The Washington Times
  • Subscribe
  • Times News Services
  • RSS
  • Mobile Headlines
  • e-edition
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • REGISTER
  • LOG IN
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • WELCOME
  • Your Profile
  • Log Out
  • Front Page Image
  • Classifieds
  • Autos
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Customer Service
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA/WNBA
    • MLB
    • NHL
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsports
    • Soccer
    • NCAA
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Other
  • Culture
    • Home & Living
    • Family & Kids
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Washington Visitors
    • Books
    • Military History
    • Life
    • Auto
    • TV Listings
    • Movie Listings
    • Death Notices
    • Entertainment
  • Themes
  • Communities
  • Marketplace
    • Autos
    • Jobs
    • Real Estate
    • Classifieds
    • Shopping
    • Dining Out
    • Education
    • TWT Store
  • Videos
    • Two Guys
    • Birnbaum on Washington
    • Liz Glover
    • Amanda Carpenter
    • Morning Briefing
    • Documentaries
    • Joe Giganti
    • Video Game Minute
  • Podcasts
    • About Headlines
    • Audio and Radio
    • America's Morning News
  • World
  • National
  • Politics
  • National Security
  • DC Area
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Technology
  • Investigations
  • Faith
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Headlines
  • Citizen Journalism
  • Sports

    Offense erupts in Caps' victory

  • National

    KUHNHENN: 10% jobless rate is Obama's troubling world

  • World

    Joint forces probe NATO air strike

  • National

    Fla. shooting suspect 'mentally ill'

  • Business

    Parents buying homes for kids at college

  • Politics

    Looking to 2010, GOP focuses on fiscal restraint

  • National

    Sunshine vitamin stirs new debate

Home » News » World

Monday, July 13, 2009

Abkhazia welcomes Russian troops, help

Rate this story

Average 0.00
after 0 votes
Login or register to rate this story

Breakaway state opens arms

  • Font Size -+
  • Print
  • Email
  • Comment
  • Tweet this!
  • Share
  • Article
  • Comments ()
  • Click-2-Listen
  • Videos
Please stand by, images loading!
  • Russian troops patrol the Georgian border of the breakaway republic of Abkhazia. While Western nations are concerned about the increased troop presence, Abkhaz residents hope Russia will also significantly increase its developmental aid in the region.
  • PHOTOGRAPHS BY NICHOLAS CLAYTON/THE WASHINGTON TIMES
A goat wanders through an abandoned house in Eastern Abkhazia. With a struggling economy, residents of the former Georgian territory are open to an influx of Russian aid accompanied by a troop presence.

More World Stories

  • World scene
  • Joint forces probe NATO air strike
  • Hezbollah agrees to unity coalition
  • Iran frees journalists swept up in protests

By Nicholas Clayton THE WASHINGTON TIMES

TBILISI, Georgia

Despite signs that Russia plans to economically and militarily dominate Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia, Abkhaz officials are hopeful Russian assistance will bring much-needed development.

In August, Russia fought a brief war with Georgia for control of Abkhazia and another seceding province, South Ossetia. Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent nations three weeks later.

Georgia claims that its territories are now occupied by Russian troops and pro-Russian puppet governments. Temuri Yakobashvili, minister for reintegration and chief negotiator on the conflicts, says Russia seeks nothing more than territory.

"Let's be honest. Russia has no interest in developing Abkhazia. Russia never had any interest in developing the occupied territories," he said.

Since August, a flurry of treaties pledging humanitarian and military assistance have been signed between the Russian and Abkhaz governments, including an agreement signed in March that would allow Russia to maintain a force of 3,800 soldiers in Abkhazia for the next 49 years.

According to the Times of London, Russian soldiers based in Abkhazia and South Ossetia participated in Russian military exercises in the North Caucasus between June 29 and July 6, similar to drills executed by Russia just before the war with Georgia began in August.

Russia will also base several small naval vessels in the Abkhaz city of Ochamchire, and plans to begin dredging the port this year to allow the docking of larger vessels, according to Eurasianet.org, a part of the Open Society Institute.

Abkhaz Defense Minister Merab Kishmaria said Abkhazia is open for further negotiations including the possibility of making Abkhazia the new port of harbor for the Russian Black Sea fleet, which has leased the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol until 2017.

[Get Copyright Permissions] Click here for reprint permissions!
Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC

12Next »

Post a comment

There are comments on this article, submit your opinion!

Please login or register to post a comment

Ask a Question

You Report

Do you have another point of view, photos, audio, video or more information about a story?

Top Stories

Most Read

  1. EXCLUSIVE: Rare virus poses new threat to troops
  2. Sniper's ex-wife speaks out on abuse
  3. PRUDEN: Corpse sits up, gets nice salute
  4. Inside the Beltway
  5. Armored troop carriers called unsafe for duty
More Top Stories »
  1. 13 killed at Texas army base; psychiatrist accused
  2. Aborted fetus cells used in beauty creams
  3. Army: Suspect said 'Allahu Akbar!' before shooting
  4. Can the 10th Amendment save us?
  5. 60 Plus leader: Senior 'tsunami' coming

Most Shared

  1. EXCLUSIVE: Rare virus poses new threat to troops
  2. Making fun of faith
  3. Aborted fetus cells used in beauty creams
  4. EDITORIAL: Too scared to recognize terrorism
  5. PRUDEN: Corpse sits up, gets nice salute
More Top Stories »
  1. Obama's new world order
  2. Martial mythologies
  3. EDITORIAL: The grass roots keep growing
  4. Parents buying homes for kids at college
  5. Wife of envoy raises funds to help women, children

Most Commented

  1. 13 killed at Texas army base; psychiatrist accused
  2. Army: Suspect said 'Allahu Akbar!' before shooting
  3. Muslims stunned by Fort Hood shooting
  4. Furious scramble for health reform support
  5. 'Gentle' Army psychiatrist displayed worrisome signs
More Top Stories »
  1. 60 Plus leader: Senior 'tsunami' coming
  2. PRUDEN: Corpse sits up, gets nice salute
  3. EXCLUSIVE: Rare virus poses new threat to troops
  4. Panel OKs climate-change bill without GOP
  5. EDITORIAL: Greedy autoworkers

Listen to Washington Times Radio

  • America's Morning News

    with John McCaslin and Melanie Morgan

Question of the day

Do you think the health reform bill will pass?

Blogs & Columns

  • POTUS Notes

    New Dem talking point on Obama approval doesn't wash

  • The Back Story

    12 arrested at Pelosi's office

  • Belief Blog

    Washington goes Greek this week

  • Out of Context

    Foods that might kill libido

  • Technology

    Facebook wins round against phishing spammer

  • On the Fly

    United lifts some 'award' blocking

  • Redskins 360

    He Said, She Said Week 9

  • Tara's Two Cents

    On their way to summer vacation..

  • SNOBlog

    Beyond 'Woody'

Videos

Advertising Links
TWT Store
  • e-edition
  • Print Edition
  • Weekly Washington Times
TWT Affiliates
  • Middle East Times
  • Golf
  • UPI
  • Arbor Ballroom
  • Washington Times Global
  • About TWT
  • Press Room
  • F.A.Q.
  • Work for TWT
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

All site contents © Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.