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Chairman
of the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and National Security Giorgi
Baramidze estimates the statements of the Abkhazian population against
withdrawal of a Russian base from Gudauta as an attempt of sabotaging decisions
of OSCE Istambul summit of 1999. As Giorgi Baramidze stated, these statements, in which up to
100 people take part, are organized by Abkhazians and are concerted with Russia.
In his words, if the process of withdrawing the Russian military base in
Gudauta is hampered international organizations will react appropriately.
According to a report of news agency "Abkazpress", withdrawal
of personnel and machinery from the military base in Gudauta has been suspended
after consultations with Moscow. Mass
rallies have been continuing in Abkhazia several days, on which residents of the
republic including Russians protested against elimination of the base.
Russian military bases stationed in Gudauta and Vaziani must be pulled
out before 1 July this year in accordance with the decision of OSCE Istambul
summit of 1999. The question of
terms of Russian bases' presence in Batumi and Akhalkalaki is a subject for
negotiations of the parties.
Meanwhile,
a report has come that up to 4000 servicemen and about 40 shops of various
categories of the countries-members and partners of the Northern Atlantic Bloc
will participate in the military-marine training "COOPERATIVE PARTNER -
2001", which will be held on 11-23 June in the waters near the port in the
framework of NATO program "Partnership for Peace".
Around 1400 militarymen among those will take part in maneuvers on land.
As it was reported in the agency for relations with the community of the
Defense Ministry of Georgia, on the Georgian side 4 boats, 4 ships of coastguard,
a paratrooper vessel and a helicopter will participate in the maneuvers.
Also, companies of marine infantry, forces of special functions and
medical service of the Armed Forces of Georgia will be involved in the training.
12 Georgian officers will become members of the staff for management of
the maneuvers.
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