BRIEF: Georgia Scolds Russia Over Talks Of Abkhazia Military Base

TBILISI, Georgia - Officials in Georgia scolded Russia today over its alleged plans to establish a military base in the separatist Abkhazia region of Georgia.  Georgia warned that such a move by Russian officials would be irresponsible and would violate international law.

Russian authorities downplayed the accusation and denied that such a plan is, or ever was, in place.  And while Russia does not formally recognize Abkhazia's separatist government, it maintains very close ties to the people living in the region. 

Abkhazia continues to seek redress of its grievances with Georgia via independence, and it is of great concern to the international community that one small incident could touch off military aggression between these two sides.  The region has ruled itself since the secessionist war that occurred in the 1990s, a conflict that was ripe with acts of impunity committed against persons in the region taking part.    

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Yahoo (AP) - Russia, Georgia joust over talk on Abkhazia base - 15 May 2008