Russia says 2006 plan on Georgia pullout almost complete

Under an agreement Russia and Georgia signed March 31, Russian troops and hardware are to leave two Soviet-era bases in the southern city of Akhalkalaki and Batumi in the west of Georgia by 2008. The withdrawal is being monitored by a joint Georgian-Russian commission set up under the March agreement.

"The 2006 plan for the withdrawal of Russian bases from Georgia can be considered 100% implemented," said Major General Andrei Popov, commander of Russian troops in South Caucasus. "All the equipment taken out from Georgia has been delivered to military units in Russia and Armenia, and the last train loaded with equipment will leave the Tsalka railroad station on September 19."

Popov said after September 19, the 62nd base in Akhalkalaki, which the Tsalka station services, will house only vehicles needed for the base's functioning until late 2007.

He gave credit to the authorities of Azerbaijan, whose relations with neighboring Armenia have been tense since the collapse of the Soviet Union, for allowing the transit of military cargo through the country. "The withdrawal procedure was simplified after Azerbaijan allowed transit through its territory, and we have worked in close contact with the country's railroad workers, border guards and the military."

He said there had been no delays in or obstacles to the plan's implementation.

But he said it was only the first stage of the withdrawal, which will continue until 2008. "I hope such issues as food support, movement of vehicles about Georgia and mail deliveries will be solved as quickly as issues related to the withdrawal."

Popov said shipments of military equipment in 2007 would be similar to this year's. "A total of 400 cars with equipment have been sent to Russia through Azerbaijan in 2006, and shipments will be approximately the same in 2007."

He said military hardware was to be withdrawn from the military base in Batumi in 2007, and the base in Akhalkalaki must be closed by December 1, 2007. The staff of the 62nd base in Akhalkalaki would be transferred to the 12th base in Batumi. "Georgia prohibits the deployment of new servicemen, and the base in Batumi is 30% undermanned, which is why we made the decision," Popov said.

He said the situation in Batumi would be completely different from that in Akhalkalaki because Georgian police had toughened requirements for the movement of military vehicles.

"Batumi is a resort, and we hope issues on and the deadline for the pullout from the Batumi base will be coordinated with the Georgian side in advance in order to avoid incidents during the tourist season, which usually starts in July," Popov said.

The Russian government has earmarked 2.167 billion rubles ($81 million) for the pullout from the bases.

/RIA Novosti/