In an information note issued on March 4 the Russian Foreign Ministry accused Georgia side of ?complicating process of negotiations? over the pull out of Russian military bases from Georgia.
The information note reads that recent statements made by the Georgian officials over possible blockade of Russian military bases triggers ?concerns.?
In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica published on March 2, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said, ?[Russian President Vladimir] Putin should know, that if he does not pull out [Russian] servicemen [from Georgia], we will cut energy supply to the Russian military bases and halt issuing of visas [for Russian soldiers].?
?Problems persist over issuing of visas for those servicemen who are sent for military service [on the Russian military bases] in Georgia? Recently, there were attempts of obstructing bases? activity by holding protest rallies [outside the military base],? the Russian Foreign Ministry?s information note reads.
A protest rally outside the Russian military base was held by the local population of Batumi, in Adjara Autonomous Republic, on March 4. Protesters demanded pull out of Russian troops.