Russia-Georgia conflict
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The presence of Russian peacekeeping troops in Georgia's secessionist Abkhazia republic has long been a source of friction between Moscow and Tbilisi. Russia has now replaced its conscript troops with 514 "professional" peacekeepers. The contingent includes 14 women.
The soldiers of the 15th Peacekeeping Brigade are Russia's only troops who have been specifically trained as peacekeepers, and Abkhazia is their first posting, RTR Russia TV reported.
Russian Defense Ministry's peacekeeping forces deputy commander Valeri Yevnevich said, "As long as Russian soldiers stay here, there will be peace here. Those who think otherwise are profoundly mistaken. Irrespective of who may want to do what, the task we have been set will be fulfilled. In Russia, we have those who will fulfill it and the means to do that. As for how to fulfill it, we know how and we are capable of fulfilling it."
The Georgian-Abkhaz standoff has not been resolved. In May 1994 a ceasefire agreement was signed. Despite a decade of intermittent peace talks little has been accomplished.
Russian protestations of neutrality ring somewhat hollow. Abkhazian defense minister Sultan Sosnaliev has acknowledged that Abkhazian army senior and middle-ranking officers are currently sent regularly to Russia for two to three month training courses under Russia's "Vystrel" (Shot) program. Furthermore, former Soviet army Lt. Gen. Anatoli Zaytsev has been appointed Abkhazian Chief of Staff.
The soldiers of the 15th Peacekeeping Brigade are Russia's only troops who have been specifically trained as peacekeepers, and Abkhazia is their first posting, RTR Russia TV reported.
Russian Defense Ministry's peacekeeping forces deputy commander Valeri Yevnevich said, "As long as Russian soldiers stay here, there will be peace here. Those who think otherwise are profoundly mistaken. Irrespective of who may want to do what, the task we have been set will be fulfilled. In Russia, we have those who will fulfill it and the means to do that. As for how to fulfill it, we know how and we are capable of fulfilling it."
The Georgian-Abkhaz standoff has not been resolved. In May 1994 a ceasefire agreement was signed. Despite a decade of intermittent peace talks little has been accomplished.
Russian protestations of neutrality ring somewhat hollow. Abkhazian defense minister Sultan Sosnaliev has acknowledged that Abkhazian army senior and middle-ranking officers are currently sent regularly to Russia for two to three month training courses under Russia's "Vystrel" (Shot) program. Furthermore, former Soviet army Lt. Gen. Anatoli Zaytsev has been appointed Abkhazian Chief of Staff.
posted by Marko at 12/22/2005 01:24:00 AM
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