Russia to pull troops from Georgia

MOSCOW - Russia has pledged to shut its two military bases in neighbouring Georgia and pull out its troops in 2008 in a breakthrough deal that should end a dispute that has poisoned ties for years. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the move after months of rising tension between Moscow and Tbilisi, whose new pro-Western government describes the presence of Russian troops in the two Soviet-era bases as an "occupation". 

"The final withdrawal will be completed in 2008," Lavrov told journalists after talks in Moscow with his Georgian counterpart Salome Zurabishvili. 

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said the decision should help thaw the chilly atmosphere between the two nations. 

"I am sure that with the removal of one of the painful problems in Georgian-Russian relations we can adjust to more constructive relations," he told journalists in Tbilisi. 

Lavrov and Zurabishvili signed a joint communique covering the main stages of the phased withdrawal -- something the Georgian side wanted to see before striking a final deal. 

Zurabishvili said the communique stated that all Russian armour would be withdrawn from the country, while any of the 2,500 soldiers and officers deployed at the bases who wanted to remain residents of Georgia would be allowed to. 

"We expect up to one-third of the servicemen to use this chance," she said. 

Zurabishvili said that, as far as Georgia was concerned, the deal did not need parliamentary ratification and would come into effect immediately. 

- REUTERS