Georgia’s UN Envoy Says Russian Bases Source of Illicit Arms Trade

(Tbilisi, July 12, 2003, Civil Georgia) – Georgia’s permanent representatives to the UN Revaz Adamia said on July 8 in the statement at the meeting of states to consider the implementation of the UN programs of action to prevent illicit trade in arms that three Russian military bases in Georgia are the source of illegal arms trade.

Russian military bases in Georgia are deployed in Batumi (Adjarian Autonomous Republic), Akhalkalaki (southern Georgia) and in Gudauta, which is in Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia. 

“Our main problem with these bases is connected specifically to illicit, uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons in the region. According to our law enforcement and special agencies, these bases have turned into the major source of arms and weapons for different secessionist, criminal or terrorist groups,” Revaz Adamia said. 

“Unfortunately, these bases do not come under effective control of their central command and, as I have already indicated, are located in the areas with lucrative black market for illicit arms trade. We may declare confidently that these three bases pose major threat to the security of Georgia in terms of dissemination of arms to destabilizing forces in the country as well as in the region,” Georgian envoy to the UN stated.

Click for the Full Text of Statement

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