Georgia intercepts Russian convoy in disputed region
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MOSCOW (AFP) - Georgian troops intercepted a Russian convoy with arms on board headed for the disputed region of South Ossetia in a move likely to escalate tensions between Tbilisi and Moscow, Russian and Georgian media said.
A Russian defense ministry official called the incident Tuesday night a "provocation".
The interception represented a show of force by Georgia's new leadership, which is trying to win control over a territory that has proclaimed independence from Tbilisi and allegiance to Russia.
The Russian convoy included 10 trucks, two of which were carrying weapons, including several hundred missiles and other armaments, according to Russian media.
The Georgian troops released eight of the vehicles but confiscated the two carrying arms.
Georgia has repeatedly accused Russia of sneaking contraband into South Ossetia, a charge that Moscow denies.
The dispute has complicated relations that are already strained between the two neighbors because Georgia is seeking closer ties with the United States.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has been treading a cautious line between Russia and the United States in a geopolitical game over oil pipelines and military bases in the Caucasus.
Moscow has accused Georgia of refusing to crack down on alleged extremist bases in a lawless Georgian region bordering Russia. Tbilisi in response has accepted US troops to help train soldiers and police the region.
South Ossetia declared independence from Tbilisi in the early 1990s, after using Russia's help to expel Georgian troops following a brief war that broke out in the first years after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
It has effectively become a Russian protectorate, with most of its residents holding Russian passports, using rubles and relying on Russian peacekeepers to keep Tbilisi's troops at bay.
The region wants to become part of the Russian federation, hitching up with North Ossetia, with which it shares a border.
A Georgia está Pegando Fogo
Moderador: Conselho de Moderação
TAS40: SOUTH OSSETIA. JULY 7. A special forces detachment of defence ministry of South Ossetia leaves for patrolling roads leading to Georgian settlements. (Photo ITAR-TASS / Ruslan Kochiev)
TAS41: SOUTH OSSETIA. JULY 7. A special forces detachment of defence ministry of South Ossetia leaves for patrolling roads leading to Georgian settlements. (Photo ITAR-TASS / Ruslan Kochiev
TKVIAVI, GEORGIA: A South Ossetian soldier stands near the poster of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tkviavi, South Ossetia, 01 June 2004. Georgia moved some 400 troops up to the South Ossetia border 31 May 2004, as part of President Mikhail Saakashvili's bid to reunite his fractured republic. South Ossetia is seeking reunification with North Ossetia, which is now a part of Russia, and has refused closer ties with Georgia. AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
VANATI, GEORGIA: Russian soldiers of peacekeeping force install a tent at the just opened check-point near the South Ossetian village of Vanati, east of Tskhinvali, capital of the South Ossetia , 09 July 2004. Early 08 July, armed men entered in Vanati populated by ethnic Georgians, and disarmed a group of 30 to 40 Georgian members of a peacekeeping force stationed there. Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania described the raid on Vanati as "an unprecedented insolent provocation implemented personally by Ossetian separatist leader Eduard Kokoity." President Mikhail Saakashvili rushed back from a state visit to Iran to take charge of the situation after a group of separatists disarmed a unit of Georgian peacekeepers at gunpoint.
VANATI, GEORGIA: Russian soldiers of peacekeeping force patrol a road near the South Ossetian village of Vanati, east of Tskhinvali, capital of the South Ossetia , 09 July 2004.
They even had their badges removed ...
TSKHINVALI, GEORGIA: Georgian peacekeepers, who were detained and disarmed by South Ossetian forces, run in a peace zone not far from Tskhinvali, while they return into Georgia 09 July 2004.
TSKHINVALI, GEORGIA: Osetia's special forces soldier escorts a Georgian Interior Ministry soldier (wearing fatigues), who was detained and disarmed by South Ossetian forces, in Tskhinvali, 09 July 2004.
TSKHINVALI, GEORGIA: The commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces general Svyatoslav Nabzdorov (R) gestures as Georgian peacekeepers, who were detained and disarmed by South Ossetian forces, stand in a prison yard in Tskhinvali, the capital the Georgia's breakaway region, 09 July 2004.
Georgian peacekeepers, who were detained and disarmed by South Ossetian forces, stand in a prison yard in Tskhinvali, the capital the Georgia's breakaway region, Thursday, July 8, 2004. Forces of the breakaway South Ossetia region on Thursday detained and disarmed a group of Georgian peacekeepers and began searching an ethnic Georgian village in the region, Georgian authorities said. The moves sharply heightened tension between Georgia's central government and South Ossetia, which has run its own affairs _ without international recognition _ since a 1992 truce ended separatist fighting.
South Ossetian special forces ride atop a BRDM-2, armored scout vehicle, in downtown Tskhinvali, the capital of Georgia's breakaway region, Wednesday, July 7, 2004. Forces of the separatist South Ossetia region freed dozens of Georgia peacekeepers Friday July 9 2004, a day after forcibly disarming them and forcing them to kneel in a humiliating display that stoked tensions over the region.
Georgian soldiers stand guard at the entrance of a facility, which had been controlled the Russian military in Georgia with a Russian State Emblem at the gates, in this July 27, 2004 image from television made available Tuesday July 27, 2004. Russia's military lashed out at Georgia on Tuesday accusing its forces of seizing control of facilities in the former Soviet republic that remain in Russian hands in what the Defense Ministry called a serious violation of agreements.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Georgian forces have shelled residential quarters of the capital of the breakaway region of South Ossetia wounding two people, Russia's Interfax news agency quoted local officials as saying on Friday.
Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili has made restoring central authority over all Georgian territory a priority but the South Ossetia region is resisting efforts to end its 12-year-old self-proclaimed independence.
A Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman denied the attack on Tskhinvali and in turn accused South Ossetians of shelling villages populated by ethnic Georgians loyal to the central government. Interfax quoted South Ossetian president Eduard Kokoity as saying that the attack involving artillery and mortars started around 1900 GMT on Thursday evening and lasted two hours.
Kokoity also told Interfax that Georgian forces shelled several villages in the region. He said that Georgian forces also tried to enter the northern fringes of Tskhinvali, but were stopped by local militia.
"The massive attack on Tskhinvali is a beginning of a well planned aggression by Georgia," Kokoity said.
Georgian Interior ministry spokesman Guram Danadze said Georgian forces did not attack targets in South Ossetia.
"Ossetians were first to fire at Georgian villages but we did not reply," he said. "Now it is all quiet."
© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.
Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili has made restoring central authority over all Georgian territory a priority but the South Ossetia region is resisting efforts to end its 12-year-old self-proclaimed independence.
A Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman denied the attack on Tskhinvali and in turn accused South Ossetians of shelling villages populated by ethnic Georgians loyal to the central government. Interfax quoted South Ossetian president Eduard Kokoity as saying that the attack involving artillery and mortars started around 1900 GMT on Thursday evening and lasted two hours.
Kokoity also told Interfax that Georgian forces shelled several villages in the region. He said that Georgian forces also tried to enter the northern fringes of Tskhinvali, but were stopped by local militia.
"The massive attack on Tskhinvali is a beginning of a well planned aggression by Georgia," Kokoity said.
Georgian Interior ministry spokesman Guram Danadze said Georgian forces did not attack targets in South Ossetia.
"Ossetians were first to fire at Georgian villages but we did not reply," he said. "Now it is all quiet."
© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.
GEORGIA: EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORNS
Moscow, August 4. (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Romanov).
This week Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili will be awarded the prize of the American Bar Association, which recognises world leaders' contribution to strengthening law and order. The Georgian president is a man who has supported the supremacy of law, put an end to the legacy of corruption in his country and is an ardent supporter of legal reforms and peaceful changes in his country, Dennis Archer, the association's president, noted.
Meanwhile, the velvet revolution in Tbilisi is already a thing of the past. Although the festive roses are still standing on Georgian revolutionaries' table, their petals have fallen off and only thorns remain. Adzharia, after losing its profits and autonomy, and its former leader Aslan Abashidze, who left it voluntarily, has not made the rest of Georgia richer. On the contrary, it is also becoming as poor as the rest of Tbilisi-controlled lands. Mr Abashidze might have been a feudal lord, but he kept not only an elite dog nursery in good order, but also many cultural centres. And now the philharmonic society and the unique Adzharian children's opera theatre, which won even the hearts of Italian audiences, are eking out a miserable existence and closing.
Georgia has not defeated corruption, even less so, with its legacy, as Mr Archer believes. After arresting obvious swindlers, the former lawyer Mr Saakashvili merely introduced a system of letting hostages out on bail. In this way, the son-in-law of former Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze was released without facing trial. Moreover, new shady owners are setting their sights on the former leaders' confiscated property. Lastly, thanks to Mr Saakashvili - "an ardent supporter of peaceful changes" - the shooting has started in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Georgian side is not shooting at any potential enemy. In violation of all multilateral peace agreements, it is shooting at moving targets going in the direction of the "maverick" republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, disregarding the fact that there could be children behind these targets.
On Mr Saakashvili's orders, Abkhazia, a well-known resort in Soviet times where many Russians live and spend their vacations nowadays too, was blockaded from the sea. After the shelling of a peaceful boat that was heading for Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, the Georgian president not only failed to apologise for his navy, but actually banned Russian tourists from vacationing in Abkhazia. I cite the words of Saakashvili, the peacemaker: "If you want to come to Sukhumi by boat - you must accept what happened there several days ago when our warship opened fire at an intruder ship".
The president suggested that tourists wait until "all the pages of the tragic past are turned over" before enjoying the beauty of Abkhazian landscapes. Judging by Tbilisi's current policy, spa visitors will have to wait for a long time, whereas the martyrology of victims in the Caucasus may be continued.
Moscow, August 4. (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Romanov).
This week Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili will be awarded the prize of the American Bar Association, which recognises world leaders' contribution to strengthening law and order. The Georgian president is a man who has supported the supremacy of law, put an end to the legacy of corruption in his country and is an ardent supporter of legal reforms and peaceful changes in his country, Dennis Archer, the association's president, noted.
Meanwhile, the velvet revolution in Tbilisi is already a thing of the past. Although the festive roses are still standing on Georgian revolutionaries' table, their petals have fallen off and only thorns remain. Adzharia, after losing its profits and autonomy, and its former leader Aslan Abashidze, who left it voluntarily, has not made the rest of Georgia richer. On the contrary, it is also becoming as poor as the rest of Tbilisi-controlled lands. Mr Abashidze might have been a feudal lord, but he kept not only an elite dog nursery in good order, but also many cultural centres. And now the philharmonic society and the unique Adzharian children's opera theatre, which won even the hearts of Italian audiences, are eking out a miserable existence and closing.
Georgia has not defeated corruption, even less so, with its legacy, as Mr Archer believes. After arresting obvious swindlers, the former lawyer Mr Saakashvili merely introduced a system of letting hostages out on bail. In this way, the son-in-law of former Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze was released without facing trial. Moreover, new shady owners are setting their sights on the former leaders' confiscated property. Lastly, thanks to Mr Saakashvili - "an ardent supporter of peaceful changes" - the shooting has started in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Georgian side is not shooting at any potential enemy. In violation of all multilateral peace agreements, it is shooting at moving targets going in the direction of the "maverick" republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, disregarding the fact that there could be children behind these targets.
On Mr Saakashvili's orders, Abkhazia, a well-known resort in Soviet times where many Russians live and spend their vacations nowadays too, was blockaded from the sea. After the shelling of a peaceful boat that was heading for Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, the Georgian president not only failed to apologise for his navy, but actually banned Russian tourists from vacationing in Abkhazia. I cite the words of Saakashvili, the peacemaker: "If you want to come to Sukhumi by boat - you must accept what happened there several days ago when our warship opened fire at an intruder ship".
The president suggested that tourists wait until "all the pages of the tragic past are turned over" before enjoying the beauty of Abkhazian landscapes. Judging by Tbilisi's current policy, spa visitors will have to wait for a long time, whereas the martyrology of victims in the Caucasus may be continued.
MOSCOW REACTS SHARPLY TO GEORGIAN PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT
MOSCOW, August 4 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will rebuff any attempts by Georgia to damage to or encroach on the life of Russian citizens.
"Russia warns that any attempts to do damage to and even more so, to encroach on the life of Russian citizens will receive a proper rebuff," said the Foreign Ministry's Press and Information Department. The ministry was reacting to Georgia's threats against Russian tourists going on vacation to the self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazia on the Black Sea.
According to the ministry, Tbilisi took an unprecedented step by threatening "to fire on and sink all ships" that are near the Abkhazian coast.
"Such statements [by Georgian President Saakashvili] demonstrate that Tbilisi does not understand the realities of the modern world," the ministry said.
It also stressed that in compliance with the norms of international law such demarches, if they are realized, may be regarded as a hostile act with all ensuing consequences.
MOSCOW, August 4 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will rebuff any attempts by Georgia to damage to or encroach on the life of Russian citizens.
"Russia warns that any attempts to do damage to and even more so, to encroach on the life of Russian citizens will receive a proper rebuff," said the Foreign Ministry's Press and Information Department. The ministry was reacting to Georgia's threats against Russian tourists going on vacation to the self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazia on the Black Sea.
According to the ministry, Tbilisi took an unprecedented step by threatening "to fire on and sink all ships" that are near the Abkhazian coast.
"Such statements [by Georgian President Saakashvili] demonstrate that Tbilisi does not understand the realities of the modern world," the ministry said.
It also stressed that in compliance with the norms of international law such demarches, if they are realized, may be regarded as a hostile act with all ensuing consequences.
RUSSIAN MILITARY DENIED STATEMENT MADE BY GEORGIA ABOUT VIOLATING GEORGIAS AIR SPACE
/AVIA.RU/
The Russian military have flatly denied a statement made by Tbilisi
about violating Georgia's air space. If the Georgian side accused Russia
earlier of Russian planes having twice flied illegally over the
Tskhinvali region, now it is a question of 3 similar cases. Assistant to
Russia's air force commander-in- chief Alexander Drobyshevsky said that in
the given area the Russian planes did not fly at all. 'first TV
channel' reported. This subject is going to be discussed at talks that will be
held soon between heads of two military ministries of Russia and
Georgia
/AVIA.RU/
The Russian military have flatly denied a statement made by Tbilisi
about violating Georgia's air space. If the Georgian side accused Russia
earlier of Russian planes having twice flied illegally over the
Tskhinvali region, now it is a question of 3 similar cases. Assistant to
Russia's air force commander-in- chief Alexander Drobyshevsky said that in
the given area the Russian planes did not fly at all. 'first TV
channel' reported. This subject is going to be discussed at talks that will be
held soon between heads of two military ministries of Russia and
Georgia