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GEORGIA WARNS AGAINST 'OFFENSIVE' RUSSIAN EXERCISE
Democracy & Freedom Watch
http://dfwatch.net/georgia-warns-against-%E2%80%98offensive%E2%80%99-russian-exercise-94242
Jan 17 2012
TBILISI, DFWatch - Russia's South Strategic Command is planning the
exercise 'Caucasus 2012' in September.
Foreign military attaches were briefed about the exercise at a meeting
in Moscow last December with the head of the Russian military's chief
of staff. It will involve not only army but also border guards, air
force, interior ministry, security and emergency services, as well
as what is called the Air Defense Force Management System.
This air defense system controls not only Russian skies but also covers
the South Caucasus, justified by the need to protect the Russian base
in Armenia, Nezavisimaia Gazeta reports.
According to Russian defense sources, unlike in previous exercised,
this year it will also take place inside Georgia's breakaway regions,
Abkhazia and the South Ossetia, as well as in Armenia.
Georgia's Foreign Ministry warned Tuesday that the exercise is
offensive in nature and a provocation meant to stoke 'permanent
tension' in Georgia and the Black Sea region.
"The international community should pay attention to the fact that
the Russian foreign policy is not changed. It continues aggressive
actions, including demonstrating military forces and provocations.
Russia is the source of destabilization and negative events on the
international arena," the statement says.
But Nezavisimaia Gazeta reports that the background for the exercise is
increased tension in the Persian Gulf and the danger of a U.S.-Israeli
attack on Iran and that this would necessitate steps to protect the
Russian troops stationed around the Caucasus region.
Democracy & Freedom Watch
http://dfwatch.net/georgia-warns-against-%E2%80%98offensive%E2%80%99-russian-exercise-94242
Jan 17 2012
TBILISI, DFWatch - Russia's South Strategic Command is planning the
exercise 'Caucasus 2012' in September.
Foreign military attaches were briefed about the exercise at a meeting
in Moscow last December with the head of the Russian military's chief
of staff. It will involve not only army but also border guards, air
force, interior ministry, security and emergency services, as well
as what is called the Air Defense Force Management System.
This air defense system controls not only Russian skies but also covers
the South Caucasus, justified by the need to protect the Russian base
in Armenia, Nezavisimaia Gazeta reports.
According to Russian defense sources, unlike in previous exercised,
this year it will also take place inside Georgia's breakaway regions,
Abkhazia and the South Ossetia, as well as in Armenia.
Georgia's Foreign Ministry warned Tuesday that the exercise is
offensive in nature and a provocation meant to stoke 'permanent
tension' in Georgia and the Black Sea region.
"The international community should pay attention to the fact that
the Russian foreign policy is not changed. It continues aggressive
actions, including demonstrating military forces and provocations.
Russia is the source of destabilization and negative events on the
international arena," the statement says.
But Nezavisimaia Gazeta reports that the background for the exercise is
increased tension in the Persian Gulf and the danger of a U.S.-Israeli
attack on Iran and that this would necessitate steps to protect the
Russian troops stationed around the Caucasus region.