GEORGIA OPPOSED TO REOPENING OF RAILWAY TO ARMENIA

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
posted April 3 2006

Baku, March 31, AssA-Irada
The Abkhaz railway line cannot be reopened until Georgian territorial
integrity is restored. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that breakaway
South Ossetia and Abkhazia may ever become part of Georgia again,
the former Abkhaz justice minister and chairman of “We Ourselves”
movement, Paata Davitaya, has said while commenting on rumors about
the possible reopening of the railway.

The rail line originates in the Russian resort city of Sochi, crosses
Abkhazia and Georgia’s Akhalkalaki region and then goes into Armenia
and Iran. According to the expert, Armenia is particularly interested
in the railway operating.

“Blocked from all directions, Armenia may obtain access to
international markets through this line. Moscow has certain interests
at stake too, because Russia can thus maintain direct contact with
Armenia, its biggest ally in the Caucasus, and its own military bases
there,” Davitaya said.

The Armenian lobby has been campaigning for the reopening the Abkhaz
railway line, but the move is not welcomed by Washington. The Georgian
expert said the reason is that the line stretches into Iran as well.

“Russia intends to use the line to withdraw nuclear waste from Iran,”
Davitaya said.

The Abkhaz expert added that the establishment of a quadrilateral
consortium (Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Abkhazia) to revitalize the
railway line was unlikely to be a success without Azerbaijan taking
part in it.

“Tbilisi can agree to the opening of the line provided two conditions
are met: that refugees return to Abkhazia and that control over the
railway is exercised by the Georgian customs and border troops,” he
said and added that if otherwise was the case, it would be impossible
to keep track of the cargoes. As a result, Russian military supplies
will undermine military balance and create further tension at a time
when conflicts are still flaring in the region.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress