ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
April 13, 2007 Friday

Akhalkalaki base convoy carrying property to Armenia

The first convoy of this year carrying property of the Russian 62nd
base in Akhalkalaki (southern Georgia) crossed the Georgian-Armenian
border and headed for the Russian 102nd base in Gyumri on Friday,
Assistant Army Commander Col. Igor Konashenkov said.

“Ten large-size trucks are carrying property,” he said.

The second motorcade will leave Akhalkalaki for Armenia on April 19,
and another four will go there by the end of May.

Military hardware and property of the Akhalkalaki base will also be
sent to Russia by two trains on May 17 and 24. The base will be
transferred to the Georgian Defense Ministry by July 1.

All heavy machinery and armaments of the bases were withdrawn last
year.

The pullout of military hardware and property of the 12th base in
Batumi, which started two years ago, will resume in May and end next
year. The Batumi base will close down by October 1, 2008.