Demonstrators in Georgia rally against Russian military’s withdrawal
.c The Associated Press
TBILISI, Georgia (AP) – Hundreds of demonstrators rallied in Georgian
cities Thursday to protest the withdrawal of Russian military bases
which the government wants closed.
During a protest in the southern city of Akhalkalaki, some 700 people
urged President Mikhail Saakashvili’s government to reconsider its
push for a quick pullout of the Russian base there, saying that its
closure would leave most local residents without jobs.
Saakashvili has promised to create other jobs, but protesters on
Thursday urged the government to do that before the base’s removal.
About 200 protesters gathered in the Black Sea port of Batumi, where
the second Russian base is located. They also protested the pullout,
and urged the government to improve relations with Moscow.
Georgia and Russia have been sparring over the timetable for
withdrawal. The small former Soviet republic wants the troops out
within two years, while Moscow insists it needs at least four years to
complete the job.
03/31/05 08:30 EST
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress