WIKILEAKS: “Shamba said that if anyone in Russia tried to annex the Republic, Abkhaz would stand up to fight”

According to Wikileaks, in spring of 2008, one of the leaders of the separatist government of Abkhazia stated that “if anyone in Russia tried to annex the Republic, Abkhaz would stand up to fight and its allies in Northern Caucasus would come with help.”

According to Wikileaks, US Ambassador to Georgia John Tefft introduced Shamba’s position to Washington in the report dated for spring of 2008.

According to these data, the material also talks about the reaction of Tbilisi to Russia’s actions towards the rebellious regions.

According to Wikileaks, Tefft stated that Georgian government presented a new scheme for conflict resolution and offered wide autonomy, the post of Vice-President and creation of free economic zone to Abkhazians. This plan was first rejected by Moscow, then by Sokhumi. However, later Sokhumi started to talk about conducting direct negotiations with Tbilisi. While meeting with American and European diplomats Sergey Shamba criticized West Approaches and complained that Europeans are not giving any alternative to Abkhazians, states Tefft, according to Wikileaks.

Tefft emphasized that Shamba would not allow to present such opinions publicly.

The telegrams show that originally straight anti-Georgian and pro-Russian attitude of the President Sergey Bagapsh had been changing as the bonds with Moscow tightened. Originally Bagapsh didn’t want even hear about any negotiations with Georgians. Later on he agreed to do so. His main precondition was to take out Georgian Special Forces from Kodori Valley. Later, Bagapsh agreed to replace Georgian and Abkhazian police forces by EU or UN police force. He were to tell European officials that Europe should be quick for “Russia act very quick and strengthen its political and military presence in Abkhazia,” - Tefft wrote, according to Wikileaks.

According to him, in order to lessen Abkhazians’ anger, Russia decided to abolish economic sanctions and doubled the amount of Russia’s peace forces in the region of Abkhazia.

Information Agency Pirveli