PRESIDENT PUTIN DOES NOT WANT FOREIGN TROOPS TO BE DEPLOYED IN GEORGIA INSTEAD OF RUSSIAN BASES

RIA Novosti ^ | 2005 May 23

[Lukasz]

MOSCOW, May 23 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want troops of some third countries to be deployed in Georgia instead of Russian bases. "I do not want troops of third countries to be deployed in Georgia after our withdrawal. This would threaten our security and the Georgian partners understand it," Putin said commenting on the withdrawal of Russian bases from Georgia.

"Russian bases in Georgia [in Batumi and Akhalkalaki] are of no interest from the point of view of security. This is not my opinion but the opinion of the Russian General Staff," the President said.

"This is not good from the political point of view because it means that our neighbors do not want our presence in their country. But it would be worse if we violated this sovereign right," he added.

"Nothing requires the immediate or rapid withdrawal of our troops. The Russian side believes that the pressure of the Georgian side is unsubstantiated," Vladimir Putin stressed.

A delegation of the Russian Foreign Ministry headed by ambassador at large Igor Savolsky arrived in Tbilisi to negotiate on the terms of the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia.

The payment of Georgia's compensations for the bases' withdrawal will not be on the agenda of the talks, Savolsky told journalists in Tbilisi's airport.

"We shall not discuss the compensations. In compliance with the Istanbul agreement, the sides decided to search for additional sources of financing. These sums will be insignificant as compared to the cost of the operation," he said.

The ambassador at large did not specify the site where the Russian bases will be deployed after the pullout from Georgia. According to him, Russia proposes to withdraw the bases within 2008.

"The bases may be partially deployed in Armenia and mostly in Russia," Savolsky added.

The Georgian parliament insists on the final withdrawal of the bases by January 1, 2008.

[Lukasz]

You have a good taste, Polish vodkas regularly winning all contests.

[contemplator]

I thought we were already in Georgia.

Not for long as you see :-) I think he meant the Georgia located withing the US, not the one close to Russia.

Putin must be getting worried with the talk of the possibility of US troops moving from Germany and going into Poland. I notice how he seperated his opinions from that of the General Staff. I'm not familiar enough with the Russian mindset to recognize whether or not he just gave America a subtle threat that his Generals might take matters into their own hands if they feel threatened by US troops being too close, and that politically he would not be able to stop them. This is the main problem with having a Military used to taking power into their own hands via a bloddy coup if necessary and not deferring to a civilian authority.

[Lukasz]

No, US forces (and bases) in Azerbaijan.

I read that Azerbaijan denied such possibility. They said that their own forces are able to protect the pipe.

[Lukasz]

I think he meant the Georgia located withing the US, not the one close to Russia.

I know, just kidding.

US troops moving from Germany and going into Poland.

I doubt that any bases will be located in Poland. But Bulgaria and Romania will get these bases surely, I think that Black Sea coast is strategically better location than Poland.

[Plutarch]

Hard to discuss this stuff without a map:

Georgia has a very strategic location. I am sure that Iran wouldn't like the idea of U.S. bases in Georgia.

[AdmSmith]

are you sure that they are there for the pipeline?

[billbears]

I think that most of Georgians would love to see American bases there.

I don't care what Georgians would want. Let someone else put them there. It is not the business of this nation of states to establish military bases worldwide and station troops there. The Cold War is over, it's time to bring troops home to defend our borders as per the Constitution.

[Lukasz]

Georgia has a very strategic location. I am sure that Iran wouldn't like the idea of U.S. bases in Georgia.

Yes, Gergia is a great place for military base. You may have keep on eye on whole Caucasus region, Russia, Turkey, Iran and the most important countries of Central Asia like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Of course we should not forget about energetic aspects.

[Lukasz]

You are sure that any American troops are in Azerbaijan now?

Azerbaijan not undermining Iranian interests

[FreedomCalls]

As a proud continuator of Soviet tradition Mr Putin would never allow to any American base in Russia. But it would be a quite interesting move.

If we can have a German base in America (Holloman AFB) then the Russians can tolerate an American base in Russia. They're quite the cash cow for their hosts actually. He should want one.

[Lukasz]

I don't care what Georgians would want. Let someone else put them there. It is not the business of this nation of states to establish military bases worldwide and station troops there. The Cold War is over, it's time to bring troops home to defend our borders as per the Constitution.

American troops, American choice. (of course if Gergia would give you permission) I think that you have in this unstable region enough important interests to protect. Maybe cold war is over but “energetic cold war” no.

[FreedomCalls]

According to the DoD's own lists, there are 6 Marines in Azerbaijan and 12 in Georgia.

[edcoil]

Ever wonder what the one Navy guy in Poland does?

[Lukasz]

If we can have a German base in America (Holloman AFB) then the Russians can tolerate an American base in Russia. They're quite the cash cow for their hosts actually. He should want one.

Hardly, I would be really surprised, even shocked if they would agree. Russia is not Uzbekistan, they are not so desperate for money.

[Lukasz]

Ever wonder what the one Navy guy in Poland does?

What Navy guy in Poland?

[Lukasz]

I invite you to the disscussion, you cannot miss the Georgian thread.

[RusIvan]

Let's make a deal with Putin. No American troops in Georgia. Instead, let's put the American troops in Russia, near the North Korean and Chinese borders.==

Good deal accually:). Will it be surprise for you if he agrees?

[GSlob]

"they may start making even more problems with this withdrawal than today."
Georgia has the common border with Chechnya - thus "making more problems" stick has TWO ends.

[RusIvan]

As a proud continuator of Soviet tradition Mr Putin would never allow to any American base in Russia. But it would be a quite interesting move.===

Lucash you'll be surprised:).

Think about it. American bases will be payers not payees then they will defend russian border. All for free for Russia. It is one shot 2 gooses.
Who will oppose it? Putin isn't stupid.

[Useless_eater_on_steroids]

"According to the DoD's own lists, there are 6 Marines in Azerbaijan and 12 in Georgia."

It's called Embassy Duty and it is part of the Marine Corps mission.