Amid Moscow Talks, Breakaway Abkhazia, South Ossetia Increase Armament

While Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze and State Minister for Conflict Resolutions Goga Khaindrava try to ascertain Russia’s position regarding Georgia in Moscow, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili acquaints foreign journalists with the position of the Georgian authorities regarding the conflict resolutions on August 9 in Tbilisi.

With the increasing armament by the de facto authorities of South Ossetia and Abkhazia serving as a backdrop, President Saakashvili reiterates that Georgia seeks for a peaceful solution for the existing conflicts and seeks to hold dialogues with Russia.

“We want to use all the mechanisms of negotiating with Russia. We do not need an escalation of the relationship with this country,” Saakashvili said at a news briefing with foreign reporters on August 9.

Commander of the Georgian Border Guard Department Badri Bitsadze, who also attended the briefing, provided information about recent violations of Georgia’s air space and territorial waters by foreign vehicles.

He said that Georgian air space was violated three times and territorial waters twice during this summer period. The latest violation of Georgia’s air space by a Russian military aircraft was reported on August 6. The Georgian Foreign Ministry immediately sent a protest note to the Russian side.

Meanwhile, official Moscow does not confirm the reports over violations of Georgia’s air space by Russian military planes. This issue topped the agenda of the talks between the Georgian and Russian Defense Ministers in Moscow on August 10.

“We have the necessary equipment to fix any violations of air space, however, no such incidents have taken place,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said at a news briefing after the talks with Giorgi Baramidze on August 10.

However, Giorgi Baramidze claimed that the Georgian side has relevant documentation to confirm the violation. “We can submit this document,” Baramidze added.

“Georgia has all the technical means to protect itself, however, it tries to use only political means for settling problems,” President Saakashvili said.

Recently, foreign, including Russian media sources spread news regarding the purchase of weapons by Georgia.

According to the Israeli online publication Globes, Georgia is to procure several hundred Tavor assault rifles from Israel Military Industries. Reportedly, the decision was made during President Mikheil Saakashvili’s recent visit to Israel.

On August 9 Russian media reported about USD 5 million worth of arms were exported from Bulgaria and Ukraine to Georgia. Reports also claimed that a fresh delivery, worth USD 6 million, was expected soon.

However, the Georgian Defense Ministry refuted these reports spread by Russian media agencies.

“Georgia has partner relations with both Bulgaria and Ukraine; however, no weapons have been purchased in these countries yet,” the Georgian Defense Ministry reported.

Meanwhile, the de facto authorities of Abkhazia and South Ossetia spread reports over the increase of their armament. Irina Gagloeva, the head of the information committee of the South Ossetian de facto authorities, said recently that the South Ossetian authorities have purchased three military helicopters. According to Gagloeva, military drills involving helicopter support were practiced for the first time in the history of South Ossetian military forces in the Java district on August 6.

Neither the type of the helicopters nor the state where the helicopters were purchased has been identified. However, the South Ossetian section of the Russo-Georgian border is the only area which is accessible by both land and air and which also bypasses the control of the Georgian authorities.

In an interview with the Russian daily newspaper Komersant Deputy Defense Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Gari Kubalba said the Abkhaz side has recently purchased three military ships.

“In the case that an armed conflict is launched, the Abkhazians pin great hopes on Russia,” the de facto Deputy Minister added.

“Abkhazia and South Ossetia are not worth Russia ruining its relations with Georgia forever,” Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze said on August 9 before his departure to Russia.

Meanwhile, the Georgian President seeks the support of international organizations in conflict resolution.

“Georgia needs the help of international organizations to resolve the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We need to work with OSCE and the UN to launch political consultations with Russia,” the Georgian President said.

He said Georgia has no alternative to peaceful talks. “We will do our utmost not to yield to any provocations,” Saakashvili added.