Georgian-Abkhazian conflict. Russian peacekeepers outpost.
Photo: Valery Melnikov
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New Abkhazia Peacekeepers Settle In
The units of Russian peacekeepers sent to the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone, enlarging the Russian presence there by 50 percent, is setting up cooperative activities with local authorities and UN representatives for fulfilling their mission. Unit commanders report that their troops are ready to perform peacekeeping operations after having received instruction and assignments.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that “the buildup by the Georgian side of military groupings in direct proximity to the conflict zone” necessitated enlarging the peacekeeping contingent in the Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zones to the upper limits set up international agreements made through the decisions of the Council of Heads of the CIS Member States.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Abkhazia, formerly part of the Georgian SSR, declared independence. Georgia introduced troops into Abkhazia in August 1992 and was met with armed resistance. The armed conflict, which resulted in Georgia's loss of control over the region, lasted until August 30, 1993. Since then, Abkhazia has been adamant in demanding its independence, although it has not been recognized by a single government. Tbilisi views it as part of Georgia and has offered it broad autonomy.
CIS Collective Forces to Support Peace, made up of Russian troops, maintain peace in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone. Negotiations on a settlement of the conflict broke down in February 2006.
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