- ISM Colorado Homeland Security News & Research - http://ismcolorado.com -
Russia / Georgia (Country threat levels - 3 / 4):
Posted By Tim McDowell On August 25, 2008 @ 7:45 am In HLD | No Comments
On 25 August 2008 Russian lawmakers voted in favor of South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence and have called on Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to recognize the Georgian separatist regions as independent states. At this time, neither the U.N. nor Russia recognizes the regions as independent, and any effort by Russia to do so stands to increase diplomatic tensions.
As of 25 August, Russian forces remain in some areas of western Georgia, including around the port of Poti, despite assertions by the United States and others that their presence is in violation of the cease-fire agreement, which calls for a return to pre-conflict positions. Although there have been no recent reports of fighting, Georgian officials have alleged that Russia was behind the 24 August bombing of a fuel train in central Georgia. The train reportedly struck a landmine and then exploded near an abandoned military base outside the city of Gori. At least 10 of the train tankers caught fire; however, emergency services were able to unhook other carts to stop further damage. The train line runs through Tbilisi to the Black Sea ports and is a major trade line for oil from Azerbaijan to the rest of Europe. No injuries or casualties were reported, and the railway has since reopened.
The United States continues to send aid to Georgia. On 24 August, A U.S. navy warship arrived in the port of Batumi with humanitarian aid. Two more U.S. ships are expected to arrive in the same port within the next few days.
Article printed from ISM Colorado Homeland Security News & Research: http://ismcolorado.com
URL to article: http://ismcolorado.com/2008/08/25/russia-georgia-country-threat-levels-3-4/
Click here to print.