Posted on 04/19/2002 6:46:01 AM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
MOSCOW (AP) -- Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Kosovan objected Thursday to the planned U.S. military training in Georgia, saying U.S. influence in the region was growing and was a cause for alarm."The presence of American divisions in Georgia should worry any Russian soldier," Itar-Tass quoted Kosovan as saying.
Kosovan said Georgia had rejected earlier Russian offers of help in clearing out the Pankisi Gorge, Itar-Tass reported. Russia has said Chechen rebels are using the gorge to regroup and rearm.
Kosovan said Russia was ready to withdraw from some of its Soviet-era military bases in Georgia ahead of schedule, in 10 rather than 14 years, Itar-Tass reported. The offer appeared to be a bid to break a deadlock in talks with Tbilisi and ease tensions.
"The presence of American divisions in Georgia should worry any Russian soldier," Itar-Tass quoted Kosovan as saying.
Tell Kosovan we only got ten divisions, and we sure as hell are not going to waste one in the "other" Georgia...
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