Moscow Worried By Georgian Buildup Near South Ossetia, Abkhazia

RIA Novosti ^ | January 23, 2009

[Fennie]

MOSCOW - The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday Georgia's expanding military presence on the borders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia continued to be a matter for grave concern.

It said the Georgian military and police presence called for "special attention on the part of the UN and other international organizations operating in the region."

A week ago, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference that, "EU monitors working in areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia have been reporting a buildup of Georgian military units and special forces near the borders with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and our 'technical devices' have also recorded this. Provocations also occur sporadically. We are concerned by this."

Moscow criticized on Thursday a refusal by Tbilisi to allow Russian inspectors access to military installations on its territory.

[WellyP]

Russia will do ANYTHING to drive oil prices up because they are almost broke!

[aegiscg47]

Probably two guys from a South Georgian platoon came back from sick leave, raising the troop level to 40 from 38. Naturally in Russia's view this is a dangerous troop buildup and they may need to intervene!

[MarkeyD]

Wag the Dog?

[kinghorse]

They were coming right at us.

[BenLurkin]

Somebody needs to collapse that tunnel.

Then the Georgians can liberate South Ossetia.

[kenmcg]

It looks like Putin’ Pukes are gearing up for another invasion. They’ll waste no time to test Obama (who will do nothing) except go to the UN and say “be nice!”

[bereanway]

My thoughts exactly. Putin is laying the groundwork for his followup and this time he won’t stop with S Ossetia Abkhazia. He’ll soon control the BTC pipeline along with all energy flows out of the Caspian Sea region.

[El Gato]

They’ll waste no time to test Obama (who will do nothing) except go to the UN and say “be nice!”

I'll be pleasantly surprised if he does that much for the Georgians. More likely he'll call for sanctions against them, or voice support for Moscow's liberation of whatever chunk of Georgia they grab next.