Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Military Newswire
March 31, 2006 Friday 12:59 PM MSK

Russian bases to be withdrawn from Georgia to North Caucasus, Armenia

SOCHI March 31

The Russian forces will be withdrawn from Georgia to the North
Caucasus and Armenia, Colonel General Alexei Maslov, Russian Land
Forces commander-in-chief, told a news conference in Sochi held on
Friday after signing agreements with Georgia on forces withdrawal

“Most of the military hardware and personnel now stationed in Georgia
will in 2008 be withdrawn to the North Caucasus Military District,
while part of the equipment will be dispatched to arm the 102nd
Russian base in Gyumri, Armenia,” Maslov said.

According to him, the agreements will provide legal framework for
cooperation with Georgia in domains determined in the documents.

Georgian First Deputy Defense Minister Mamuka Kudava, who signed the
agreements on behalf and for Georgia, estimated the importance of the
documents as very high.

“We will stick to the provisions outlined in the papers and assist
the Russians in preparation and organization of the withdrawal,” he
said.