Georgia's Leader Is Keen to Move On

[La_Serpiente]

Georgia's Leader Is Keen to Move On

TBILISI, Georgia -- Georgia's new leader, Mikheil Saakashvili, received a pat on the back from U.S. President George W. Bush for his landslide election victory, as his foreign minister traveled for talks in Moscow in part of an effort to improve strained relations with Russia.

Georgian Foreign Minister Tedo Japaridze met Thursday in Moscow with Colonel-General Yury Baluyevsky, the first deputy of the General Staff, to discuss a disputed timetable for withdrawing the Russian troops that remain in Georgia as a Soviet holdover.

No decisions were made, Itar-Tass and Interfax reported, as Defense Ministry officials appeared to rule out a speedy withdrawal.

Bush telephoned Saakashvili Wednesday and congratulated him on his victory, Georgian government spokesman Georgy Arvaladze said.

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Georgia's Leader Is Keen to Move On