usage of certain facilities of the base.
Despite the fact that the Russian side declares the Gudauta military base closed, about 300 Russian military servicemen still remain there. This means that the base is not closed and that position had been maintained repeatedly by the Georgian side at the Joint Consultation Group (JCG) meeting in Vienna and shared by the majority of OSCE member States.
As far as Batumi and Akhalkalaki military bases are concerned, the Georgian side has put forward several compromise options for withdrawal of the bases (“stage by stage” withdrawal-first Batumi base, then Akhalkalaki base, or vice versa; “phase-based ” withdrawal- first, weaponry and military machinery, than military personnel; solving housing problem of military personnel by providing them with free of charge apartments). In addition, the Georgian side, with the support of donor countries, rendered financial support to the Russian side in the process of withdrawal of armed forces from the territory of Georgia, in particular, the Georgian side covered the transportation cost for withdrawal of Vaziani base.
Despite the fact that parties have reached an agreement on major principles regarding withdrawal of military bases (final result of the negotiations must be withdrawal of the Russian military bases from the territory of Georgia; definition of duration of stay of RF military bases, necessary for withdrawal of them from the territory of Georgia), the Russian side asks for absurdly long period of time (initially 15 years, later 11, 7 etc.) for withdrawal of its 3000-strong military personnel.
It is clear that Russia applies “drug-out” tactic. To this end Russia holds meetings, at the expert level, two-three times a year in an attempt to demonstrate to the international community that the negotiations are underway.
The Russian side tries to maintain the armament and military equipment in fighting trim, i.e. to optimize and strengthen the bases stationed here. Namely, weaponry and military hardware to be removed from Georgia are being redistributed from the Tbilisi military garrison to the military bases in Batumi and Akhalkalaki. There are also indications of increasing number of personnel at the military bases.
Despite the repeated ban imposed by the Georgian side, military exercises are being carried out on the military polygons that are temporarily at the disposal of Russia.
It should be pointed out that the military units, stationed at the Batumi base, carry out military drills, using heavy weaponry and machinery on the Gonio military polygon and therefore, taking into account the fact that this region represents zone of tourist industry, inflicts particularly huge damage to Georgia’s ecosystem and economy.
In addition, the Group of Russian Troops in South Caucasus (GRVZ) fully ignores the Georgian legislation. Namely, in spite of the fact that it does not have any legal status on the territory of Georgia (therefore, facilities at its temporary disposal are not authorized to engage in commercial activity), the Russian military units stationed on the territory of Georgia are engaged in the commercial activities.
Therefore, the Russian side failed to adequately respond to the good will demonstrated by the Georgian side; the Russian leadership opted for an unconstructive position on this issue.
Proceeding from all the aforementioned, the Parliament of Georgia, being guided by the fundamental principles of the international law, which envisages that foreign state must seek mandatory consent of the host country on the territory of which it is going to deploy its military forces, and proceeding from the national interests of Georgia, taking into account the fact that the functioning of Russian military bases poses threat to the stability and security in the region, resolves:
1. Due to unconstructive stance taken by the Russian Federation, the commitments taken by the RF, envisaged in 1999 Istanbul Summit joint statement, have not been fulfilled up to now, it should be emphasized that the Russian military bases do not have any legal status on the territory of Georgia and on the basis of the agreement reached as a result of negotiations, they must operate in the pull-out regime upon which maintaining of combat-readiness, military exercises and rotation of military personnel, as well as some other military operations are inadmissible.
2. In case of failure to reach a bilateral agreement on withdrawal of the military bases by May 15, 2005, the Russian side shall be demanded to put an end to the existence of Russian military bases on the territory of Georgia by January 1, 2006.
3. In case of failure to reach, by May 15, 2005, an agreement with the Russian side on the concrete, acceptable for Georgia and reasonable time frame for withdrawal of RF’s military bases from the territory of Georgia, the Executive Authorities of Georgia shall carry out, in accordance with the law, adequate measures with regard to these military bases. In particular:
a) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia shall halt issuing entry visas to Russian military servicemen;
b) The Ministry of Finance shall determine the total debt to the state budget of Georgia accumulated as a result of functioning RF’s military bases and facilities on the territory of Georgia. The aforementioned debt shall be qualified as a state debt of RF to Georgia;
c) The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources shall study and assess the scope of ecological damage inflicted on Georgia as a result of functioning of RF’s military bases;
d) The Defense and Interior Ministries shall work out and secure control over implementation of a special regime of movement for the Russian servicemen, military hardware and cargo owned by the Russian military bases stationed in Georgia.
e) The Government of Georgia shall elaborate the programs for social rehabilitation for the citizens of Georgia currently employed at the RF military bases.
4. Until January 1, 2006, the Russian military bases stationed on the territory of Georgia shall function in the pull-out regime that must serve the final goal of their withdrawal from the territory of Georgia. Functioning of military bases in other regime is categorically unacceptable for the Georgian side.
5. The international community shall be informed about the decision made by the Georgian Authorities with regard to the RF military bases.
We do hope that within the time-frame of two month provided in this resolution, an agreement on withdrawal of military bases within reasonable and acceptable for Georgia time-frame will be reached with the Authorities of RF.
The Parliament of Georgia believes that withdrawal of RF’s military bases from the territory of Georgia will contribute to the strengthening of security and stability in the region, as well as to improvement and normalization of the Georgian-Russian bilateral relations.
Tbilisi,
10 March 2005