Abkhazia welcomes Russian troops, help

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.

Although Western analysts have described these installations as forward operating bases poised for further conflict with Georgia, Abkhaz officials say they are necessary for their defense.

“No one ever asks the question: ‘Why is there a brigade of 7,000 NATO troops in Kosovo? Why have all former Warsaw Pact countries been integrated into NATO?’ There is one reason: everyone wants a security for the state,” Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh said. “If other countries can do this, why can’t we pick a partner to defend us?”

Russian tourists have also burgeoned Abkhazia’s struggling economy. Sukhumi has become a popular destination for Russians looking to vacation on the Black Sea. Abkhazia is expecting nearly 1 million tourists this year, Mr. Bagapsh said.

For many Abkhaz citizens, Russian involvement is a welcome change after 16 years of isolation because of Abkhazia’s unrecognized status after the 1992-93 Abkhazia-Georgia conflict.

Aseyev Vyacheslav, a resident of the de facto Abkhaz capital, Sukhumi, dismissed criticism that Russia was trying to conquer Abkhazia.

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