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GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES DISMISS OPPOSITION CRITICISM OF RUSSIAN BASES ACCORDS
Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
13 Apr 06
[Presenter] We are now going live to parliament to speak to our
correspondent Vako Avaliani. Vako, is the opposition planning to end
its boycott [of parliamentary proceedings in order to take part in
the ratification of the agreement on the closure of Russian bases]?
[Correspondent] No, the opposition is not planning to end its
boycott. Democratic Front faction MPs are now holding a news conference
to highlight the negative aspects of the agreement on the closure of
the bases. For example, the opposition has a suspicion that Georgia
and Russia will sign an agreement on an antiterrorist centre and
that this centre will be stationed in Gonio, next to the Turkish,
that is NATO, border. No Russian armed units should be allowed to be
deployed near the Turkish border, the opposition says.
[Davit Zurabishvili, opposition Democratic Front MP] Of course,
these are historic documents and we have stated our position. I do
not think there is any risk of this issue being voted down. Naturally,
the opposition supports the troop withdrawal but we also have serious
criticisms, for example over the antiterrorist centre. We believe
that perhaps it should not even be ratified in this form and these
principles should be reviewed.
[Correspondent] The establishment of an antiterrorist centre was also
discussed in the debating chamber because members of the parliamentary
majority are aware of these criticisms by the opposition. An
explanation was provided by the deputy foreign minister [Merab
Antadze]. He said that Article 20 of the agreement, which deals with
the antiterrorist centre, merely speaks of the need to start talks.
[Mikheil Machavariani, deputy speaker addressing parliament] The
sides will start preparing an agreement. There is no obligation here.
This is just an expression of will to start it. That is why I do
not want anyone to get nervous. The Georgian government and the
parliamentary majority will not take any decision that is not in the
Georgian national interest.
[Antadze] An undertaking to start talks does not by any means signify
the establishment of an antiterrorist centre.
[Correspondent] Parliament has also examined the provision in the
agreement concerning the transit of Russian military cargo through
Georgia to Armenia where Russia has a military base. This has been
agreed for a five-year period, but, in any case, if Russia breaks this
provision or if the transit of some cargo damages Georgian interests,
Georgia has a right to declare it void by giving six months' notice.
Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
13 Apr 06
[Presenter] We are now going live to parliament to speak to our
correspondent Vako Avaliani. Vako, is the opposition planning to end
its boycott [of parliamentary proceedings in order to take part in
the ratification of the agreement on the closure of Russian bases]?
[Correspondent] No, the opposition is not planning to end its
boycott. Democratic Front faction MPs are now holding a news conference
to highlight the negative aspects of the agreement on the closure of
the bases. For example, the opposition has a suspicion that Georgia
and Russia will sign an agreement on an antiterrorist centre and
that this centre will be stationed in Gonio, next to the Turkish,
that is NATO, border. No Russian armed units should be allowed to be
deployed near the Turkish border, the opposition says.
[Davit Zurabishvili, opposition Democratic Front MP] Of course,
these are historic documents and we have stated our position. I do
not think there is any risk of this issue being voted down. Naturally,
the opposition supports the troop withdrawal but we also have serious
criticisms, for example over the antiterrorist centre. We believe
that perhaps it should not even be ratified in this form and these
principles should be reviewed.
[Correspondent] The establishment of an antiterrorist centre was also
discussed in the debating chamber because members of the parliamentary
majority are aware of these criticisms by the opposition. An
explanation was provided by the deputy foreign minister [Merab
Antadze]. He said that Article 20 of the agreement, which deals with
the antiterrorist centre, merely speaks of the need to start talks.
[Mikheil Machavariani, deputy speaker addressing parliament] The
sides will start preparing an agreement. There is no obligation here.
This is just an expression of will to start it. That is why I do
not want anyone to get nervous. The Georgian government and the
parliamentary majority will not take any decision that is not in the
Georgian national interest.
[Antadze] An undertaking to start talks does not by any means signify
the establishment of an antiterrorist centre.
[Correspondent] Parliament has also examined the provision in the
agreement concerning the transit of Russian military cargo through
Georgia to Armenia where Russia has a military base. This has been
agreed for a five-year period, but, in any case, if Russia breaks this
provision or if the transit of some cargo damages Georgian interests,
Georgia has a right to declare it void by giving six months' notice.