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+--- Thread: Georgia closes border prepares for war. (/thread-1925.html)
Georgia closes border prepares for war. - Magda Hassan - 05-08-2009
http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=35111
and
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\08\05\story_5-8-2009_pg4_6
Daily Times (Pakistan)
Agencies
August 5, 2009
Russia alerts troops in S Ossetia, warns US on Georgia rearming
* Moscow vows to thwart arms supplies to Tbilisi
* Georgia appeals to US, EU to defuse tensions
MOSCOW: A year after fighting a war with Georgia, Russia strengthened the combat readiness of its troops in South Ossetia on Tuesday and warned the United States against arming Georgia.
“Provocations from the Georgian side ahead of the anniversary of the August events last year are not stopping,” Andrei Nesterenko, a spokesman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, said in a statement, referring to last August’s five-day war. “In connection with this, we have stepped up the combat readiness of Russian troops and border guards.” South Ossetia accused Georgian forces of firing mortars at the rebel territory last week, underscoring simmering tension in the region which analysts say could boil over into a new war.
Tbilisi denied the charge and monitors from the European Union said they have seen “no evidence” to confirm any shelling. Russia’s deputy foreign minister Grigory Karasin on Tuesday rapped the United States and Ukraine for rearming ex-Soviet Georgia. “It is highly regrettable that the Americans are going to further pump up (Georgian President) Mikheil Saakashvili’s military machine,” he told Interfax news agency.
“Washington is playing the key role in rearming the Georgian war machine,” Karasin said, adding that Moscow “would not stand aloof, watching an unpredictable regime being again openly armed right at our borders in the Caucasus”. He added NATO-aspirant Ukraine is “unfriendly” to Russia by being one of the “most active” arms suppliers to Georgia. “We believe that the Ukrainian leadership has taken a stand in the issue of military supplies to Georgia that is unfriendly towards us.”
Karasin said Russia would take measures to “deliberately thwart” arms supplies to Tbilisi. Tension has been escalating in South Ossetia ahead of the anniversary of the war, which falls this week on Aug. 7, and the EU has urged both sides to show restraint. Last year Russia crushed a Georgian assault on South Ossetia after months of escalating tension.
Appeal: Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili called on the United States and the EU on Tuesday to send a “clear message” to Russia to help prevent a repeat of last year’s war between Moscow and Tbilisi. “There is a risk” of renewed conflict between the ex-Soviet states turned foes as they prepare to mark the August 7 anniversary of the outbreak of the war, Saakashvili told French radio station RTL. “The Russians are exerting constant pressure,” he said, speaking in French.
Georgia closes border prepares for war. - Magda Hassan - 06-08-2009
Also Russia has 2 nuclear submarines off the US east coast for the first time in about 15 years. Perhaps a bit of pressure to get their Georgian poodle on a shorter leash?