Georgia Offers Russia to Disband Military Bases Step-by-Step

(Tbilisi February 21, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Georgia offers Russia to disband its military base in Batumi within the three years and after withdrawal from Akhalkalaki base, Head of the Military Department of the Georgian Foreign Ministry Revaz Beshidze said at the news briefing today.

Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Menagharishvili held talks in Moscow on February 18-19 regarding the withdrawal of the Russian military bases from Georgia.

Russia insists that 11 years are needed to pull out its military hardware from the both military bases in Akhalkalaki, South Georgia and Batumi, Adjarian Autonomous Republic.