Abkhazia threatens Georgian ships

THE SEPARATIST Black Sea region of Abkhazia has threatened to destroy Georgian ships patrolling near its coastline, raising the danger of clashes between Georgian and Russian forces a year after they fought over another rebel province.

After crushing Georgia’s bid to regain control over South Ossetia, Moscow recognised both it and Abkhazia as independent states, a move followed only by Nicaragua, condemned by the West and viewed with suspicion by Russia’s usually loyal ex-Soviet allies.

The Kremlin has vowed to protect the regions from any “aggression” by Georgia, and more than 3,500 Russian troops are stationed in each of them. Moscow has barred entry to the provinces by EU observers who monitor their de-facto borders with Tbilisi’s territory.

Occasional gun and mortar fire and bomb attacks have kept the regions on edge, but tension has spiralled recently due to Tbilisi’s campaign to stop foreign transporter ships delivering goods to Abkhazia. Georgia says it has detained four ships near Abkhazia this year, including two within days of each other late last month.

This week, a Tbilisi court sentenced the captain of a Turkish-operated tanker to 24 years in jail for trying to deliver fuel to Abkhazia. Georgia says it detained the vessel in Georgian waters, but its operator says it was seized at gunpoint in international waters.

Abkhazia says Georgia’s navy has stopped more than 20 ships from docking there this year.

“I have issued an order to our navy to destroy Georgian ships violating Abkhazia’s maritime border,” the region’s leader, Sergei Bagapsh, said yesterday.

“This step has been motivated by unending acts of piracy by Georgia . . . Unfortunately, we can talk about Georgian pirates in the same way as we can talk about Somalian pirates. And such actions must be followed by an adequate response.”

The strength of Abkhazia’s navy is disputed, but experts say it consists of about eight ships with light guns. “Abkhazia’s navy does not exist,” said Georgia’s interior ministry spokesman, Shota Utiashvili.

“There are no Abkhaz territorial waters, as these waters belong to Georgia. If there is an attack on Georgian ships, Russia would be responsible, not the separatist government.”

Analysts say a clash between Georgian and Abkhaz warships could result in the sinking of the Abkhaz vessel, potentially provoking a response from the Russian navy. Mr Bagapsh said Russia’s navy would not get involved.