International commission passed report on the conflict in South Ossetia to the Russian Federation, Georgia, the UN, the EU and OSCE representatives

The position of Abkhazia regarding the EU observers access to the territory of the republic is invariable, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Shamba told the Republic of Abkhazia newspaper today, commenting on the PACE’s call to Russia "to urgently give unrestricted access to the international observers" to South Ossetia and Abkhazia till the end of 2009.

“Our position will change only when the EU has a real notion of what is happening here”, Shamba said.

“When PACE regains common sense and adopts intelligent policies toward Abkhazia, we will decide how to cooperate with them. There is currently no sense discussing it”, the head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs added.

According to Shamba, whatever assessments the report of the International Independent Fact-Finding Mission on the conflict in Georgia contains, “it will not affect in any way our vision of the situation”.

“The only thing important for us is to have an unbiassed assessment for the Europeans and the whole world to at last understand what has happened here. But I’m not quite sure they are so free to make conclusions of what has happened. I am afraid there will be quite smoothed wordings”, Shamba said.

Today in Brussels the head of the international commission Heidi Tagliavini will report on this investigation’s results.

“Yesterday I received a letter from heу saying the work is finished and the report will be sent to us in English today. I think Europe will not oppose to Russia to the prejudice of itself. The results of the 2008 August events investigation will be politically balanced”, the head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia believes.

09.30.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

“We have paid a high price for this peace, and now already our children and grandchildren  are worthy of living in the peaceful, prosperous and developing country of Abkhazia. We must do everything to leave them a country they will be proud of”, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia Sergey Shamba told journalists. “I wish no more blood to be shed in our land, our people to never see horrors of war”.

09.30.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev congratulated President Sergey Bagapsh and the entire people of Abkhazia on “the national holiday, Independence and Victory Day

Moscow, Tbilisi is still counting on using force to regain control over Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The seventh round of talks between representatives of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Georgia, Russia, the United States, the EU and OSCE on the situation in the South Caucasus was held in Geneva on Thursday.

"Tense discussions in two working groups on security and humanitarian issues showed that in the place of constructive work the Georgian side prefers a futile politicized stance, designed to restore by force the territorial integrity of Georgia lost as a result of its own aggression against South Ossetia," the statement reads.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that it had informed its partners about the efforts it has made to enhance stability in the region.

"It was stressed that the top security priority in the Caucasus was to sign bilateral agreements on the non-use of force between Georgia and Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia," the Foreign Ministry said.

The Russian, Abkhazian and South Ossetian delegations also suggested to focus on aid to Georgian, Ossetian and Abkhazian refugees, who have fled their homes since the conflicts broke out in 1989.

The talks saw a frank exchange of views, the head of the Russian delegation, Grigory Karasin, said on Thursday. The next Geneva meeting is due to take place in November.

09.18.2009  RIA Novosti

Moscow, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has unexpectedly come up with a statement that, being "friends," Belarus should have long ago supported Russia and recognized the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.

However, there is little doubt that he will continue trying to sell this "intangible asset" to Moscow as best he can. He is perfectly aware of his decision's value. There is more to it than the future of the two newly independent states - this is rather about Russia's own global role, writes Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of the Moscow-based magazine Russia in Global Affairs.

Russia decided to recognize the two republics in August 2008 because it had no other choice - no other way to politically document the outcome of the five-day war.

Today, this previously legal issue has become a political one, the analyst says. It is now discussed as an aspect of Russia's relations with one or another country, rather than whether or not it fits into basic international laws. Each country's policy with regard to Abkhazia and South Ossetia is seen as an indicator of Moscow's ability to influence international processes.

Consequently, a number of countries benefit from an opportunity of getting some economic support during recession, while others face a difficult choice over where their loyalty should lie, Lukyanov explains. The relevance of the price Moscow paid Venezuela's Hugo Chavez is questionable; however, Venezuela is certainly more influential than Nicaragua in global affairs.

Recognition of the two republics by Belarus would be an oath of allegiance to Moscow. First, this would seriously aggravate the country's relations with the European Union, which have been growing into a nice little flirt.

Second, the fact that a post-Soviet republic accepts the results of a forcible border rearrangement would create an important precedent with far-reaching repercussions. Therefore, Lukashenko is unlikely to convert his "friendly" sentiment into a political decision in the end, Lukyanov writes. Or, he could ask so much in exchange that Moscow would be unable to oblige.

President Dmitry Medvedev told a Valdai Club meeting a few days ago that he was not going to force the process of international recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He is not being entirely honest here, of course - Venezuela's example has filled Russian diplomatic officials with enthusiasm, and they will now redouble efforts to expand international support of the decision. It is only important that they do not get carried away and spend more on this "asset" than it's worth, the analyst concludes.

18.09.2009  RIA Novosti (Gazeta.ru)

Moscow, Russia has reestablished commercial maritime passenger routes with the republic of Abkhazia, which were frozen after last year's war between Russia and Georgia.

Russia's transport ministry has reopened the route for the high-speed, 180-passenger Hermes vessel between the Black Sea resort cities of Sochi and Gagra.

"Four trips are planned before the closing of the holiday season in 2009 and daily trips will begin again in May 2010," a Russian transport ministry statement said.

The report also said passenger volume in 2010 should reach around 150,000 passengers and tour companies in Gagra and Sochi, which will host the Winter Olympics in 2014, were currently drawing up contracts.

09.17.2009  RIA Novosti

Sukhum, The Sukhum-Abkhazian Diocese has been renamed into the Abkhazian Orthodox Church with the Sukhum and Pitsunda Patriarchates, the Church Head Priest Vissarion Aplia said on Abkhazian television on Wednesday.

According to him, the decision to rename the diocese was made on Wednesday at a meeting with the participation of all Abkhazian clergy with the aim of restoration of the Abkhazian Orthodox Church that had its own local ecumenical validity, but lost it in 1795.

“Today we have the understanding that the history of Christianity in Abkhazia has its roots in deep antiquity,” said Aplia. According to him, “Seventeen years ago Georgia committed not only a military and political, but also spiritual aggression against Abkhazia. Abkhazia in no way can be an integral part of Georgia, and the Sukhum-Abkhazian Diocese that was within the Georgian Catholicosate ceased to exist,” the Abkhazian Orthodox Church Head stated.

He said he intended to turn to Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Kirill for help and support of the decision made at the meeting of the Abkhazian clergy. The Abkhazian Church intends to send the same appeal to the Georgian Church, local churches of Constantinople, Jerusalem and all Orthodox churches that “by their determination will restore the historical truth that the long-suffering people of Abkhazia deserve.”

“We take our actions correctly without violating Orthodox canons and rules. Under canonical rules Georgia has no authority in the territory of Abkhazia,” Father Vissarion noted. “We want to restore the historical justice, and nobody will be able to take from us the truth given by God,” he added.

Aplia promised that the “Abkhazian Orthodox Church will pray for the unity of those who live in our country so that peace be restored in Abkhazia.”

The Abkhazian Orthodox Church also addressed the country’s President Sergei Bagapsh, parliament, government and all the power players with a request to support the decision of the Church, because this “has huge historical significance” and hopes for their support.

09.16.2009  Itar-Tass

Minsk, Lukashenka said Belarus “should have supported Russia long ago for moral reasons.”

The “house of representatives” is to consider an issue on recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia at a session in October.

“The issue will be discussed at the session, when we’ll have results of an opinion poll,” Lukashenka said in Lithuania last evening. “My opinion reflects the opinion of the people. When the parliament says it opinion, I’ll make a decision on the ground of the people’s view,” Lukashenka said.

The Belarusian ruler emphasized he wouldn’t stand any demands and pressure “even from a brotherly country”. “It’s no sense in pressing on me, so nobody tries to do this,” Lukashenka stressed. He also noted Belarus “should have supported Russian for moral reasons”.

We remind that Minsk refused to consider the issue of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that became an unpleasant surprise for Moscow. As a result, Russian refused to give economic preferences for Belarus and grant a 100-million-ruble loan.

Lukashenka in turn blamed Russia of failing to fulfil the bilateral economic agreements and even said border control between the two countries, removed in 1996, might be imposed again.

Experts say the Belarusian dictator will continue playing on contradictions of Russia and the EU, dragging on recognition of the republics as long as possible and trying to get preferences from both sides.

09.16.2009  Charter97

Moscow, Russia signed on Tuesday agreements on military cooperation with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the Russian defense minister's spokesman said.

The documents were signed by Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and his counterparts from Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Merab Kishmariya and Yury Tanayev.

"In accordance with the agreements, Russia has the right to build, use and improve military infrastructure and military bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and create and maintain joint military contingents [in both republics] in times of peace and war," said Alexei Kuznetsov, the defense minister's press secretary.

The agreements could be extended automatically for increments of five years after the expiration of the initial 49-year term, the spokesman added.

He said new intergovernmental agreements on military and military-technical cooperation between Russia and the two republics are in the works.

Under mutual assistance treaties signed last November, Russia pledged to help Abkhazia and South Ossetia protect their borders, and the signatories granted each other the right to set up military bases in their respective territories.

Russian military bases are expected to be located in Gudauta, Abkhazia, and Tskhinval, South Ossetia. Each base will most likely host up to 1,700 servicemen, T-62 tanks, light armored vehicles, S-300 air defense systems and various aircraft.

Russia earlier said it would allocate 15-16 billion rubles (over $465 million) in 2010 to boost security along Abkhazian borders.

09.15.2009  RIA Novosti

Tbilisi, A Georgian opposition MP threatened Abkhazia with sanctions on Monday following the Abkhazia's move to join the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Media reported last week that Abkhazia's Chamber of Commerce became on September 8 a member of the world business organization whose aim is to resolve the most urgent business problems.

Georgian Parliament Speaker David Bakradze said the Georgian authorities will make the decision on sanctions in coordination with the international community. "This is not an issue to be resolved inside of Georgia," he said.

The ICC was established in 1919 and is headquartered in Paris. It unites thousands of enterprises, associations and companies from over 130 countries and closely cooperates with the UN, the World Trade Organization and the World Bank, being a collective consultative body for them.

Moscow recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia after a brief war last August to repel Georgia's attack on South Ossetia.

The move, seen partly as a response to the broad recognition of Kosovo's independence from Serbia, was condemned internationally. Georgia, backed by the United States and Europe, severed diplomatic ties with Russia last year over its recognition of the republics.

09.15.2009  RIA Novosti

Caracas, The deputy foreign ministers of Venezuela and Abkhazia, Francisco Aria-Cardenas and Maxim Gunjia, met here on Monday to discuss the establishment of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Abkhazia.

Francisco Aria-Cardenas presented a note on Venezuela’s recognition of Abkhazia’s independence to Gunjia. The meeting passed in a warm and friendly atmosphere,” Gunjia told Itar-Tass. He noted that an agreement on establishing diplomatic relations between Abkhazia and Venezuela would be signed in the next few days.

The Abkhazian deputy foreign minister said that the decision of President Hugo Chavez to recognize the independence of Abkhazia had become “a very vital step in global terms.”

“In fact, Venezuela’s decision contributed to establishing stability in the Caucasian region. This is something what the United States and the European Union have tried to do for many years but failed,” Mr. Gunjia went on to say.

The conversation with Francisco Aria Cardenas dwelt on political and economic cooperation. Abkhazia has requested Venezuela to create a platform for lobbying the recognition of Abkhazia’s independence in Latin America.

09.15.2009  Itar-Tass

Abkhazia and Nicaragua have formally signed agreements establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The agreement comes a day after another Latin American country – Venezuela – officially recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"An Abkhaz delegation is currently in Latin America. Abkhaz foreign ministry officials met with the Nicaraguan president and signed the relevant agreement yesterday [Thursday]," Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba told Interfax.

Russia’s ambassador to Nicaragua praised the signing.

"These documents have special significance for practical connections between the two republics and they will help to flesh out the bilateral relationship with tangible content," Russia's ambassador to Nicaragua, Igor Kondrashov, said.

Abkhaz diplomats are also planning to visit the capital of Nicaragua, Caracas, on Friday, where they will also meet with Venezuelan leadership.

In the early nineties, after the Soviet Union collapsed, Abkhazia and South Ossetia fought for their independence from Georgia, which still considers both to be part of its territory.

In August last year, Russia became the first UN member to recognize the two small countries and establish diplomatic ties.

09.11.2009  Russia Today

Moscow, Abkhazia hopes both the entire Latin American continent and the Middle East will recognize its independence, the president of the former Georgian republic said on Friday.

On Thursday, Venezuela joined Russia and Nicaragua in recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign states, a move condemned by Georgia, which considers the republics part of its territory.

"There is such an opportunity, but we are not propelling the process. We are working not only on the Caribbean countries, we are also working on the Middle East and European nations and organizations," Sergei Bagapsh told the Russia Today news channel.

Nicaragua and Abkhazia signed on Thursday an agreement on establishing diplomatic relations.

Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba earlier told RIA Novosti that Venezuela's recognition "could spark a cascade" of similar acts on the part of other Latin American countries.

Russia recognized the two republics shortly after the end of last August's war with Georgia over South Ossetia, which began when Georgian forces attacked the republic in an attempt to bring it back under central control.

09.11.2009  RIA Novosti

Sochi, Abkhazia and South Ossetia plan to create a joint media project, reporting on life in the republics since their independence from Georgia, South Ossetia's information minister said.

A decision to establish the project, to be run by the republics' information ministries, was taken during a roundtable in the Russian Black Sea resort town of Sochi, with the main topic titled "New Geopolitical Landscape in the Great Caucasus".

"We will establish a joint project, in which Abkhazians and Ossetians themselves can speak about their life," Irina Gagloyeva said.

The project will focus on the social and economic development of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The provinces were recognized by Russia after a brief war last August to repel Georgia's attack on South Ossetia. So far the only other countries to have recognized their independence are Nicaragua, and as of today, Venezuela.

The South Ossetian minister said Russia recognized the two republics "not because certain politicians wanted this," but because "we ourselves sought independece."

Abkhaz presidential spokesman Kristian Bzhania said: "You have to visit our republics to understand what is happening there."

On Abkhazia's relations with its ally Russia, he said: "There is a huge country near us, which has enormous potential and deep historical, cultural and economic ties with our republics."

Political scientists, historians and journalists from Russia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Armenia and Azerbaijan took part in the roundtable, which took place on September 8, and was organized by RIA Novosti.

09.10.2009  RIA Novosti

Moscow, Nicaragua and the republic of Abkhazia have signed an agreement on establishing diplomatic relations, Nicaraguan media reported.

The Central American country recognized the independence of Abkhazia, along with South Ossetia, after last summer's conflict between Russia and Georgia.

The El-19 news website said the agreement was signed by Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos and Abkhazian Deputy Foreign Minister Maxim Gundzhiya on Thursday in Managua.

The Abkhazian diplomat said after the signing: "This event is of major historical significance for Abkhazia. Nicaragua will always be an important friend for us, and we expect to further develop the documents we have signed."

On Thursday, Venezuela became the third country after Russia and Nicaragua to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign states, a move condemned by Georgia, which considers the republics part of its territory.

Russian media have said that more Latin American nations could recognize the two republics, which have maintained de-facto independence since bloody post-Soviet conflicts with Georgia in the early 1990s.

Russia's ex-Soviet allies, including Belarus, have so far refrained from recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

09.11.2009  RIA Novosti

Moscow, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday his country recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.

During talks with President Dmitry Medvedev in the Kremlin, Chavez said: "I want to take the opportunity to announce that Venezuela is joining those recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia."

Chavez said Venezuela will start the relevant procedures today.

Moscow recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia after a brief war last August to repel Georgia's attack on South Ossetia. The move, seen partly as a response to the broad recognition of Kosovo's independence from Serbia, was condemned internationally.

Nicaragua was until recently the only other country to have followed Russia's suit. Russian media reports have said that more Latin American nations could recognize the two republics, which have maintained de-facto independence since bloody post-Soviet conflicts with Georgia in the early 1990s.

Moscow's ex-Soviet allies, including Belarus, have so far refrained from recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Ex-Soviet Georgia, backed by the United States and Europe, severed diplomatic ties with Russia last year over it's recognition of the republics.

Medvedev told Chavez: "We have been taking the fate of these states close to our hearts and I want to thank you for this decision."

The Venezuelan leader is in Russia on a two-day working visit, his seventh as president, which is part of his 11-day foreign tour.

The visit is dominated by energy and military deals. A senior Kremlin official said on Wednesday that Russia was considering granting Venezuela a loan to buy more Russian arms.

Chavez has recently announced plans to buy dozens of Russian tanks in response to U.S. preparations to deploy military bases in neighboring Colombia.

A senior academic at Russia’s Latin America Institute said the decision came as no surprise.

“This is an expected decision. Venezuelan lawmakers at recent parliamentary hearings on the issue backed the recognition of the two republics. And Chavez telephoned [Russian premier] Putin last year saying Venezuela supported Russia in its operation to enforce peace and condemned American ‘imperialistic’ moves in the region,” Emil Dabagyan said.

Senior Russian lawmakers welcomed the recognition by Venezuela, saying it was the beginning of a worldwide process.

"...A wave of recognition will slowly but surely sweep the whole political map of the world," Leonid Slutsky, deputy head of the State Duma international committee, said adding the decision was not "commercial."

Speaking about Russia's recognition of the two regions a year ago, Slutsky said Moscow had no other option and thereby "guaranteed the nations the right to live."

Konstantin Zatulin, a senior member of the post-Soviet CIS committee, said "gradually South Ossetia and Abkhazia's sovereignty will be recognized by the countries that do not keep pace with Washington's foreign policies."

Abkhazian leader Sergei Bagapsh said he hoped other Latin American states would follow Venezuela's example.

"We have always looked to Venezuela and some other Latin American countries with hope," Bagapsh said. "An Abkhazian delegation is now in Caracas after visiting Cuba and Nicaragua, where they received a warm welcome and support.

09.10.2009  RIA Novosti

Sochi, Abkhazia and South Ossetia plan to create a joint media project, reporting on life in the republics since their independence from Georgia, South Ossetia's information minister said.

A decision to establish the project, to be run by the republics' information ministries, was taken during a roundtable in the Russian Black Sea resort town of Sochi, with the main topic titled "New Geopolitical Landscape in the Great Caucasus".

"We will establish a joint project, in which Abkhazians and Ossetians themselves can speak about their life," Irina Gagloyeva said.

The project will focus on the social and economic development of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia were recognized by Russia after a brief war last August to repel Georgia's attack on South Ossetia. So far the only other countries to have recognized their independence are Nicaragua, and as of today, Venezuela.

The South Ossetian minister said Russia recognized the two republics "not because certain politicians wanted this," but because "we ourselves sought independece."

Abkhaz presidential spokesman Kristian Bzhania said: "You have to visit our republics to understand what is happening there."

On Abkhazia's relations with its ally Russia, he said: "There is a huge country near us, which has enormous potential and deep historical, cultural and economic ties with our republics."

Political scientists, historians and journalists from Russia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Armenia and Azerbaijan took part in the roundtable, which took place on September 8, and was organized by RIA Novosti.

09.10.2009  RIA Novosti

Sukhum, At the former UN Mission’s Gal office the fourth pentalateral meeting on incident prevention and investigation on the Georgian-Abkhaz border took place on Tuesday, September 8.

The Abkhaz delegation included: the President’s Plenipotentiary in the Gal district Ruslan Kishmariya, the chief of the International Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia Lana Agrba, a Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia employee Natalia Arlan, the chief of the Gal district police department Laurens Kogoniya and the chief of the district department of the State Security Service Ruslan Gogua.

At the meeting the Abkhaz party raised the question of the Georgian coast guards seizing in neutral waters cargo vessels bounding for Abkhazia. “We have demanded from the Georgian side to stop the acts of piracy violating international law of the sea”, the President’s Plenipotentiary in the Gal district Ruslan Kishmariya told "Apsnypress" after the meeting.

In turn the Georgian power structures representatives justified their actions at sea. They consider cargoes delivery to Abkhazia by sea without Tbilisi’s permission as violation of the Georgia’s legislation.

According to Ruslan Kishmariya, Johan Verbeke chairing the meeting confirmed necessity of controlling the vessels bounding for Abkhazia with cargoes. At that Verbeke did not specify who exactly should control. “He seems to have had the United Nations or the Georgian party in view”, Kishmariya said.

At the meeting the Abkhaz side once again claimed it has the right to carry on trade and economic activity with other countries, and nobody has the right to resist. The Georgia’s actions at sea, in particular interception in neutral waters of vessels and tankers with cargoes for Abkhazia, are regarded by the Abkhaz party as violation of the international law of the sea.

Kishmariya reminded the present at the meeting of the President Sergey Bagapsh’s statement that the Abkhaz party reserves to itself the right to take proportional measures on protection of the cargoes bounding for the republic, and lays blame for possible consequences on destabilization of the situation in the region on the Georgian side.

At the meeting the Georgian side triggered discussion of access restriction for the Gal district schoolchildren to schools of Georgia’s Zugdidi and Tsalendzhikha districts.

Ruslan Kishmariya stressed there are regulations of crossing the Georgian-Abkhaz border which all the citizens should stick to.

“There are enough comprehensive schools in the Gal district, both Russian and Georgian. As to the families wishing their children to study at Georgia’s schools, they have to decide for themselves where they want to live, here or there”, Kishmariya said.

The Georgian party expressed concern about increase of the Russian helicopters flights from the territory of Abkhazia over the Georgian police posts.

In turn the Abkhaz representatives claimed facts of Georgian drones flights over the territory of Abkhazia have become more frequent. The Georgian security agencies representatives disowned the drones categorically and said the Abkhaz have the right to bring them down.

The problem of David Sigua’s kidnapping probe was once again raised at the meeting. “Unfortunately, David Sigua's question remained open again”, Kishmariya said regretfully.

The Georgian delegation continues denying their special services are involved.

According to Ruslan Kishmariya, the next meeting on incident prevention and investigation on the Georgian-Abkhaz border will take place on September 22.

09.09.2009  Official Site of the President of Abkhazia

 Measures on strengthening protection on Abkhazia's maritime boundary discussed by president of Abkhazia and head of FSB of Russia's border service

Sukhum, Today the President of the Republic of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh and the first deputy director of FSB, the head of the Border service of FSB of Russia Vladimir Pronichev discussed the issues of strengthening protection of Abkhazia’s maritime boundary.

“During the meeting the issues of creating infrastructure for promoting boundary security of the Republic of Abkhazia as well as measures on strengthening protection of the Republic of Abkhazia’s maritime boundary according to the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia on joint efforts in protection of the state border of the Republic of Abkhazia have been discussed”, a spokesperson for FSB of Russia said.

09.09.2009  Official Site of the President of Abkhazia

Tbilissi, Representatives of the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) office in Georgia have delivered humanitarian cargoes to the mountainous quake-struck Oni district, the organisation’s staff told reporters on Wednesday.

They said aid was designed for 100 families. The region will receive tents, sleeping bags, hygiene accommodation, clothes and dishware.

On Tuesday, the Georgian authorities delivered tents for 20 or 50 persons to the Oni region. Residents of the region what houses the quake caused serious damage passed the night in these tents. The Georgian authorities also provide food and material assistance to the quake-struck residents. According to Georgian Minister for Regional Development and Infrastructure David Tkeshelashvili, “all damaged houses and the infrastructure facilities will be repaired within the shortest period of time.”

The September 8 earthquake in the Oni region caused damage to about 400 houses and buildings. Totally, about 700 houses and buildings were destroyed in the Racha-Lechkhumi district.

According to the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Geophysical Service, a quake measuring 6.1 points on the Richter scale occurred in Georgia at 2:41 a.m. Moscow time on Tuesday. The quake was nested ten to twelve kilometres south of Oni, about 150 kilometres north of Tbilisi, at the depth of 10 kilometres. Georgian seismologists said that more tremors came through the night and in the morning and measured from two to three points.

No serious damage was reported. A number of buildings were slightly bruised, and several stone slides occurred.

The quake measured 5.5 points in South Ossetia. The tremors were tangible in North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria and Ingushetia.

There was a three-point quake in Abkhazia, head of the republican ecological service Roman Dbar told the media. Mostly, the quake was felt by tenants of upper stories. There is no information about possible casualties or damage.

“Earthquakes are rather frequent here. Their epicentre is located under the Main Caucasian Ridge, on the junction of continental plates,” he said.

Abkhazia did not suffer large quakes in its chronicled history, Dbar said. “Abkhazia is a seismically unstable zone, but its towns and cities are located on the coastline, which is made up of sedimentary rock. Such strata is capable of absorbing shock waves,” he said.

Power supply has partially resumed in the Oni district of Georgia, the local administration said. First, electric power was supplied to Oni and surrounding villages, and the reconstructions continued. The rocks that collapsed during the quake have been cleaned up from Oni roads.

That was the largest quake in Georgia since 2002. Back then the quake of six to seven points on the Richter scale was rooted near Tbilisi and killed seven people in suburbs. About 450 old houses were ruined.

09.09.2009  Itar-Tass

New York, During its Wednesday's plenary session the UN General Assembly will vote on the Georgian-sponsored draft resolution concerning people who fled the former Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

According to the Civil Georgia news portal, the resolution calls for "the development of a timetable to ensure a voluntary, safe, dignified and unhindered return of all internally displaced persons and refugees" to their homes in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It also urges the respect for their property rights.

Russia's envoy to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, is due to make a speech at Wednesday's session. According to an unnamed source in the Russian delegation, he would call on the General Assembly to vote against the draft.

Last Thursday the Russian Foreign Ministry slammed the project as "counterproductive," saying that it ignores the post-war reality of the two new independent states in the Caucasus.

In May 2008 the General Assembly passed a similar resolution, referring only to Abkhazia, with 14 "yes" votes against 11 "no" votes.

Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states last August after a brief war with Georgia.

On August 26, the republics celebrated the first anniversary of Russia's recognition of its independence. So far the only other country to have recognized it and South Ossetia is Nicaragua.

09.09.2009  RIA Novosti

Sukhum, Abkhazia is ready to use force against Georgia's ships in the Black Sea, with Russia's support, after Georgia arrested and escorted to its ports several vessels going to and from Abkhazia last month.

"We have no choice but to capture Georgian ships," Abkhazian Foreign minister Sergei Shamba said. Abkhazia has secured Moscow's support, as Russia has to protect Abkhazian ships in its territorial waters under a bilateral agreement on joint border control.

"Until recently the land border between Georgia and Abkhazia was in the political spotlight. But the situation on the sea now requires interference as well," Shamba added.

This year, Georgian coast guard arrested 23 vessels for "violation of the rules for entering the waters of invaded territories." They confiscate the cargo and impose a large fine on the vessel's owner, and if the owner fails to pay on time, they confiscate the ship for the country's benefit and sell it at an auction.

A source in Russia's Federal Border Service confirmed the commitment of the security service's coast guard department to ensure, jointly with Abkhazian colleagues, safe passage of all ships entering or leaving Abkhazia's waters.

"Georgia arrests ships in neutral waters, which is piracy under any laws, or in the territorial waters of Abkhazia, which is recognized by Russia as an independent state. Russia is also the guarantor of its safety. I hope the Georgian authorities have enough sense to avoid making more errors similar to those they committed on land last summer," the source said, expressing hope that the parties concerned would not go as far as sea battles.

"Russia's actions would be viewed as piracy," reacted Temuri Yakobashvili, Georgia's deputy prime minister and minister for reintegration. "Delivering freight to Abkhazia by sea without Georgia's permit violates Georgian law," he added.

Georgia will try to prevent Russian ships from entering national waters, which is fraught with a dangerous conflict, or will have to make concessions, said Irakly Sesiashvili, a Georgian military analyst, adding that these actions would "in any case hit Georgia's economy, as Russian coast guard boats in our waters would scare private companies away from the port of Poti".

09.01.2009  Nezavisimaya Gazeta