Moscow Tells Tbilisi to Agree to Abkhaz Terms

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on June 9 it backed Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh’s proposals aimed at “the de-escalation of tensions” in the region.

“We are aware that the Abkhaz leadership is offering a clear and logical plan of action to defuse the existing quite tense situation,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “President Bagapsh justifiably deems it necessary that first stage steps aimed at strengthening confidence be undertaken. First of all, the withdrawal of Georgian troops from upper Kodori Gorge and and secondly the signing of a treaty on the non-use of force and security guarantees. We fully support this approach. De-escalating the situation, strengthening ability and eventually resolving the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict will be realised if Tbilisi accepts these proposals.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry also said in the statement that it welcomed western diplomats’ decision to travel to Abkhazia, which enabled them, as it put it, to receive first-hand information about the situation on the ground from the Abkhaz side.

Since early May Abkhazia has hosted Mathew Bryza, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs; group of ambassadors of EU-member states accredited in Tbilisi; EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana and the UK’s special representative for the South Caucasus, Sir Brian Fall.

“Western delegations aim at convincing the Abkhaz leadership to resume negotiations with the Georgian side, which have been suspended for almost two years ago,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “Remaining committed to political methods to resolve the conflict, we deem this task absolutely justified. But it is impossible not to note the following issue: it should not be forgotten, while working on the issue of resuming the Georgian-Abkhaz negotiating process, that talks were suspended after Georgia violated provisions of the 1994 Moscow agreement on ceasefire and separation of forces. It would be naïve to believe that one side would return to the negotiating table unless the other side proves its commitment to agreements with deeds.”

Moscow and Sokhumi claim that Tbilisi violated the 1994 agreement by sending troops to upper Kodori Gorge in summer 2006. Tbilisi, however, says it has only police forces in the gorge, which technically is not a violation of the agreement.