08 August 2003 15:50
Russia reduces its Georgia-based headquarters personnel
Moscow, Tbilisi, 8 August: A Prime-News Tbilisi correspondent reports that the Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed
the Prime-News information on the reduction of the personnel of the Tbilisi-based headquarters of the Group of the
Russian Troops in the Transcaucasus [GRTT] by two-thirds.
The Russian Defence Ministry stated on Friday [8 August] that the GRTT headquarters had already started the work
related to the reduction of the personnel from 120 to 40.
According to a directive from the commander of the North Caucasus Military District, the reduction of the GRTT
headquarters personnel should be completed by 31 December 2003. Eighty people, including officers, will be laid off, the
Russian Defence Ministry said.
The plan affects only the GRTT headquarters personnel and does not envision a reduction in the security and supplies
units.
The security, supplies and communications 364th and 149th separate battalions are so far operating at full strength
under the General Staff of the Russian armed forces.
Russian military bases in Batumi and Akhalkalaki continue to operate in Georgia without any changes.
The remaining Russian staff officers will be offered a transfer to the reserve command office in Mtskheta [near
Tbilisi].
At the same time, Georgia is continuing talks with Russia on dates for the withdrawal of the Russian bases in Batumi
and Akhalkalaki.
Tbilisi has proposed that the bases be withdrawn in three years' time, while Moscow demands 11 years on the
grounds that it needs time to build the relevant infrastructure at a new location.
According to the Georgian side, at present there are 3,000 Russian servicemen and 400 pieces of hardware in
Georgia.
Georgia stated earlier that the Russian military would be able to stay in Georgia after the closure of the bases
until the construction of housing for them in Russia is completed.
[Prime-News news agency] |
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