Abkhazia to Host Two Russian Bases ? Shamba

Russia will station troops in Abkhazia at two military bases – in Gudauta and Ochamchire, Sergey Shamba, the breakaway region’s foreign minister, said on October 21.

Russian troops will also have outposts in upper Kodori Gorge, he said, according to the Abkhaz official news agency, Apsnipress.

Russia will have 3,800 servicemen in Abkhazia, Shamba said. Russia plans to leave the same number of troops in South Ossetia, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

“As a result, Abkhazia will be provided with appropriate security guarantees from Russia,” the breakaway region’s foreign minister said.

He also said that it was planned, as envisaged in a partnership and cooperation treaty with Russia, to sign an agreement with Russia that would pave the way for Russian assistance in protecting the Abkhaz border with Georgia.

Meanwhile, the Russian daily, Kommersant, reported on October 21 that the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) planned to take a lead in protecting the Abkhaz and South Ossetian borders. The border guard unit in Russia is under FSB subordination. A relevant agreement, according to the newspaper, will be signed as soon as the Russian parliament ratifies the partnership and cooperation treaties with the two breakaway regions.

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