Abkhaz Leader Has Ordered Army To Sink Any Georgian Ships In Its Waters, page 2

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reply posted on 20-12-2005 @ 02:03 AM by Hellmutt

The russian troops stationed in Abkhazia as peacekeepers were just replaced by other russians. Georgia protested after some controversial footage was shown on russian tv, and the protest caused the russians to rotate their troops. In the footage a russian peacekeeper said the peacekeepers were told that Abkhazia has always been an independent state and was a part of Georgia just for the last 30-40 years.

Civil Georgia: Russia Rotates Peacekeepers in Abkhazia

2005-12-19

Russia rotated its troops stationed in the Abkhaz conflict zone under the aegis of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on December 19, Itar-Tass news agency reported.

This rotation of Russian peacekeepers was preceded by Tbilisi’s protest regarding the controversial footage broadcasted by the Russian TV company NTV.

The story broadcasted by Russian NTV was about the rotation of Russian peacekeepers in breakaway Abkhazia. A Russian peacekeeper said in the story that during a brief course of lectures given to peacekeepers they were told that Abkhazia was always an independent state and was only integrated into Georgia within 30-40 years.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

The article doesn´t tell if the new russians were told a different story...

reply posted on 8-1-2006 @ 12:17 AM by Hellmutt

Some 40 Abkhaz armed "criminals" invaded the Georgian village Otobaia. They robbed the local population there and the "people are seized with panic and would not dare to leave houses". They say "Russian peacekeepers do nothing to protect the Georgian population"...

Daily Georgian Times: Abkhazian Criminals Raid Gali Population

07.01.2006

The Abkhaz criminals have been robbing the local population of the village of Otobaia of the Georgian Abkhazian conflict zone for two days, Prime-News was told by the local habitant who preferred to stay anonymous. According to the source, an armed group of forty criminals invaded the village on the Friday-Saturday Orthodox Xmas overnight.

The village of Otobaia is considered as one of the well-off villages of the conflict zone. Presently, the local population is harvesting citruses.

Citruses...

reply posted on 8-1-2006 @ 12:37 AM by Nygdan

This ongoing development is fascinating. Also, just to note, I don't think that i'd see this story at all if not on ATS, look at how long its been going on for and I haven't seen it anywhere in the mainstream news.

Just a quick question, do you think that the Russians are supporting the Abkhazii because they are merely sharing a border with them, and thus might merge with russia if they get independence, or is there some other reason why they favour the rebels? Seems like if they came down on the rebels they could have more influence in georgia.

reply posted on 8-1-2006 @ 03:54 AM by Hellmutt

I´m no expert on this area, Nygdan. But I think much if not most of the population in Abkhazia are Russians or from Russian origin. Georgia had the Rose-revolution and is now backed by the US. And the US backed pipeline running through Georgia from Azerbaijan is competing with Russian pipelines ("reducing dependence on Russian pipelines and avoiding Iran"). The cold war might be "over" but it´s not quite over yet. Hopefully someone from this area or someone with more knowledge about this situation can chime in here and tell us some more?

Gigantic Oil Pipeline From Caspian Sea Opened Today

reply posted on 16-1-2006 @ 11:54 PM by Hellmutt

Georgia says the violence in Abkhazia´s Gali district may lead to "highly irreversible consequences". Abkhazian leader Sergey Bagapsh claim the "armed criminals" are actually Georgian special services working undercover. And the Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPKF) involving Georgian, Ossetian and Russian peacekeepers, and OSCE observers confiscated an anti-aircraft gun from South Ossetia. The South Ossetian Defense Minister Anatoly Barankevich said that their Ministry of Defense is ordered to down any "unauthorized" flying object over South Ossetia"...

Civil Georgia: Tbilisi Warns of 'Irreversible Consequences' in Gali

2006-01-16

Georgian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that growing tensions in the breakaway Abkhazia’s Gali district, involving kidnappings and violent attacks against the locals, “may lead to highly irreversible consequences.”

Civil Georgia: Sokhumi Blames Tbilisi for Criminality in Gali

2006-01-16

Abkhazian leader Sergey Bagapsh expressed concern regarding the deteriorating security conditions in the predominantly Georgian-populated Gali district of Abkhazia and accused the Georgian side of trying to destabilize situation there

Bagapsh said that Georgian armed gangs are operating in Gali district under the cover of the Georgian special services. Interior Minister of breakaway region Otar Khetsia also accused the Georgian side of being behind the criminal gangs in the Gali district.

Civil Georgia: Reports: Anti-Aircraft Gun Confiscated from S.Ossetia

2006-01-16

Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system ZU 23-3 and mobile radio station belonging to the Defense Ministry forces of the breakaway South Ossetia was confiscated by the Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPKF)

According to this report, anti-aircraft system was installed in the village of Dmenisi and was found as a result of a monitoring carried out by the JPKF, involving Georgian, Ossetian and Russian peacekeepers, and OSCE observers on January 13-14.

“Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili has announced for several times about the plans to arrive in the villages of South Ossetia on helicopter. The Ministry of Defense of South Ossetia is ordered to down any flying object conducting unauthorized flights over South Ossetia and helicopter of Okruashvili will not be an exception,” Anatoly Barankevich said.

reply posted on 24-1-2006 @ 09:33 PM by Hellmutt

I just found this. It´s very interesting, check it out. A basic learning to "forgotten wars".

Basic Learning: Forgotten Wars (Soj)

24.01.06

Country: Republic of Georgia

Combatants: Gov't vs. South Ossetia, gov't vs. Abkhazia

Current Status: Occasional flare-ups of activity, including skirmishes, cross-border raids and shelling.

Reason for Conflict: After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, three regions, Abkhazia, S. Ossetia and Adjara declared themselves to be independent states. In 2004, the self-declared autonomous republic of Adjara (the majority of which is and was ethnic Georgian) was neutralized and the region is now part of Georgia proper. Both S. Ossetia and Abkhazia continue to function as de facto independent states. Abakhazia is populated by a majority of ethnic Abkhaz and Russians. S. Ossetia is populated by ethnic Ossetians, ethnic Georgians and ethnic Russians. There was widespread ethnic cleansing and civilian population transfers during the wars.

[more...]

Click the link to see the full version with the rest of the details...

"Widespread ethnic cleansing"...

[edit on 2006/4/23 by Hellmutt]

reply posted on 26-1-2006 @ 05:07 PM by The Vagabond

Originally posted by Nygdan
Can't they just focus on Chechyna for a while?

I think that's what they're trying to do- they see the Caucasus as a life-line for the Chechens, and members of the NATO partnership for peace there as potential future adversaries.

I'm very very nervous about the timing of this business since Russia currently has interests in Iran and there is perhaps trouble brewing in Israel- which is quite possibly the biggest threat to the Iranian nuclear program.

Wars are coming- whether or not Russia takes a stand will determine whether they are historically viewed as a series of small wars or a single large war.

reply posted on 26-1-2006 @ 05:57 PM by Nygdan

Its really incredible to see all the things that the russians and possibly their proxies are doing these days, between the shut down and possible sabotage of oil piplines, the attempted assasinations of opposition leaders in former satellite republics, and the centralization of the russian governmental power, its pretty strange to watch it all. It seems to receive practically no press too,

reply posted on 14-2-2006 @ 10:08 PM by Hellmutt

Maybe something will happen today? The Russians say that Georgia will pass a resolution today (Feb 15th) to demand the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from South Ossetia. The Russians warns of "serious consequences". And as we know Abkhazia and South Ossetia has a military alliance (mentioned on page one).

Civil Georgia: Russian Embassy Warns of ‘Serious Consequences’

The Russian Embassy in Georgia warned on Monday that “unilateral actions” over the Russian peacekeepers issues “might have the most serious consequences for the process of normalization of Russian-Georgian relations and for stability in the region,” the Georgian media sources reported.

In a statement issued on February 13, the Russian Embassy said that there are all signs that the Georgian Parliament will pass a resolution on February 15 demanding the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from South Ossetia. That is why Russian Ambassador to Georgia Vladimir Chkhikvishvili did not deem it necessary to attend parliamentary committee hearings on Monday, “just two days before the adoption of a resolution, which is already stamped.”

Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said that although the Russian Ambassador was invited, he did not attend the session. “I think his absence was not a good message,” Burjanadze said.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

In other news, Georgia accuses Russia of selling rockets to Abkhazia.

BakuToday: Georgia Accuses Russia of Selling Missiles to Abkhazia

14/02/2006

Georgian Defense Minister Irakly Okruashvili displayed a Strela missile to television cameras and legislators, saying it had been delivered to an Abkhaz town from a Russian military base in southern Georgia.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

reply posted on 15-2-2006 @ 02:16 AM by SportyMB

I would not take Russsia's threats of “unilateral actions” very serious. The Russians are bluffing, they know the the U.S. has much invested in Georgia...especially in recent years with the all the money that has been given to the Georgian Army, Georgian Customs and the start up of SSOP (Security & Stability Operations Program), also known as GTEP (Georgia Trainging and Equip program (ended in 2005).

Georgia is Americas future Turkey, a place to set up Airbases, station troops awaiting deployment, store gear and maybe oneday have a fully operational US military base in a very strategic location that would greatly benefit the US.

[edit on 15/2/2006 by SportyMB]

reply posted on 15-2-2006 @ 06:52 PM by Hellmutt

As expected...

The Georgian parliament decided today to replace Russian "peacekeepers" in South Ossetia with a multinational force. Russia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia are not happy. However, it seems like the Russians are not going to withdraw anyway. They refuse. And South Ossetia say they will impose visa requirements for all Georgians including the Georgian peacekeeping battalion. The armed forces on both sides are on high alert.

Interfax: Moscow fears destabilization in Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone (Feb 15 2006)

RIA Novosti: Russia to keep peacekeepers in Georgia despite resolution (15.02.2006)

RIA Novosti: Georgia to replace Russian peacekeepers with international forces (15.02.2006)

Civil Georgia: South Ossetian leader Comments on Peacekeepers (2006-02-15)

Civil Georgia: Moscow Concerned over Georgian Parliament's Resolution (2006-02-16)

Civil Georgia: Parliament Passes Resolution on Peacekeepers (2006-02-15)

RFERL.org: Russian Minister Slams Georgia Over Peacekeepers (15 February 2006)

Kommersant: Georgia and Ossetia Move In Troops (Feb. 10, 2006)

The Russia Journal: Georgian MP criticizes Russian foreign minister’s comments (Feb 15, 2006)

The Georgian Daily Times: Russo Blue Helmets Beefing up Checkpoints in Tskhinvali Region (15.02.06)

reply posted on 9-3-2006 @ 05:54 AM by Hellmutt

Three men and a seven-year-old girl has been shot and killed in Abkhazia. They were all civilians. Abkhazia blames "Georgian armed groups" for this attack...

Civil Georgia: Four Die in Gali Shooting

2006-03-08

Three men and a seven-year-old girl died and one man was injured after unknown armed group opened fire to two vehicles moving in the village of Saberio in the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia on March 8, Russian news agencies reported.

Interior Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Otar Khatsia told Interfax news agency that all the victims were civilians.

The Abkhaz side has already blamed unspecified Georgian armed groups of this attack.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

And there will be another "large-scale" military exercise in Abkhazia, March 21-24.

Civil Georgia: Abkhazia Prepares for Large-Scale Maneuvers

Military exercises with the participation of 4000 reserve troops, air forces, artillery and two motorized rifle brigades will take place in breakaway Abkhazia on March 21-24, the Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported.

reply posted on 7-4-2006 @ 10:32 AM by SportyMB

www.civil.ge...
Saakashvili Ready to Meet Abkhaz Leaders
President Saakashvili said on April 7 that he is ready to meet with the Abkhaz leadership, but added that the talks might take place only “under the condition of receiving concrete outcomes.”

“We continue peace talks. I am ready for meeting with them [referring to Abkhaz leadership], but I am ready to meet with a concrete program without any preconditions, with a concrete demands and under conditions of receiving concrete outcomes,” Saakashvili said.

The outcome of this meeting, if there is one, will say alot about what's to come of this entire issue. Hopefully they'll get on with it soon and post the results

But judgeing by Saakishvili's "concreteness" and the conditions he wants to meet under, I think it will be a my way or the highway meeting....

Later

[edit on 7/4/2006 by SportyMB]

reply posted on 18-4-2006 @ 07:54 PM by SportyMB

A little off topic, but definately of major importance to the Georgian economy.

Georgian Defense Minister, Irakli Okruashvili has a new mission to promote the international of Georgian wine.

www.civil.ge
“I have instructed Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli to be in charge of [the promotion of] Georgian wine on domestic and CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] markets; this will be his primary goal until Russia lifts its embargo [on imports of Georgian wine]. I have also instructed Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili to take charge of issues related to the export of Georgian wine to new foreign markets,” Saakashvili said.

All this is after a recent ban put on by Russia for all Georgian and Moldovan wines.

Wine is one of the largest industries in Georgia. This ban will surely be a huge economic blow for Georgia, especially for some of the wine areas, like Telavi and other eastern Georgian cities.

Okruashvili Comments on New Assignment

EDIT: Looks like a ban on Georgian water is next

[edit on 18/4/2006 by SportyMB]

reply posted on 19-4-2006 @ 08:49 AM by Hellmutt

A mortar shell exploded near a police station in a Georgian village late night April 17. The mortar shell was fired from South Ossetian territory. The South Ossetians claim they're innocent and blame it on "Georgian elements who tries to destabilize the situation in area". The Georgian Ministry of Defense has requested the JPKF to probe into the shelling.

Civil Georgia: Tbilisi Asks JPKF to Probe into South Ossetia Shelling

2006-04-19

The Georgian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said it has requested the Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPKF) stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone to probe into the late night shelling which occurred in the Georgian village of Vanati on April 17.

A mortar shell “fired from the Dmenisi village, which is under the South Ossetian side’s control” exploded near the police station in the village, according to the Georgian MoD. But the South Ossetian side rejected these allegations and said that it was a provocation by the Georgian side, “which aims at destabilizing the situation” in the conflict zone.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

reply posted on 19-4-2006 @ 12:54 PM by Aelita

I'm not susprised that the mineral water impounded was counterfeit. It happened to a few brands of Russian vodka before. On the subject of wine, was there a possibility of pesticide contamination? Definitely.

And of course there was also a possiblity of collusion between authorities and various wine merchants who wanted to muscle out georgian wine and replace it with other products. Which is too bad.

reply posted on 28-4-2006 @ 05:41 PM by Hellmutt

The leaders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia met in Abkhazia today. They ratified a treaty on defence cooperation.

RFE/RL: Abkhazia, South Ossetia Agree On Defense Cooperation

April 28, 2006

Abkhazia and South Ossetia today ratified a September 2005 treaty aimed at strengthening ties between the two separatist Georgian republics.

The treaty envisages defense cooperation between the two republics

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Interfax: Leaders of Abkhazia, South Ossetia to meet

Apr 27 2006

The presidents of the Georgian separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are due to meet on Friday to explore ways of settling their conflicts with Georgia, the Abkhaz president's office told Interfax.

A delegation from the Moldovan breakaway region of Transdniestria is due in Abkhazia within days. The leaders of the three regions are expected to consider joint action.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

A delegation from Transdniester are going to Abkhazia to sign a cooperation agreement...

Interfax: Abkhazia to sign cooperation agreement with Transdniestria - president

Apr 28 2006

Abkhazia is preparing to sign an agreement on friendship and cooperation with the self-proclaimed republic of Transdniestria, Abkhaz president Sergei Bagapsh told journalists in Sukhumi on Friday.

"Transdniestria and Abkhazia already signed an agreement during the Georgian-Abkhaz armed conflict in 1993, but the new situation demands a new agreement," Bagapsh said.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Interfax refer to the leaders of the self-proclaimed republics as "Presidents" even though they're not really independent countries...

Related ATS Thread:
Tiraspol - Moldova - Mafia in Uniform

reply posted on 28-4-2006 @ 08:11 PM by Nygdan

This issue keeps building up into a potential serious problem. When/if it does boil over, there's going to be a lot of people saying 'Who'da seen it coming!"

reply posted on 3-5-2006 @ 02:47 AM by Hellmutt

Georgia might withdraw from CIS!

RFE/RL: Georgia Considering Withdrawal From CIS

May 2, 2006

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili today said his government will look into the possibility of withdrawing from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Georgia and Russia, which has banned imports of Georgian wine and spirits, a move Tbilisi says is politically motivated.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

reply posted on 6-5-2006 @ 09:25 AM by Hellmutt

The Abkhazian leader says there is no chance for Abkhazia reuniting with Georgia. The bitter history between Abkhazia and Georgia leaves no other option but independence for Abkhazia, he says. South Ossetia wants to join the Russian Federation while Georgia accuses Russia of stalling the peace process by siding with separatists.

RIA Novosti: Abkhazia says no chance for reuniting with Georgia

16:41 | 06/ 05/ 2006

The president of the self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazia said Saturday that there was no chance that the breakaway region would return to Georgia's control. Meeting with a NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation in the unrecognized republic's capital, Sukhumi, for talks on the future of Georgia-Abkhazia relations, Sergei Bagapsh said: "The bitter history of relations between Georgia and Abkhazia leaves no chance for the two countries' reunification in any legal framework." Abkhazia, in the northwest of Georgia, declared independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, which led to a bloody conflict in the Caucasus.

"There is no alternative to independence for the people of Abkhazia," he said.

The other unrecognized republic on Georgian soil, South Ossetia, announced earlier this year that it would ask Russia's Constitutional Court to allow it to join the Russian Federation and would present historical documents to back its claim. Georgia, which is seeking to bring the regions back under its control, has accused Russia of siding with separatists and stalling the peace process.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.