Moscow Concerned, as NATO States Deliver Arms to Georgia

In a statement issued on September 13, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that a delivery of arms from the NATO member states to Georgia can ?increase Tbilisi?s temptation? to forcefully solve conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetian.

Below is an unofficial translation of the Russian Foreign Ministry?s statement:

?As far as we know, in late August, the Czech government made a decision to hand over a certain number of ammunition to Georgia, free of charge. And this is not the fist case when a NATO member state has participated in Georgia?s re-armament.

Arms supplying is taking place against the backdrop of increasing defense spending by Georgia, as well as against the backdrop of grave social-economic conditions in the country. These developments can increase Tbilisi?s temptation to use force against Sukhumi [Abkhaz capital] and Tskhinvali [South Ossetian capital], which will seriously destabilize the situation, not only in Georgia but in the entire South Caucasus.

We also should not forget about the possibility that arms might end up in the hands of international terrorists and further proliferate into the region and even beyond the region. This above mentioned [possiblity] is a source for concern.?

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