Georgia insists on full Russian withdrawal

WASHINGTON - The former Soviet Republic of Georgia insists on all Russian troops leaving its territory, but is willing to discuss a "dignified withdrawal and a sensible timeframe" with the Kremlin, President Mikhail Saakashvili said on Sunday.  

Saakashvili, who will host President George Bush on Monday for a 24-hour visit, said in an interview on CNN's Late Edition: "We also understand Russian concerns, and I think we can find solutions that would be dignified solutions for both sides.  

"We don't want foreign troops on our territory. We certainly are determined to get rid of their presence. We are willing to do it in a civilized way, but a sensible timeframe."  

Saakashvili decided to boycott celebrations in Moscow to mark the 60th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany after Georgia and Russia failed to agree last week on a timetable for the withdrawal.  

Georgia, a state of 5 million in the turbulent Caucasus region, sees two Russian army bases still on its soil as a hangover from the Soviet Union and evidence that Moscow still wants to throw its weight around in its smaller southern neighbor. Georgia wants the last Russian troops gone in 2008.  

Saakashvili said Syria managed to pull its troops out of Lebanon in a matter of weeks and it had three or four times as many as Russia has in Georgia.  

"We're not asking for this timeframe. We are asking for sensible timeframes. We understand that this is part of the Soviet legacy," he said.  

"Those troops are stationed in the region of Abkhazia, in the region of Ajaria, and in southern Georgia, very sensitive parts of our territory, where they have taken part in stirring up some trouble in the past. So we don't want to take risks right now."

- REUTERS