11:36, 7 June 2004

Abkhazia ready to render military aid to South Osetia, Abkhazian PM says

If Georgia launches military operations against Tskhinvali, Abkhazia and North Osetia will help the government of South Osetia by rendering military forces and equipment. Prime Minister of the breakaway republic of Abkhazia Raul Khadzhimba has made such a statement to the local television.

"In case the situation in South Osetia becomes exceedingly aggravated, the government of Abkhazia together with North Caucasian republics will not left the Osetins in trouble and try to defend Osetian people and their independence by all means," Mr Khadzhimba said. In his words, after the aggressive statement by the Georgian president about Abkhazia and South Osetia, leaders of the Abkhazian government and the North Caucasus plan to meet in the near future in Sukhumi to consider the issue of common actions in the future.

Source: BatumiNews International News Agency