SERGEI MINASYAN: ESCALATION OF GEORGIAN-ABKHAZIAN CONFLICT PROMISES NO GOOD FOR ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.05.2008 14:31 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Military operations are unlikely in the
Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone, an Armenian political scientist said.
"Influence from outside is great. Neither the U.S. nor Russia will
allow Georgia to start war. Russia pressurizes deliberately, using
the Abkhazian factor for replenishing its peacekeeping contingent.
Meanwhile, Georgia tries to gain internal political dividends on the
threshold of parliamentary elections.
Saakashvili did the same last October. So, I do not think that
increasing of the Russian contingent up to 3000 peacekeepers can act
as detonator," Georgia expert Sergei Minasyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter.
"If a war starts, it will spread over to South Ossetia, thus
jeopardizing regional security. Such a scenario promises no good for
Armenia, taking into account the importance of communications and
specific relations with Russia. Georgia eyes Armenia as a pro-Russian
state. But as a matter of fact, we hold a neutral stand," he said.
The Russian leadership has recently accused Georgia of preparing a
springboard for attack on Abkhazia. "The number of Georgian troops
exceeds 1500 in the upper segment of the Kodor gorge," the Russian
Foreign Ministry said.
Meanwhile, member of Georgian Interior Ministry Shota Utiashvili
described it as "misinformation aimed to deteriorate the situation
in the conflict zone."
On April 29, the Russian Defense Ministry announced replenishment of
peacekeeping forces in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. "Any Georgia’s
attempt to use force to resolve the conflicts will be rebuffed
adequately and toughly," the Ministry said.