Tensions Rise Over Georgia's Sea Blockade Of Abkhazia

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(RFE/RL) -- The leader of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia has threatened to destroy any Georgian ship entering Abkhazia's "territorial waters."

"I issued an order to our navy to destroy Georgian ships violating Abkhazia's sea border," Sergei Bagapsh told Interfax. "This step has been motivated by unending acts of piracy by Georgia."

It is the strongest threat to date from Bagapsh in an escalating war of words over Tbilisi's efforts to impose a sea blockade on the territory.

The blockade was imposed after the Russia-Georgia war one year ago. Abkhazia was not directly involved in the hostilities but took the occasion to declare independence and its sovereignty was guaranteed by Russia.

In response to Bagapsh, Tbilisi said it would hold Russia, which controls Abkhazia's borders and coastline, responsible for any attacks on its ships.

"Abkhazia's navy does not exist," Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said.

"There are no Abkhaz territorial waters, as these waters belong to Georgia. If there is an attack on Georgian ships, Russia would be responsible, not the separatist government."

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, told journalists before a government meeting in Tbilisi on September 2 that other officials will comment on Bagapsh statements in due course.

"The Prosecutor-General's Office, the Interior Ministry and the Justice Ministry [instead of the Foreign Ministry] will comment on Bagapsh's statements, because a criminal should be sitting in a jail and [he] definitely will be in a Georgian jail," Vashadze said.

The head of the parliamentary Committee for Eurointegration, Davit Darchiashvili, told RFE/RL's Georgian Service that officials also will alert Georgia's allies and international organizations of the brewing crisis.

"This issue has to be brought to [international] attention at every level," Darchiashvili said. "On the level of friendly governments, of course, but also on the level of international organizations of which Georgia is a partner, for example, NATO. And Georgia will definitely address the NATO Council or UN or OSCE or the European Union."

Georgia's Blockade

The ratcheting up of tensions over the blockade comes after a Georgian court on September 1 sentenced a Turkish sea captain to 24 years in prison for trying to deliver fuel to Abkhazia in breach of the Georgian economic blockade.

The court in Kutaisi found Mehmet Coskun Ozturk, captain of the Turkish tanker "Buket," guilty of "illegal crossing of the Georgian border and smuggling."

Judge Vakhtang Todia told RFE/RL that Ozturk had been involved in numerous illegal crossings of Georgian territorial waters before his ship was seized last month.

Georgia says it detained the tanker in Georgian waters on its way from Turkey to Abkhazia's capital Sukhumi with a cargo of gasoline aboard. The "Buket" is now impounded in the Georgian port of Poti.

The ship's operator says it was seized at gunpoint in international waters.

By itself, the case of the "Buket" might not seem enough to produce the bitter charges being traded now between Tbilisi and Sukhumi.

But Georgia says it is just the latest incident in a pattern of blockade-running. Tbilisi says it has detained four ships delivering goods to Abkhazia this year, including two within several days of each other late last month. And, much more dangerously for regional stability, Moscow appears increasingly involved in the blockade row.

Russian Involvement

The deputy head of Russian border guards, Lieutenant General Yevgeny Inchin, said on August 28 his forces would ensure the safety of merchant ships entering Abkhaz waters. He did not specify how.

That threat was followed by what appeared to be an effort to dampen tensions slightly as Bagapsh announced that the breakaway region has its own naval capability and would not call upon Russian ships to attack Georgian ships entering its "territorial waters."

"I want to stress that we are talking exclusively about the Abkhaz Navy," Bagapsh told Interfax. "Russia's navy is not being used and will not be used to carry out this task."

Still, there is no doubt Moscow is capable -- and perhaps ready -- to intervene should the blockade running grow into a shooting incident.

Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi remain at an abysmal low following the war in August last year.

That war began with exchanges of artillery fire across the border of another breakaway region, South Ossetia, and ended with a brief, partial Russian occupation of Georgia proper.

Both South Ossetia and Abkhazia are today vassal states of Russia, though Tbilisi and the West regard them legally as part of Georgia's territory.

The danger now is that virtually any spark could reignite hostilities because enmities remain so high.

Both Tbilisi and Moscow have sent strong signals in recent days of a bellicose mood.

Russia said last month it intends to spend some $489 million to reinforce Abkhazia's borders and strengthen Russian military operations there.

RFE/RL's Russian Service reports that Russian forces have a base in the Abkhaz city of Gudauta and are building facilities for another base in the port city of Ochamchire. There are believed to be some 4,000-5,000 Russian troops in Abkhazia.

New, Hard-Line Minister

Meanwhile, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili last week replaced his defense minister, saying he wasn't satisfied with the military's combat readiness.

He appointed Bacho Akhalaya to replace David Sikharulidze, who himself became defense minister just over eight months ago in a cabinet shake-up following Georgia's war with Russia.

Akhalaya, 28, is widely seen in Georgia as a hard-liner ready to use force for political ends.

He is a former head of the Penitentiary Department who has been accused by opposition leaders and human rights groups of presiding over death squads subordinate to the Interior Ministry that carried out extra-judicial killings.

Akhalaya, who denies such charges, says he sees the priorities of the Defense Ministry as "modernization, peace, and integration with NATO."

Georgia had better be careful as Russia says they'll defend Abkhazia, and sink Georgian vessels. Georgia more or less says "# off, it's our waters".

Abkhazia threatens Georgian ships as possibility of Black Sea naval skirmish rises

"Sergey Bagapsh, president of the Russian-backed statelet of Abkhazia, warned on Wednesday his tiny navy would "destroy" any Georgian vessels straying into Abkhaz territorial waters.

His dramatic threat followed Georgia's recent seizure of several cargo vessels on their way to and from Abkhazia. In an interview with Russian news agency Interfax, Mr Bagapsh described the seizures as "piracy," requiring what he called an "adequate response."

Georgia contends it's well within its rights to seize such vessels. It does not recognize Abkhazia's independence (only Russia and Nicaragua do) and insists it should retain control of sea traffic in the area."

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Russia warns Georgia against Abkhaz 'sea blockade'

"MOSCOW — A Russian official has warned Georgia that attempts to block ships from reaching a Moscow-aligned separatist region of Georgia could end in military intervention.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko did not make any specific threats in televised comments Thursday but said that "attempts to install a sea blockade" on Abkhazia "could lead to a serious armed incident."

Separatist authorities say Georgia has halted 23 ships in Black Sea waters near Abkhazia this year. Georgia claims they entered the region illegally.

A Georgian court sentenced a Turkish cargo ship captain to 24 years in prison Monday for smuggling and border violations."

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Which side is setting up a war this time???

[edit on 3-9-2009 by john124]

Though Obama seems to be no different than Bush on most policies, I hope this is one that he will change.

Georgia has the capability to start a war with Russia just like supporting another American puppet, israel, has started with Arabs.

The last thing we need is another israel starting wars that Americans will end up fighting.

EDIT to add:

Though is different than israel in the way that israel wants Arabs out while Georgia is trying to get these guys back in lol.

[edit on 3-9-2009 by breakingdradles]

So, correct me if I am wrong:

Georgia breaks of from Russia, and befriends NATO and play the victim card.
Now, Abkahzia wants to break off from Georgia and befriend Russia?

How is that wrong? There's something fishy going on, in some way or another. Georgia "got told" not so long ago, yet they still try to flaunt some muscle? I mean, if I got the # kicked out of me, then i wouldn't try to pick a fight unless i has some dirty tricks/secrets. Something's not quite right in this conflict.

Also, bu following the logic of break-away republics, they themselves should be more than open to a separatist country IMO

reply to post by breakingdradles


Why the heck are you trying to spin this into an Isreal/Arab thread?

Originally posted by K-Raz
reply to post by breakingdradles

 

Why the heck are you trying to spin this into an Isreal/Arab thread?

I was comparing Georgia to israel!

Please do not try to turn this into an Arab vs israel thread K Raz.

If anything YOUR post was completely off topic.

I merely stated that they might bring us into a war also, you know, the topic of the thread.

I didn't realize that I couldn't compare one crazy American run country to another if the other happens to be israel.

I forgot it's a forbidden word, as there wasn't even a israel vs Arab element to my post, my apologies.

You obviously didn't read my post and posted out of sheer passion, it's ok Raz, let it out buddy



And your post was only one line. tsk tsk

Now back to on topic debates:

If a people want to become part of another country, does their original country have the right to make them obey? Last time the did this by night time missile attacks, is this smart to do to people you want to be back in your country?

It perplexes me

[edit on 3-9-2009 by breakingdradles]

Abkhazia relies on Russia to fight Georgia

The authorities in Abkhazia are ready to use weapons to stop Georgia’s “piracy” in its territorial waters. Many analysts have expressed fears it may draw Moscow into a new conflict with Tbilisi.

Many analysts, however, doubt that Abkhazia has enough potential to conduct military operations against a Georgian fleet, which is also estimated as weak. However, Moskovsky Komsomolets writes that Abkhazia’s navy at the beginning of 2007 numbered two big motor ships, several speed-boats and patrol ships. “Since that time the republic’s fleet has increased,” the daily added.

As for the Georgian navy, its potential has also been strengthened recently thanks to other countries, the daily noted, explaining Tbilisi’s increased activity at sea. Only a year ago the situation was different: Russian marines during the conflict over South Ossetia destroyed Georgia’s navy in the port of Poti, including flagship missile boat Dioskuria, the paper said.

Meanwhile, many observers believe Russian coastguards will be involved in operations against Georgian ships. Navy analyst Mikhail Barabanov told Vedomosti daily that, according to the agreement between Moscow and Sukhum, Russian coastguards will protect the maritime borders of Abkhazia.

Barabanov’s words have been confirmed by deputy head of the Russian frontier troops Evgeny Inchin. He said Russian guards would help protect ships bound for Abkhazia, especially taking into consideration the preparation for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrey Nesterenko said on September 3 that Tbilisi’s capturing of Abkhazia-bound vessels is “nothing other than an outrageous violation of the Law of the Sea Convention of 1982 and acts of international lawlessness.” The continuation of this practice may lead to violence, Nesterenko warned Tbilisi.

The Russian media also quote Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba as saying that Sukhum would speak about Georgia’s piracy at the Geneva talks on security in the South Caucasus scheduled for September 17-18.

If this effort brings no results, Abkhazia may use force. Moreover, if the international community does not demand that Georgia “stop piracy,” Sukhum might not send its delegation to Geneva, Vremya Novostey daily wrote.

Shamba also mentioned the agreements between Moscow and Sukhum. Russia has recognized Abkhazia and can help the republic in protecting its maritime borders, Moskovsky Komsomolets said. “However, open participation of our navy in the actions against Georgian coast guards is now undesirable, because this will provoke a negative reaction in the West,” the paper added.

At the same time, Tbilisi is playing a dangerous game in the region by halting foreign boats, observers note. The main question is “how far is Tbilisi ready to go in provoking a new conflict?” Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily writes.

“Now, everyone in the region understands: any attempts to capture a merchant vessel in Abkhazia’s territorial waters, irrespective of the fact if Tbilisi recognizes this republic or not, will lead to serious confrontation,” the paper stressed.

However, the Georgian president “might rely upon just such a conflict to return the fading interest in his country in the international community,” Rossiyskaya Gazeta said.

Georgia’s Minister of Reintegration Temuri Yakobashvili, in his turn, said that Russia’s possible actions protecting ships that enter “Georgian territorial waters” would be considered as “piracy.” Shipping cargoes to Abkhazia by sea without Tbilisi’s permission is “a violation of Georgia’s laws,” he told Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily.

“Georgia states that it is not against ships carrying cargoes to Abkhazia, but says they may do it only after Tbilisi’s permission,” Vremya Novostey said. “But this approach is not acceptable for Abkhazians.”

Many ship-owners might rethink sending vessels to the “troubled waters” in the present situation, some analysts believe because of the high risks. Such developments will not be advantageous to Tbilisi.

“If Georgia is trying to prevent Russian ships to [Abkhazian] waters, it may lead to a serious confrontation,” Georgian military analyst Irakly Sesiashvili told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. And in the case of a conflict, “the Georgian economy will suffer,” he said. “The appearance of Russians in Georgian waters will scare away private companies from the port of Poti,” he added.

The Russian military hope that the situation will not lead to a new confrontation in the Caucasus. A source in the Russian border guard troops told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that if Georgia “halts ships in neutral waters or in the waters of Abkhazia, the sovereignty of which has been recognized by Russia, then it is considered piracy.”

Russia is responsible for Abkhazia’s security, the source said. “I hope that the Georgian authorities would be wise enough so as not to repeat at sea mistakes which they made on the ground a year ago,” he added.