Minister of Defense: Russian Troops Still Stay in Georgia

The RF Ministry of Finance will appropriate financing for withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia as soon as both countries conclude an intergovernmental agreement
Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Ivanov promises that withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia will be thoroughly considered. The minister told journalists that this time withdrawal of troops will not resemble the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Germany when the whole of the operation was badly organized. Sergey Ivanov says that Russia should build new military stations for the troops that are to be withdrawn from Georgia.
 
The Ministry of Finance will appropriate financing for withdrawal of troops only when Russia and Georgia conclude an intergovernmental agreement. RIA Novosti reports that no agreement of the kind has been developed yet. The RF Minister of Defense says that future of the Russian military bases in Georgia is being negotiated; any statement on the issue is received calmly. Sergey Ivanov emphasizes that the problem has been touched upon during the recent visit of Georgia's Nino Burdzhanadze to Moscow. He adds: "We have touched upon the issue and agreed that negotiations would be recommenced. We keep up a dialogue not with nationalists or some marginal groups, but with the legal authorities of Georgia."