Interfax, Russia
April 26 2005
Armenians in S. Georgia oppose Russian base pullout
TBILISI. April 26 (Interfax) – Armenians living in Georgia’s
Akhalkalaki district said they do not want Russia’s military base in
the district to be withdrawn, Virk party leader David Rstakian told
Interfax on Tuesday.
“Of course, the local population is opposed to withdrawing this base.
If Russia and Georgia have reached an agreement [on the base’s
withdrawal], we are unlikely to be able to change anything. But we
will demand that Georgia ensure security in the Javakhetia region on
the border with Turkey. The region is home to a number of Armenian
settlements,” Rstakian said.
The local Armenian population fears a threat from Turkey if the
Russian base is pulled out of Akhalkalaki, he said.