From: MSN NicknameEagle_wng (Original Message) Sent: 6/9/2005 4:21 AM Georgia may force Abkhazia to accept Russian troops
08/06/2005 14:02
MOSCOW, June 8 (RIA Novosti) -- Given the situation in the Caucasus, Russia should have substantial combat-ready forces there, and Georgia's persistent attempts to squeeze Russian military bases out of its territory may turn Abkhazia (a self-proclaimed republic in Georgia) into a Russian militarized zone, Akhmed Bilalov, first deputy chairman of Russia's State Duma committee on CIS affairs and ties with compatriots, told the daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta Wednesday.
In recent months, Georgian officials have spoken of the impossibility of continuing peace talks with Abkhazia. Abkhazian officials have interpreted this as a signal to prepare for another war. "In this context, the readiness of Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh to accept Russian military units that would be pulled out of Batumi and Akhalkalaki looks justified," Bilalov said.
He also said Moscow has a chance to make a deal in this situation. "Russia may reject the offer of Bagapsh, if Tbilisi respects Russia's request not to allow other foreign countries to have military bases in Georgia," Bilalov said.
The attempt to solve the problem by incorporating Abkhazia into Russia may seriously aggravate Moscow's relations with Georgia and the international community, he said. But various asymmetric answers can be found if Georgia does not show the will to solve the Abkhazian problem peacefully. "For example, Abkhazia can be incorporated into Belarus after a referendum in the two republics. Belarus is Russia's ally in the Union State. In this situation, Russian citizens living in Abkhazia will be protected, and Moscow will avoid accusations of imperial ambitions," Bilalov said.
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