MOSCOW. Dec 8 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov disagrees with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who has said that under the Istanbul agreements, Russia should have already removed its military bases from Georgia by this time.
"The Istanbul agreement, or the Russian-Georgian joint statement of November 17, 1999, says that the parties are prepared to complete the talks on the schedule and procedure of operation of the Russian military base in Batumi and Akhalkalaki, and other Russian military facilities in Georgia," Ivanov said while commenting on Rumsfeld's statement in Tbilisi this week.
"The talks are in progress. Eight rounds have been held, the latest one in Moscow on November 12 and 13," the Russian foreign minister said.
"As a professional diplomat I recommend everyone read the documents, preferably in the original," Ivanov said.
"As is the case with any talks, the parties' ability to reach agreements depends on their political willingness. We are determined to work constructively and find mutually acceptable decisions," Ivanov said.
He said that the joint statement also contains other commitments which Russia has fulfilled ahead of time and transparently.
"By December 31, in accordance with the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty, Russia had cut down its arsenals in Georgia and removed its weapons from its military bases in Vaziani and Gudauta and from repair enterprises in Tbilisi. Before July 1, 2001 it had disbanded and removed its military bases from Gudauta and Vaziani," Ivanov said.
"Russia's military presence in Georgia has been brought in full accordance with the limitations stipulated in the adjusted CFE treaty," he added.
Ivanov's comments on Rumsfled's statement can be found on the Foreign Ministry's website.