RUSSIA’S STAFF OUT OF TBILISI
Dec. 25, 2006
The headquarter premises of Transcaucasia’s Troops of Russia in central
Tbilisi have been officially handed in to Georgian Defense Ministry
Saturday. Georgia will auction the premises for at least $20 million
in the next move.
By the day of transfer of headquarter premises, four trains had driven
machinery and equipment of Russia’s garrison away from Tbilisi. The
destination of two trains was Armenia, Gumri military base of Russia,
while the remaining two trains left Georgia for the home country.
The officers that were the last to pull out of Tbilisi headquarters
went either to Russia or to Armenia, though 13 officers headed for the
Georgian city of Batumi to continue the service and coordinate final
withdrawal of Russia’s military from Akhalkalaki base and Batumi that
is to be completed by 2007 and 2008 respectively.
The location of former staff of Russia’s military in Tbilisi is
extremely advantageous. It is the very downtown of Georgian capital
just between two districts of local elite – Vake and Saburtalo.
With the Russians out of Tbilisi, the premises will probably change
the owner. They could be transferred from Defense Ministry of Georgia
to Economy Ministry of the country. More likely than not, they will
be sold via an auction held with the starting price of at least $20
million. In that part of Tbilisi, a square meter of housing costs
$700 to begin with, and the price goes up to $1,500 once a building
frame is constructed.