Posted on 05/23/2005 12:12:25 PM PDT by 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.
But they list one soldier in Moldova and one soldier in Mongolia and no Marines so they can't be at an Embassy. What are they doing?
Don't know anything about soldiers, only Marines. Sorry.
Nope, but it would surprise me if our government had the intellect to offer it. No imagination.
Bush has not done a good job of developing a trust with the Russians. There were lots of things he could have done that would have been very easy, such as a dramatic increase in economic ties, sharing of military technology, etc.
The Russians have some military technology that we would dearly love to get our hands on, and unlike us, they shoot people who leak it.
After watching the parade in Moscow, I have impression that Putin want to build an empire, of course mainly in Russian society eyes, such a fake empire. ==
It is YOUR impression as you said:). I said may time already that if russians wanted Empire then they wouldn't disband USSR as they did. Did it freely and by thier own choice!
If you at last will realize this simple fact then everything else in russian policy will be clear for you.
Certainly American troops protecting Russian borders would make opposite imagine. Is Russia in your opinion is really such desperate of US dollars to allow them to build a base? I doubt… ==
Russians are not against someone helping them. Who will oppose helping hand especially this hand will be for free.
Russians are not "desperate" for US dollars BUT as russian proverb says "even no ruble doesn't lay under feet". Means no money will be abundant.
You may claim what you want, but we both know that possibility that Putin would make such move is less than zero. The same chances that majority of Russians would support that bill. Hey, maybe you are too Americanized! :-)))
You may claim what you want, but we both know that possibility that Putin would make such move is less than zero.==
Speak for yourself:)). You are outsider so your vision are clouded by many many stereotypes of your own. Accually it is not bad. It means that russians still have surprise on thier side:).
Remember the disband of USSR. How big surprise it was for many many outsiders. Most doesn't understand what happend to now. Despite it happened just before thier eyes.
So how they may understand what will be with Russia?
How they may understand what happend in Uzbekistan even few week ago? No one of oursiders heer never was near that country even in region.
Look on Iraq. Who could predict that theer will be so high level of guerilla movement?
And so on so on.
SO Lucash just be expert on your polish business but listen others about russian's.
I don't think we have actual bases there, though I never asked, but we certainly are giving them tremendous support and training.
The Georgians are wonderful, wonderful people and I am so happy we are helping them.
I highly recommend a visit to Tbilisi for a great time. All of the US military and specialists I spoke with really loved being there. The Georgian people are just too amazingly fun, generous, and kind. And they love Americans.
There are lots of USAF in Tbilisi right now. Or were as of a few days ago..
I think so as well.
That DoD list I linked to is only for military stationed there PCS. It doesn't include anyone deployed or TDY.
That's neat. I hope our military folks tread softly.
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