RUSSIAN OFFICIALS WANT TBILISI TO ‘SHOW RESPECT’

Civil Georgia, Georgia
Dec 2 2006

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin said on December 1
that it is too early to speak about the possibility of the Russian
ambassador’s return to Georgia. The ambassador was recalled from
the country after Georgia arrested four Russian officers for alleged
spying.

He also called on Tbilisi to "respect mutual problems" and refrain
from inflammatory rhetoric.

"The inadmissibility of a humiliating tone and officials’ humiliating
rhetoric is a basis in bilateral relations between states," Karasin
said.

Also on December 1, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov said that
Russia is guided by purely commercial principles while dealing with
economic relations with Georgia.

He said that USD 230 per 1000 cubic meters, which Russia’s Gazprom
plans to sell its gas to Georgia in 2007, is a commercial price which
has nothing to do with politics.

"Yes, Armenia will receive our gas for a lower price, but not because
of political reasons. Armenia has handed over its gas transportation
infrastructure [to Russia]," Ivanov said.

He has also said that Russia cut air links with Georgia because the
Georgian airway companies have an air service debt to the Russian side.

Ivanov indicated that tensions with Georgia were not triggered only by
the spy scandal. He said that there have been several cases of Russian
officers being beaten up by officers from the Georgian Military Police.