Russian MFA: withdrawal of peacemakers from Abkhazia will aggravate situation

Andrei Nesterenko, and official spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Russia, has stated today that phasing out the peacemaking operation in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone will entail aggravation of the situation in the region.

"While contemplating on stopping the peacemaking operation in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone, the leadership of Georgia should realize that this reckless step will inevitably cause an aggravation of the situation, 'defrosting' of the conflict, fraught with the situation all over the Caucasus getting out of control," Mr Nesterenko has emphasized.

"In such case, the responsibility will remain with Tbilisi authorities and those who keep their eyes shut on the danger of the course they pursue," the ITAR-TASS quotes him as saying.

Temur Yakobashvili, State Minister for Reintegration Matters of Georgia, believes that all the debates on amending the peacemaking mandate should be held with participation of such local international bodies like the OSCE and EU.

The "Caucasian Knot" has already informed that Georgia kept repeatedly demanding to change the format of the peacemaking mission and  replace Russian peacemakers for the UN ones. President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili has declared that he is ready to raise the issue of withdrawal of Russian peacemakers at any moment.