Crossfire War - Russia Demands Georgia Withdraw Troops from Kodori Gorge

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By Willard Payne

Crossfire War - MOSCOW WATCH - South Caucasus Theatre: Moscow - Sukhumi/Tbilisi; Russia Submits UN Draft Resolution on Abkhazia - Georgia Dispute - Demands Georgian Troops Withdraw from Kodori Gorge

Night Watch: SUKHUMI - Instead of responding positively to Tbilisi's attempt to defuse the situation, Moscow has decided to increase the pressure by justifying further conflict in the disputed area of the Kodori Gorge between Georgia and the secessionist territory of Abkhazia which is supported by Moscow. Russia UN envoy Vitaly Churkin has presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council on this matter. "We have just submitted a draft resolution on Georgia to the UN Security Council while recalling a draft statement of the Security Council Chairman. The resolution is an even stronger instrument to influence the situation." [RIA]

Tbilisi establised a pro-Georgia government in the Kodori Gorge as opposed to Abkhazia whose separatist government is based in Sukhumi on the Black Sea and supported by Moscow. There is still, currently, a military standoff, since July, between Georgian troops and units loyal to Sukhumi. Moscow's draft resolution states, "This development of the situation could lead to increased tension in the conflict zone with unpredictable consequences."

Moscow is obviously justifying its military response, and will probably do so in the name of stability.

Night Watch Information Service
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