Russian Withdrawal

August 13, 2005
Batumi, Georgia

Russian self-propelled surface-to-air missiles systems Kub (SA-6
Gainful according to the western classification), without missiles,
were loaded onto Russian landing ships at a Russian military base in
the Black Sea port of Batumi in Georgia, Friday, Aug. 12, 2005.

After long and tense negotiations, Russia this year agreed to close
the two bases by the end of 2008.

The long-awaited withdrawal that is to take several years began
Saturday when the vehicles left a Russian base in the Black Sea port
of Batumi _ one of two Soviet-era bases remaining in Georgia.

(AP Photo/Seiran Baroyan)

The Associated Press.