Tbilisi Delays Issuing Visa for Russian Military Commander

In an information note issued on March 12 the Russian Foreign Ministry protested against Georgia?s delays in issuing an entry visa for Alexander Bespalov, who is the new Commander of the Russian Troops in the South Caucasus and whose headquarters are in Tbilisi.

?We are confident, that settlement of Bespalov?s problem? will create favorable conditions for launching talks [between Moscow and Tbilisi over the Russian military bases],? Alexander Yakovenko, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement, adding that the Russian side is ready for a constructive dialogue to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
 
The Georgian Foreign Ministry made no official explanations regarding the case. However, MP Givi Targamadze, who chairs the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security, said Alexander Bespalov is an ?unfavorable? person for Tbilisi.

?Earlier, Bespalov was proposed as the new Commander of the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in Abkhazia by the Russian side, but we categorically opposed his nomination; afterwards he was appointed as the Commander of the Russian Troops in South Caucasus,? MP Givi Targamadze told Civil Georgia on March 12, but refused to elaborate why Bespalov is an ?unfavorable person? for the Georgian side. 
 
MP Targamadze did, however, add that after Bespalov submits ?all the necessary papers? to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, there will be no problems in issuing him a visa.