GEORGIA INCREASING MILITARY SPENDING TO THREATEN ABKHAZIA, S. OSSETIA – LEADERS

Interfax News Agency
April 15 2008
Russia

Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh and South Ossetian President Eduard
Kokoity have said they believe that the fact that Georgia is increasing
its military spending threatens their republics and vowed to jointly
oppose this threat.

"Why is Georgia arming? It is doing so not against Russia, Armenia,
or Azerbaijan. It will fight against South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We
should be united in case there is a military threat against one of
our republics – Abkhazia, South Ossetia, or Transdniestria," Bagapsh
said at a press conference in Sukhumi on Tuesday.

All steps taken by the leaders of the self-proclaimed republics are
aimed at ensuring security of their peoples, he said.

"We also have friends and foes. We pin our hopes on the Russian
Federation and do not conceal this. What Russia is doing in relation
to Abkhazia and South Ossetia these days lies within the framework of
that great phenomenon that is called mutual assistance," Bagapsh said.

Kokoity noted that growing military spending "cannot be something
Georgia should be proud of, as it has no neighboring countries
threatening its security."

He also insisted that the existing conflicts cannot be resolved
militarily.