ALL RUSSIAN SERVICEMEN TO WITHDRAW FROM TBILISI GARRISON BY DEC 25

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
November 21, 2006 Tuesday

All Russian servicemen will leave the Tbilisi garrison by December
25, troops commander of the North Caucasus military district /SKVO/,
General of the Army Alexander Baranov said on Tuesday.

A total of 97 units of equipment and 353 tonnes of property and
ammunition will be withdrawn from the premises of the Tbilisi garrison,
Baranov said, adding that the number of withdrawing personnel slightly
exceeds 350.

Two freight trains with garrison property will be evacuated to Russia,
and another two – to the Russian military base in Gyumri, Armenia,
through Azerbaijan.

Georgia has not hampered the pullout efforts so far, according to
the commander.

Baranov also said no reservist from among the troops withdrawing from
Georgia will be left without an apartment. The issue is as good as
settled, he added.

Earlier, he stated that many servicemen from the units which Russia
is withdrawing from Georgia, have opted for continuing service in
the North Caucasus, Moscow and Volga-Ural military districts.

But part of the military have to be discharged from the armed forces
as the term of their service has expired. "For those who are to
be transferred to reserve and who will live in Russia, 80 housing
certificates have been allocated, and 56 apartments purchased in
the territory of the Southern Federal District. No serviceman will
be transferred to reserve until he’s been given an apartment," the
commander underlined.