Russian sources say Georgia is planning to invade Abkhazia

[Dunenewt]

Russia has said that Georgia is preparing to invade the breakaway region of Abkhazia.

A statement from the Russian foreign ministry said that "a bridgehead is being prepared for the start of military operations against Abkhazia".

Russia accuses Georgia of amassing 1,500 soldiers and police near the rebel areas of the upper Kodori Gorge.

But Georgian officials denied intending to attack Abkhazia, which broke away from Georgia in the 1990s.

Interior ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili told the news agency AFP that "there has been no increase in forces from the Georgian side, nothing at all. The Russian statement is simply not true."

He also objected to Moscow's announcement of an increase in peacekeeping forces in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in response to what Russia sees as Georgia's aggressive moves.

Peacekeeping force

Mr Utiashvili said: "This is not acceptable to us... they cannot increase the number any further."

"It is the Russians who are taking provocative actions, not Georgia. Deploying additional troops is certainly a very provocative move," he added.

Russia has kept a peacekeeping force in Abkhazia and South Ossetia under an agreement made following the wars of the 1990s, when they broke away from Tbilisi and formed links with Moscow.

There are around 2,000 Russians posted in Abkhazia, and about 1,000 in South Ossetia.

Tensions between Russia and Georgia have flared up recently, despite Russia lifting economic sanctions against Georgia earlier this month.

Last week Russian authorities insisted Abkhaz rebels had shot down an unmanned Georgian spy plane - after Georgia accused a Russian plane of shooting down the drone.

And on Tuesday Georgia said it was blocking Russia's entry to the World Trade Organisation.

Many in Abkhazia believe that Kosovo's announcement of independence from Serbia in February provides a precedent for it to be recognised as an individual state.

Although it has its own flag and postage stamps, it is not internationally recognised.

Our correspondent in the area says that with this latest statement the Russian government has pushed the already bellicose rhetoric between the two countries to a new level.

If Georgia invades this territory, would Russia retaliate?  Personally I think a lot of this has been blown out of proportion by the Russians who are looking for international justification to take back more control over Georgia.  Does the breakaway province want independence, or does it want to join Russia?

[Edric O]

Russia would need to retaliate in order to maintain its credibility - not that the Russian government needs to be persuaded to fight Georgia, of course. They would relish the opportunity.

As I generally oppose the existence of small, unviable and corrupt mini-nations, I think any annexation of Abkhazia would be a good thing. And given the way Georgia has been going recently, I would favour Russian annexation.

[Dunenewt]

Russia beefs up Abkhazia forces

Extra Russian troops are now being deployed in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region, Russia says.

The defence ministry said the fresh units were joining peacekeeping troops in the Tkvarcheli district, in line with an existing peace accord.

The statement, quoted by Itar-Tass news agency, did not say how many extra troops were being deployed.

Nato has accused Russia of increasing tension in Abkhazia, where separatists broke away from Georgia in the 1990s.

Russia has kept a peacekeeping force in Abkhazia and another breakaway region, South Ossetia, under an agreement made following the wars of the early 1990s.

Russia is known to have about 2,000 troops already in Abkhazia, and about 1,000 in South Ossetia.

Moscow has accused Georgia of preparing to invade Abkhazia. Earlier, Georgia condemned Russia's decision to forge closer ties with the separatist authorities there.

"The steps that have been taken [by Russia] and the rhetoric have increased tensions and undermined Georgia's territorial integrity," Nato spokesman James Appathurai said on Wednesday.

He urged both Moscow and Tbilisi to avoid harsh rhetoric.

Russia said Georgia was massing 1,500 soldiers and police in the upper Kodori Gorge, the only part of Abkhazia which remains under government control.

Georgia denies any build-up of its own forces in the area, and says that Russia is taking provocative action.

My take on all this, is that Russia is trying to goad Georgia into taking action against the rebels, then it will move in to protect then.