Georgia to meet Russians over Abkhazia sea blockade

GEORGIAN OFFICIALS are expected to meet rebel Abkhaz representatives and their Russian backers today to discuss tension over Tbilisi’s operation to stop foreign vessels delivering supplies to the isolated separatist region.

Abkhaz leader Sergei Bagapsh has ordered his enclave’s tiny navy to destroy any Georgian ships near its Black Sea coastline, and Russia has warned Tbilisi of the danger of clashes one year after Moscow’s military crushed its bid to regain control of another breakaway region, South Ossetia.

Georgia has this year detained four vessels that were allegedly delivering cargo to Abkhazia, and last month jailed the captain of a Turkish ship for 24 years after he tried to transport petrol and diesel to the province, which currently only has trade links with Russia. Only Moscow and Nicaragua have recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The Kremlin has vowed to defend both regions. It has stationed 3,500 troops in each and refuses to let EU monitors into the tiny territories. Members of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) guard both borders.

“Full responsibility for possible unpredictable consequences rests completely with the Georgian side,” Russian foreign ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said of Tbilisi’s seizure of Abkhazia-bound vessels, warning it “could lead to serious armed incidents”.

Analysts fear any clash between the Georgian navy and Abkhaz vessels could prompt a response from the Russian military.

“In the FSB border guard unit in Abkhazia, there is a group of boats which will solve these issues, meaning providing security,” said Yevgeny Inchin, deputy head of Russia’s border guard service. “This will happen in the nearest future.” EU monitors in Georgia have expressed concern over the hostile rhetoric exchanged by Tbilisi, Moscow and Abkhazia, and the maritime tensions will be discussed at today’s regular meeting of all sides to address security issues.

Georgia is expected to release the jailed captain in return for a fine, after talks today between President Mikheil Saakashvili and visiting Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The 17-man crew was freed on Saturday.