Tensions Flare In Georgia's Separatist Provinces

Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi came under strain earlier this week when Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili threatened to sink any Russian ship that approaches the breakaway region of Abkhazia. In a separate development, a Russian lawmaker yesterday came under fire while traveling to South Ossetia from Georgia. Both incidents came amid increased tensions sparked by recent violence and Saakashvili's repeated pledges to reassert control over Georgia's two breakaway provinces. Addressing reporters 3 August, hours before leaving for the United States, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said he had issued orders to sink any ship that attempted to reach the Black Sea province of Abkhazia without Tbilisi's consent. "Regarding Abkhazia, I issued orders earlier and I confirm them now. We must open fire on all ships entering our waters and sink them immediately," Saakashvili said. "To the so-called Russian tourists [that come to Abkhazia], I say the following: Don't come and spread your deck chairs in places that are still soaked with Georgian blood and where [people] used to play with Georgian skulls!" This is the strongest warning given on Abkhazia by the Georgian leader since he won his election to the presidency in January. In the recent past, Georgian coast-guard officers have arrested Turkish ships and other vessels trying to enter Abkhazia's waterways. But this is the first time Saakashvili -- who has made the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity a central policy goal -- has directly threatened Russia."I was surprised to hear the statement made by the Georgian leadership regarding the Black Sea waterways near Abkhazia's coast. Generally speaking, it smacks of piracy." -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov