War Alert
// Tbilisy declare Russian bases to be an outlaw
Àriendship of nations
Yesterday, the Parliament of Georgia passed an act “About Russian Federation military bases in Georgia.” Actually, that is an ultimatum. If Russia doesn’t determine the dates of withdrawal before May 15, the bases will be declared to be an outlaw from January 2006. Anatoly Vazurkevich, head of international military cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense told that they are ready to withdraw in three or four years. That is what Tbilisy insisted on. Georgia took it as Moscow readiness to run constructive negotiations.
Ultimatum
The Georgian parliament passed the act by a solid vote. “Presence of the Russian military bases in Georgia has no juridical status” – the act says. If Russia doesn’t determine the dates of withdrawal before May 15, the bases will be declared to be an outlaw from January 2006.
The parliament charged the executive power to take measures the so that no to issue visas to the Russian military men. The Ministry of Finance should estimate the debt of Russia for the bases presence. Ministry of Defense should make up a special regime for the migration of the Russian military men and their loads on the Georgian territory.
Perhaps, that is the toughest decision of the new authority. The act is considered historical.Konstantin Gabashvili, head of International Affairs Committee of the Parliament said that it was “not a decision against Russia. We want to help Russia to become a democratic state and to get rid of the imperial attitude.”
There was no article about Russian peace makers though. According to the authors of the act, it’s too early to talk about that. The question should be solved after the world community gives guarantee that there will be no conflicts in the region.
David Gamkrelidze, the leader of the oppositional New Rights fraction supported the idea of NATO troops’ presence in Georgia, firstly from the United States and Great Britain. The call wasn’t supported though.
Insult
After the act was passed, Georgian speaker Nino Burdjanadze said that “There was no discord in the government regarding the act about presence of the Russian military bases.”
A few days ago, a number of deputies of the parliament called to block the Russian bases if Russia doesn’t sign an agreement on the withdrawal. Burdjanadze offered to postpone the question and some of the pro-presidential majority were voiced ultimatum.
They said they would join opposition if the president and the speaker didn’t solve the problem before the end of the week.
Burdjanadze had to agree. The opponents of the act said that the act can get wrong on the threshold of the 60 anniversary of the victory over fascism.
So, the act passed. Burdjanadze said that the act “will be fulfilled because in this question, the positions of the executive power, parliament and the Georgians are similar.”
A member of the president administration said that “The main factor of the unity was a threat from Moscow that they would arrange an electric blockade. That insulted the Georgians.”
Indeed, the Georgians didn’t like the declarations of the Russian Duma. Both, opposition and pro-presidential majority decided to deport RAO UES of Russia from Georgia and execute forfeiture because the blockade is actually a war declaration. They were sure the world community would support Georgia.
Gesture of reconciliation
Tough position of Tbilisy took the effect.
Anatoly Vazurkevich, head of international military cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense told yesterday that they are ready to withdraw in three or four years. He said that was an official position of the Ministry of Defense and he would stick to this position during the Russia-Georgian consultations. He said that two bases will be reorganized into mountain infantries.
His declaration is sensational because that means that the ministry decided to shorten the terms of withdrawal. Putin used to order to form mountain infantries before the end of this year. But it’s doubtful that the servicemen will leave their home.
Tbilisy noticed the change in the position of Moscow. Gela Charkviany said yesterday that they consider the offer constructive and they are ready to examine it.
Vladimir Novikov, Tbilisy; Oleg Zorin, Ivan Safronov
All the Article in Russian as of Mar. 11, 2005
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