From: EurasiaDigest (digest@eurasianet.org)
Date: Wed May 07 2008 - 14:04:16 EDT
MINISTER SAYS GEORGIA 'VERY CLOSE' TO WAR IN ABKHAZIA
Speaking in Brussels on May 6, Georgian State Minister for Reintegration
Temur Iakobashvili told journalists that as a result of the deployment
of additional Russian troops to Abkhazia, Georgia is "very close to a
war" that it is trying to avert, Caucasus Press reported. On May 1,
Iakobashvili was quoted as saying in Tbilisi "there will be no war," and
as giving the number of additional Russian troops sent to Abkhazia as
700 (see "RFE/RL Newsline," May 2, 2008). The additional Russian
contingent includes over 400 paratroopers armed with artillery and
antiaircraft defense systems, newsru.com reported on May 6. Iakobashvili
also said on May 6 that the Georgian leadership has asked the EU to
assume a more active role in reducing tensions, and formally requested
the dispatch of an EU contingent to participate in policing the conflict
zone, but that the EU has not yet taken any decision on doing so. LF
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