RUSSIA: Russian military exercises close to border with Georgia seen as a threatening by Tbilisi

Russian forces in the country's North Caucasus region were expected to conclude two weeks of military exercises on Friday (July 28). The manoeuvres, involving Russian land and air force units, as well as border guard detachments, have been taking place in the Russian republic of North Ossetia, close to the border with Georgia, and that country's breakaway region of South Ossetia. Dubbed the "Caucasus Border 2006 counter-terrorism exercise", the manoeuvres involving the use of live ammunition, have increased tensions between Russia and Georgia, with officials in Tbilisi saying the exercises were Russian preparations for an "invasion" of another country. Senior Russian defence officials told reporters recently that the exercises were part of preparations and plans made in case of a deterioration of the situation in Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "We do not want any unconsidered actions which will interfere with the operation of the (Russian) peacekeepers (in Georgia's breakaway regions). But if this will happen, I am sure you all know what our defence minister said: Russia will for sure provide support and help to the peacekeepers so that they can fulfil their tasks, and defend Russia," said General Alexander Baranov, Commander of Russia's North Caucasus Military District, while overseeing the conduct of the exercises in North Ossetia. The separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia drove out Georgian forces in fighting in the 1990s. Russian peacekeeping troops oversee fragile ceasefires. But Tbilisi says the troops have stealthily annexed the regions for Moscow. Georgian forces are in an armed standoff with separatists in the South Ossetia region who, Georgian officials say, are backed by Russia. Two recent bombs in South Ossetia have increased fears the confrontation could escalate into war. The European Union recently said it was deeply concerned about South Ossetia -- one of the "frozen conflicts" that flared when the Soviet Union collapsed and are still unresolved. The United States takes a close interest in Georgia. U.S. President George W. Bush has called the Caucasus mountains country of 5 million people a "beacon of democracy" and promised to help defend its territorial integrity.

ITN Source | July 31, 2006

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