Russia warns Georgia against seizing Abkhazia-bound ships
Published: 03 September, 2009, 17:55
Edited: 08 September, 2009, 03:30
TAGS: Breakaway regions, Conflict, Crime, Georgia, Russia, Piracy
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has warned that the Georgian practice of arresting cargo ships in Abkhazian waters may lead to “serious armed incidents”.
The Georgian Navy often intercepts naval vessels delivering goods to Abkhazia. Several cargo ships have been sold and their crews fined. The Abkhazian leadership branded the practice as “piracy” and threatened to attack Georgian ships if it continues.
Speaking on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister spokesman Andrey Nesterenko has warned Tbilisi that capturing Abkhazia-bound vessels may lead to violence. He said the practice was “nothing other than outrageous violation of the Law of the Sea Convention of 1982 and acts of international lawlessness”.
He said Georgia was trying to blockade Abkhazian naval trade and “may aggravate the military-political situation in the region and lead to serious armed incidents”. Seizing trade vessels show that the Georgian leadership “didn’t abandon its militaristic plans and wants to settle territorial conflicts through the use of force.”
Tbilisi treats Abkhazia as part of its territory and ordered that any ship sailing to Abkhazia without the permission of Georgian authorities should be arrested. Several ships from Turkey have already been seized.
Abkhazia on its part is dependent on fuel import, and may face shortages if its maritime trade routes are closed. President Bagapsh ordered on Wednesday to destroy any Georgian Navy ships trespassing on Abkhazian waters.
Abkhazia has been de facto independent from Georgia since 1993. In 2008, after the Georgian attack on South Ossetia and subsequent intervention by Russia, Abkhazia was acknowledged as an independent state by Moscow.
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22 comments
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Perhaps the Russian Black Sea Fleet might send some ships to take up Abkhazia's offer of hospitality... If some Georgian navy vessels are then siezed for entering Abkhazian waters, perhaps the Georgians might rethink this policy. Of course, the Abkhazians might choose to use the vessels to enhance their own naval defence.
@ JG - what a great idea! Put the Georgian crews on a bus home, paint the ships with Abkhazian colors, and put them to work patrolling Abkhazian waters. Sounds good! Hopefully the Georgian navy has more sense than the Georgian president, and they won't get themselves sunk.