From: MSN Nicknamepsychoteddybear24 (Original Message) Sent: 7/2/2008 7:43 AM
Georgia warns of crisis over border closure
Web posted at: 7/2/2008 1:49:31
Source ::: AFP
TBILISI • Georgia yesterday called on the separatist region of Abkhazia to reopen its border with the rest of the country, warning of a “humanitarian catastrophe” for thousands of Georgians trapped inside.
Abkhazia closed its border crossings with the rest of Georgia yesterday following a string of explosions in the region that injured 10 people. Abkhaz officials blamed Georgia for the attacks, but Tbilisi denied any involvement. “This will cause a humanitarian catastrophe that will only increase tensions in the region,” Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said.
A narrow strip of land on the Black Sea, Abkhazia has recently become a centre of tensions between pro-Western Georgia and its giant neighbour Russia, which Tbilisi accuses of propping up the rebels.
Utiashvili said the border closure would have a devastating effect on thousands of ethnic Georgians living in Abkhazia’s eastern Gali district.
The region’s residents, who are prevented by Abkhaz authorities from travelling to other parts of Abkhazia, rely on trade and connections with Georgian-controlled territory to survive, he said.
“If this continues, there will be starvation in Gali-they will not be able to get food or medical supplies,” Utiashvili said. Abkhazia has closed the border before, but never for more than a brief period, he said.
“We hope the international community will put pressure on the Abkhaz and the Russians to have the border re-opened,” he said.
Ruslan Kishmariya, Abkhaz leader Sergei Bagapsh’s representative in Gali, confirmed that the border was closed as of yesterday morning.
He said many local residents were unaware of the decision and were turned away at the main border crossing, over the Inguri River.
“Unfortunately, not all local residents watch television so some did not know about the decision…. There were groups of people hoping to cross this morning but they returned to their villages after explanations from border guards,” he said.
Kishmariya said the ban on cross-border travel would not apply to international organisations or Russian peacekeepers operating in the area.
Bagapsh told Russia’s Interfax news agency that a decision on reopening the border will depend on the security situation.
“We will see how events unfold and if the situation stabilises an appropriate decision will be made,” he said.
Abkhaz officials say this week’s attacks were aimed at disrupting the holiday season in the separatist territory, which hosts thousands of Russian tourists along its Black Sea coast every year.
