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U.S. not to deploy military base in Georgia: Georgian defense minister

Georgia Materials 20 February 2009 10:29 (UTC +04:00)

Georgia, Tbilisi, Feb. 20 / Trend , N.Kirtzkhalia/

The U.S. does not intend to deploy a base in Georgia, Georgian Defense Minister Vasil Sikharulidze said while commenting on media reports that the Manas military base may be transferred to Georgia or Turkey.

"The U.S. will not deploy military bases in Georgia," the minister said. "Georgia is only prepared to offer airspace to NATO aircrafts to fly to Afghanistan."

Sikharulidze also said Georgia is ready to send soldiers to Afghanistan as Tbilisi's contribution to the joint struggle against terrorism.

"But we do not yet know where and with which country the peacekeeping mission will be conducted. This is a topic for negotiations with NATO," he said.

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