Sharp Escalation in Tensions between Russia and Georgia

05/08/2004| IslamWeb

Frosty relations between Russia and ex-Soviet Georgia have deteriorated further after a parliamentary delegation from Moscow were shot at in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia. The Duma representatives were investigating violations of a peace deal between Georgians and Ossetians when their convoy came under fire, allegedly by Georgian troops. South Ossetia and another rebel region, Abkhazia, have close ties to Russia and Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili accuses the Kremlin of supporting separatists in the two areas, which lie on Georgia's border with Russia. Since coming to power nine months ago, Saakashvili has moved to reassert Georgian control over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which broke from Tbilisi after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Russian foreign ministry has voiced concern at clashes between Georgian and South Ossetian troops in recent days. The ministry has also responded furiously to a threat by Saakashvili to fire on Russian cruise ships entering Abkhaz resorts, saying such action will be met with an appropriate response. A Turkish vessel has already fallen foul of Saakashvili's hardline policy, attacked by Georgian coast guards just a few days ago. **PHOTO CAPTION*** South Ossetian troops convoy Georgian Interior Ministry's soldiers in central Tskhinvali, capital of the breakaway province of South Ossetia, detained early in the day in the village of Vanati, July 8, 2004. (Reuters)