Sokhumi Accuses Tbilisi of Fueling Tensions in Gali

In a statement issued on January 17 the Foreign Ministry of breakaway Abkhazia said that ?since Georgian terrorist groups have activated operations in the Gali district [of breakaway Abkhazia], Abkhazia reserves the right to respond adequately,? news agency Apsnypress reported.

The Abkhaz authorities believe that the deterioration of the situation in the predominantly Georgian-populated Gali district is aimed at forcing a withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping troops from the conflict zone – a move that is categorically opposed by the Abkhaz side, which claims that ?the peacekeepers? mandate is a real guarantor for peace and stability in the conflict zone.?

The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry also commented on the recent statement made by Zurab Samushia, former chief of the Georgian guerrilla group White Legion, who said that there is a necessity to restore the guerrilla movement in order to respond to the deteriorating security situation in the Gali district.

?Such aggressive rhetoric can further aggravate the situation in the Gali district and thwart the negotiations… Confidence building is possible only through securing a non-resumption of hostilities and provocations,? the statement reads.

The Georgian authorities disbanded the guerrilla groups ? White Legion and Forest Brothers last year. This move was hailed by officials in Sokhumi.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian)