From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Wed Dec 20 2000 - 11:07:04 EST
GEORGIA ENVISAGES JOINING NATO BY 2004
Summarizing a recent conference in Tbilisi on security in the South Caucasus
jointly organized by NATO and the Georgian Foreign Ministry,
Shevardnadze told journalists on 18 December he believes
Georgia could be admitted to NATO within three or four years,
ITAR-TASS reported. He admitted that at present the Georgian
armed forces do not meet the alliance's standards and
requirements. Also on 18 December, Iranian state radio
criticized the Tbilisi conference as another step by NATO to
expand its influence in the South Caucasus. LF
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