Sokhumi Strongly Backs Russian Peacekeepers

Foreign Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Shamba told Itar-Tass news agency on May 18 that the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping troops from the conflict zone “might lead to a resumption of bloodshed.”

“Georgia’s statements that the Russian peacekeepers are failing to fulfill their duties are groundless. Firm arguments are needed to demand the withdrawal of the peacekeepers from the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone,” Shamba said.

“If Georgia pushes the issue of the Russian peacekeepers’ withdrawal, it would mean that Georgia is pulling out of the negotiating process, because the current peacekeeping operation is part of the Statement on Measures for political Settlement of Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict, signed on April 2, 1994 in Moscow,” Shamba added.

Deputy Defense Minister of the unrecognized republic Anatoly Zaytsev told Itar-Tass on May 18 that the Abkhaz troops are capable of protecting the border with Georgia if the Russian peacekeepers withdraw.

The Georgian Parliament’s October, 2005 resolution instructs the government to launch the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers, starting from July 15, 2006, if their performance is assessed negatively. But it is not ruled out that the Parliament will adopt a flexible resolution on Abkhazia, similar to the one which was adopted in February regarding the Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia.