Georgia warns Russia: recognition of Abkhazia would be “declaration of war”
November 14
By Alexander Ward
Senior Georgian politicians have warned Russia against formally recognizing the independence of the breakaway region of Abkhazia, after Tbilisi issued claims that Moscow has stepped up its military presence in the conflict zone.
State Minister for Conflict Resolution Davit Bakradze declared on November 12 that Russia has deployed five tanks, five rocket launchers, five military vehicles and seven howitzers, along with at least 200 additional troops, in the conflict zone.
However, this was immediately denied by Russian military officials, who described Bakradze’s statements as “plain lies” and “an act of provocation against Russian peacekeepers.”
In a televised parliamentary session on November 13, senior Georgian MPs said that Russian recognition of an independent Abkhazia would be considered a “declaration of war.”
Givi Targamadze, chair of the parliamentary Defense and Security Committee, commented that Georgia would be ready to act if Russia took this step. “We will meet this challenge,” he said.
Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze stated that Abkhazia would in the near future “be not only de jure, but also a de facto inseparable part of Georgia.”
“There are many more legitimate reasons for breaking [Russia] up than for breaking up Georgia,” she added.
Kote Gabashvili, chair of the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, said the threat posed by a possible Russian military buildup in the conflict zone should not be underestimated.
“I want everyone to understand fully just what level of danger we’re talking about,” Gabashvili said.
On November 13, Bakradze promised he would distribute documents proving his claims that Russia has increased its military presence in Abkhazia to foreign embassies in Georgia, according to Prime News.
Speaking at a press conference the same day, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza said that his government is not in a position to confirm or deny claims of a Russian military buildup in the secessionist region.
But he added that his government had raised the issue with Moscow and it had been made clear “that we expect our Russian colleagues to abide by their commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity.”
State Minister for Conflict Resolution Davit Bakradze declared on November 12 that Russia has deployed five tanks, five rocket launchers, five military vehicles and seven howitzers, along with at least 200 additional troops, in the conflict zone.
However, this was immediately denied by Russian military officials, who described Bakradze’s statements as “plain lies” and “an act of provocation against Russian peacekeepers.”
In a televised parliamentary session on November 13, senior Georgian MPs said that Russian recognition of an independent Abkhazia would be considered a “declaration of war.”
Givi Targamadze, chair of the parliamentary Defense and Security Committee, commented that Georgia would be ready to act if Russia took this step. “We will meet this challenge,” he said.
Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze stated that Abkhazia would in the near future “be not only de jure, but also a de facto inseparable part of Georgia.”
“There are many more legitimate reasons for breaking [Russia] up than for breaking up Georgia,” she added.
Kote Gabashvili, chair of the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, said the threat posed by a possible Russian military buildup in the conflict zone should not be underestimated.
“I want everyone to understand fully just what level of danger we’re talking about,” Gabashvili said.
On November 13, Bakradze promised he would distribute documents proving his claims that Russia has increased its military presence in Abkhazia to foreign embassies in Georgia, according to Prime News.
Speaking at a press conference the same day, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza said that his government is not in a position to confirm or deny claims of a Russian military buildup in the secessionist region.
But he added that his government had raised the issue with Moscow and it had been made clear “that we expect our Russian colleagues to abide by their commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity.”