Russia to respond to Georgia diplomat expulsions

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia vowed on Wednesday to make an "adequate response" to Georgia's removal of three Russian diplomats from Tbilisi, signaling the possibility of tit-for-tat expulsions.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili accused Russia of stirring up civil unrest in the country and Tbilisi declared three Russian diplomats persona non grata.

The Kremlin dismissed the remarks as "anti-Russian hysteria".

"In Moscow we are evaluating this step by the Georgian administration as a politically irresponsible provocation. An adequate response will be made to it," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its Web site.

Russia is concerned about instability close to its borders and considers Saakashvili's accusations as "anti-Russian hysteria", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters.

"Saakashvili's speech, the accusations against Russia, declaring several Russian diplomats persona non grata is anti-Russian hysteria -- there is no other way to call it," Peskov said by telephone.

"As to the Georgian president's beloved and repeated deliberations on democracy and human rights, today we have had a chance to see in what form they are displayed on the streets of Tbilisi," he said.

Georgian riot police fired tear gas and water cannon in clashes with Georgian opposition protestors who were demanding Saakashvili's resignation.

(Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Sami Aboudi)