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Demonstrators in Georgia rally against Russian military's withdrawal

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  • Demonstrators in Georgia rally against Russian military's withdrawal

    Demonstrators in Georgia rally against Russian military's withdrawal

    .c The Associated Press


    TBILISI, Georgia (AP) - Hundreds of demonstrators rallied in Georgian
    cities Thursday to protest the withdrawal of Russian military bases
    which the government wants closed.

    During a protest in the southern city of Akhalkalaki, some 700 people
    urged President Mikhail Saakashvili's government to reconsider its
    push for a quick pullout of the Russian base there, saying that its
    closure would leave most local residents without jobs.

    Saakashvili has promised to create other jobs, but protesters on
    Thursday urged the government to do that before the base's removal.

    About 200 protesters gathered in the Black Sea port of Batumi, where
    the second Russian base is located. They also protested the pullout,
    and urged the government to improve relations with Moscow.

    Georgia and Russia have been sparring over the timetable for
    withdrawal. The small former Soviet republic wants the troops out
    within two years, while Moscow insists it needs at least four years to
    complete the job.



    03/31/05 08:30 EST

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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