Moscow Worried By Georgian Buildup Near South Ossetia, Abkhazia

[Purveyor]

MOSCOW, January 23 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday Georgia's expanding military presence on the borders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia continued to be a matter for grave concern.

It said the Georgian military and police presence called for "special attention on the part of the UN and other international organizations operating in the region."

A week ago, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference that, "EU monitors working in areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia have been reporting a buildup of Georgian military units and special forces near the borders with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and our 'technical devices' have also recorded this. Provocations also occur sporadically. We are concerned by this."

Moscow criticized on Thursday a refusal by Tbilisi to allow Russian inspectors access to military installations on its territory.

Russia requested on January 19 and 21 that Georgia allow its experts access to Georgian military installations for evaluation and verification checks in accordance with a 1999 Vienna OSCE document on confidence and security-building measures. Georgia rejected both requests.

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RIA NOVOSTI: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090123/119775135.html

[agentS]

1. What, they want another ass-whopping?

Didn't they learn from the last encounter? Don't mess with the Russians!

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. And how would that differ from Gaza?