Saakashvili Reiterates Georgia will not Host Foreign Military Bases

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili reiterated in an interview to the Russian newspaper Argumenty i Fakty, that Georgia will not deploy military bases of third county on its soil; however added it will be difficult to formulate this provision in the comprehensive framework agreement between Georgia and Russia, as demanded by Moscow.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry work over the framework agreement is stalled because Georgia avoided including a legally binding refusal to station the military of third countries or offering them military infrastructure in the agreement.

?We state that there will be no foreign military bases in Georgia, but from the legal point of view it will be difficult to include this provision in the agreement. It is difficult to find a proper formulation, [it is difficult] to include this provision and at the same time not to restrict our sovereignty,? Mikheil Saakashvili said.

He said that foreign military bases ?means to be depended on other country.? ?But I am sure, that Georgia will be able to create the army, which will enable us not be depended on anybody else,? he added.

The Georgian President also said that the Georgia plans to have the 15.000-strong army. ?Four brigades will be trained in accordance to the international standards. This will be 12.000 troops. Plus [to this troops Georgia will have] coast guard, air forces, which will be comprised of 5 jets and 12 helicopters,? Mikheil Saakashvili added.