Agencies/Sukhumi, Georgia
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin yesterday pledged half a billion dollars to defend the breakaway region of Abkhazia during a surprise visit which Georgia said escalated tensions in the Caucasus.
Putin’s tour of the enclave underscores Moscow’s increased foothold in the rebel regions since Russian troops repelled a Georgian attempt to retake South Ossetia in a five-day war which ended on Aug. 12, 2008.
Tensions have been rising along the de facto borders between the regions and Georgia proper, raising concerns that another conflict could be sparked easily.
“With today’s Georgian leadership, you cannot rule anything out,” Putin said in an interview with Abkhaz reporters when asked if there would be a repeat of last year’s war.
Georgia said Putin’s trip was a direct challenge that would escalate tensions in the Caucasus, a key route for oil and gas flows from the Caspian Sea.
“Putin’s visit to the occupied territory of a sovereign country is yet another provocation carried out ... in the tradition of the Soviet special services,” Georgia’s Foreign Ministry said.
It said the trip was “yet another attempt to destabilise the situation and escalate tension in the Caucasus region”.
The rest of the world - apart from Nicaragua - views Abkhazia and South Ossetia as part of Georgia, though Russia has deployed several thousand troops to the regions and has military bases in both enclaves.
“Frankly speaking, Abkhazia needs no other recognition except Russia’s,” Putin said during a news briefing. He also urged Russian businesses to invest in Abkhazia.
The European Union last month criticised a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to South Ossetia and said it supported Georgia’s territorial integrity. The US has called for Georgia’s sovereignty to be respected.
He also urged the UN and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) must recognise Abkhazia’s independence if their monitors were to be sent there.
“Abkhazia and Russia do not oppose foreign observers from various organisations, including the UN and the OSCE. But this must be based on reality.
“Corresponding agreements must be made with Abkhazia, having recognised its sovereignty,” he said.
UN and OSCE monitors have withdrawn from Georgia’s conflict zones after Russia vetoed extending their mandates.
Putin, who arrived by helicopter in the local capital Sukhumi, said Russia would spend 15bn-16bn roubles ($500mn) in 2010 on strengthening Abkhazia’s defences, including shoring up its borders and equipping Russian military bases.
“We will make the necessary efforts together with the corresponding Abkhaz structures to build a modern border defence,” Putin said. “This is an additional and serious guarantee of the security of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.”
Underlining continued tensions, one person was killed and two wounded in a bomb blast in the Abkhaz resort of Gagra. It was not immediately clear who was responsible.
Putin’s visit, during a break from his vacation in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, underscores Russia’s dominance of Georgia’s rebel regions, which broke away from Georgia’s rule after wars in the early 1990s and have run their own affairs ever since.
Pro-Russian billboards - “Russia and Abkhazia: together for prosperity” - dotted the streets of Sukhumi, which is nestled among vineyards and orchards on the Black Sea coast.
“Putin is our guardian angel,” mothers of Abkhaz fighters who were killed in the 1992-93 war chanted after Putin laid flowers at a cenotaph in honour of those who fell in the war.
Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said Moscow was keeping 3,636 servicemen in Abkhazia and “a bit less” in South Ossetia. He ruled out any plans to boost the military presence.
Donning a white coat, Putin was earlier shown round a maternity ward Bagapsh, where two male twins had been born minutes before his arrival.
“They will be called Vladimir and Dmitry,” said beaming maternity hospital head Liana Achba, referring to Putin and Medvedev.
Sukhumi lies just south of the Russian city of Sochi which is to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in a major event for Russia’s prestige. Moscow is keen to prove the region’s stability to the world ahead of the Games.
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