US not to deploy military bases in Caucasus: US official
PLA Daily 2004-01-15
MOSCOW, Jan. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States is not to deploy military bases in the Caucasus region, the Interfax news agency quoted a visiting US official as saying on Wednesday.
The time when permanent military bases were opened in other countries has passed and Georgia can ensure its security by cooperating with North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union without US involvement, said Bruce P. Jackson, who arrived in Georgia on Tuesday.
Washington is currently negotiating with Romania, Bulgaria and Poland on the temporary stationing of US military bases on their territories due to the ongoing anti-terrorist operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, Jackson, head of the US committee on NATO told a press conference.
The United States has been trying to expand its military presence to Eastern Europe, Central Asia and some former Soviet territories.
Meantime, Russia has shown great concern over US attempt to expand its military presence to the territories, where Moscow considers as its own influence sphere.
Jackson also stressed the pullout of Russian military bases from Georgia is a significant concern for Europe and Russia should abide by earlier agreements.
Russia has maintained its troops in Georgia since the Soviet era. It has removed two military bases from the former Soviet republic under an agreement achieved with Georgia in 1999 but has left two others in operation. So far the two sides have not reached any agreement on the dates of the withdrawal of the remained bases.
Washington has urged Russia to withdraw its military bases from Georgia. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Lynn Pascoe said on Tuesday that Washington is ready to fund the withdrawal.
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