Few people in the U.S. have any idea of how our policy in the Caucasus has been determined. Of course, many probably are not really aware of the region or its significance. Last year in the midst of the conflict in South Ossetia, Senator John McCain announced that we “are all Georgians.” It is interesting how he came to that conclusion. One of McCain’s chief advisors during last year’s Presidential campaign, Randy Scheunemann, is aspecialist in foreign affairs. He is a registered foreign agent for the Republic of Georgia. During the period 2004- 2008 alone, his firms were paid over $2,000,000 to advise and lobby the U.S. Government on behalf of Georgia. He was also paid a reported $70,000 per month by the ...
Abkhazia Conflict Worsens As Russia Escorts Freight Vessels
06 October 2009
06 October 2009
CAUCASUS – Once again the simmering political cauldron in the disputed regions appear to be boiling up with Russia’s announcement this week that they are to escort freighters en route to Abkhazia, the Georgian breakaway state.
After the Handy Shipping Guide report last month on the escalation of the conflict after the seizure by Georgia of the MV “Buket” a Turkish owned tanker, there have been several unconfirmed reports of the detention of further vessels. Russia has now confirmed that she will supply patrol craft and armed warships to patrol the waters off the Abkhazian coast and accompany cargo ships headed for the region with supplies.
The Russian are reported to be constructing the infrastructure they require to support their vessels in the Abkhazian ...
