Abkhazians Obstruct Russian Militaries’ Withdrawal From Gudauta

Abkhazians block the withdrawal of Russian military forces from Gudauta base, Abkhazia, Interfax reports, quoting Russian Defense Ministry sources.

Russian soldiers loaded the military equipment of Gudauta military base on railway platforms. They are ready for the withdrawal.

Georgian Defense Ministry has no information about the situation in Gudauta.

According to the agreement of the 1999 OSCE Istanbul summit, Russia was to withdraw its military base form Gudauta in breakaway Republic of Abkhazia by July 1, 2001. Russia has not fulfilled the agreement so far.

Abkhazians have already protested against the withdrawal of the base in June.  Moscow officials say this was the reason of not fulfilling the Istanbul summit agreement.