Mutiny Attempt 'Under Control' Says Georgia's President
By VOA News
05 May 2009
Georgia's president, Mikheil Saakashvili, says a mutiny in a tank battalion based near Tbilisi is now under control.
He says the government is taking the rebellion seriously, but that it is an isolated incident.
Earlier Tuesday, Georgia's Defense Ministry said a rebellion aimed at overthrowing the government was under way at a base outside the capital. Officials said the uprising was backed by Russia.
Georgia said the uprising was an attempt to disrupt NATO military exercises in the country set to begin Wednesday
Last month Moscow urged NATO to postpone military exercises in Georgia, but NATO refused to delay the military drills.
NATO said the exercises were planned last year. The drills will be aimed at improving coordination between NATO members and their partner countries and will involve 1,300 troops from 19 countries
Russia sees neighboring Georgia as part of its sphere of influence and sent troops into the country after Georgians tried to retake the breakaway South Ossetia region last year.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
