For educational purposes:
"Russian involvement in the Caucasus is proving unpopular with the
Georgian public [AFP]
Russia is ready to use "military means" to protect its residents if
war breaks out in the Georgian separatist provinces of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia, a foreign ministry official said.
Valery Kenyaikin was also critical of the US role in helping to
resolve the conflict, which threatens to destabilise the entire
strategic South Caucasus region.
Kenyaikin said: "If a military conflict develops, then we will have to
react, including with military means. We are ready to defend our
citizens."
Georgia accuses Russia of trying to annex the territory by supporting
separatist forces and encouraging residents to take up Russian
citizenship. Most people in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have Russian
passports.
Kenyaikin's comments were Moscow's sharpest warning so far to Georgia
in its standoff with the two breakaway regions.
He said: "We don't plan anything of a military character, but should
military conflicts break out on one side or another, then the
initiator of these conflicts should be assured that Russia will take
all possible measures to defend the interests of its countrymen and
its citizens."
Kenyaikin also alleged that Georgia was massing military forces along
the administrative border that separates it from Abkhazia.
The build-up "can only mean preparations for military action ...
possibly in the near future. This can't be ruled out," he said.
'No confidence'
Kenyaikin is in charge of relations with former Soviet states, and
said he has "no confidence" that Washington is working in any way to
resolve the standoff.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, initiated closer ties with both
provinces, prompting international condemnation and outrage in
Tbilisi.
According to Georgy Baramidze, Georgia's deputy prime minister, Russia
has "crossed the line" and committed "a dangerous and provocative act"
which could "destabilise the whole region".
Another flare-up occurred on April 20 when an unmanned Georgian spy
plane was shot down. Georgia blames Russia, which says that Abkhaz
rebels were responsible.
Georgia's pro-Western government is trying to join Nato, but the
unresolved conflicts in the two northern provinces are part of the
reason that the alliance has decided to delay putting the ex-Soviet
republic on the path to membership.
Georgia says Russia is artificially stirring up the conflicts to
weaken its independence, but Moscow accuses the Georgians of being the
aggressors."
....
Perhaps Georgia should just send in its armies to arrest those Abkhas
traitors and russian spies..
I think I would. Should take about 6 hours to do the whole thing.. and
have them in prison before breakfast.
Source: Agencies
Related:
UN to discuss Georgia-Russia row
(22 Apr 2008)
Russia 'downs Georgian drone'
(21 Apr 2008)
Putin to lift Georgia sanctions
(18 Apr 2008)
Russian 'annexation' angers Georgia
(16 Apr 2008)
Russia rules out new Cold War
(04 Apr 2008)
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B88C1EE1-BFDB-4E20-AABB-329CB0A409B4.htm
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