Abkhaz de facto President Bagapsh 17 Feb signed military cooperation deal in Moscow allowing Russia to station military base with at least 3,000 troops in Abkhazia and police de facto border with Georgia for at least 49 years. Georgia decried deal as violation of Aug 2008 6-point ceasefire agreement signed between Russia, Georgia. France 8 Feb announced readiness to sell 1 or more Mistral warships to Russia in unprecedented deal entailing significant upgrade of Russian military deployment capability. Move met with resistance by NATO East European allies but no formal objection by Alliance. Georgian President Saakashvili 17 Feb said agreement a matter of serious concern, will take up issue with President Sarkozy. Russia, South Ossetia (SO) 1 Feb negotiated visa-free travel agreement effective 1 March.

Govt 27 Jan endorsed “State Strategy on Occupied Territories: Engagement Through Cooperation” proposing intensification of economic, cultural, educational links, extending healthcare and social security benefits to break-away territories; Abkhaz de facto FM rejected engagement without conferral of equal status; South Ossetian (SO) authorities refrained from comment. European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) 8 Jan called for meeting between SO, Georgian authorities within framework of confl prevention and reaction mechanism after another detention case 4 Jan, this time of SO man by Georgian forces; SO continued boycotting EUMM meetings demanding clarification of whereabouts of missing persons. Following new regulation in predominantly ethnic Georgian SO district of Akhalgori, from 10 Jan residents able to cross administrative border only if holding Russian identification documents. President Saakashvili 12 Jan announced civil defence, military classes to be introduced in schools next academic year.

Moving to end 4-year blockade, govt accepted Russian president Medvedev’s 9 Dec proposal to open Verkhny Lars/Zemo Larsi border crossing and restart direct flights. Russia strengthened ties with opposition “Movement for Fair Georgia” after party leader and former PM Noghaideli visited Moscow, and in 19 Dec Tshkinvali visit secured handover of 3 Georgian teenagers arrested in South Ossetia July and Nov. Russia mid-month deployed coast guard boats to southern Abkhazia, claiming to protect maritime traffic, in move described by Georgia as piracy. Incumbent Sergei Bagapsh won 12 Dec Abkhaz presidential elections, described as illegitimate by international community. Pacific island-state Nauru 15 Dec recognized Abkhazia’s independence after Russia promised it $50m in aid.

Increased tensions with Russia following accusations from Moscow, South Ossetia (SO), Abkhazia of Georgian military activity in breakaway republics, and arrests of Georgians by Russian troops reported near Abkhazian, SO administrative borders; latter included 4 teenagers arrested 4 Nov on charges of illegal border crossing, possession of explosives, triggering international outcry over detention of minors. Russia-Georgia Geneva talks 11 Nov focused on issue of border arrests; no agreement reached on new security regime on ground. EU Monitoring Mission 13 Nov announced plans to use satellite imagery to monitor conflict zones, provoking protest from SO, Abkhazia. SO 19 Nov pulled out of latest round of security talks with Georgian officials citing “procedural divergences”. Car belonging to Abkhaz opposition party official and office of its presidential candidate’s company blown up 19, 20 Nov; no casualties reported.

Georgian court 1 Sept sentenced captain of Turkish Abkhazia-bound tanker seized by authorities Aug to 24 years for illegal border crossing and smuggling, amid mounting tensions over Georgia’s sea blockade of Abkhazia. Abkhazia leader Bagapsh 2 Sept threatened to “destroy” Georgian ships entering Abkhazia’s “territorial waters” in response to Georgian “piracy”; Georgia said would hold Russia responsible for any attacks. Russia 15 Sept said it will detain any Georgian ships found off Abkhazian coast without permission, 21 Sept announced it had started patrolling waters. EU-sponsored report on Aug 2008 conflict 30 Sept said war started by Georgian attack, in response to months of Russian provocation. In 7th round of Geneva talks since Aug 2008 war, Georgian, Russian officials 17 Sept agreed to work towards deal on non-use of force, disagreed on international security arrangements. Russia 15 Sept signed 49-year deal with Abkhazia and South Ossetia (SO) for formal establishment of military bases with 1,700 troops. Venezuelan president Chavez in Moscow 10 Sept announced recognition of Abkhazia and SO. Abkhaz Orthodox Church 15 Sept officially split from Georgian Orthodox Church. Georgian authorities blamed explosion at train station in Zugdidi 15 Sept on terrorists.

Opposition parties met with interior minister 12 Aug followed by release of 10 activists arrested for role in April protests; 38 still detained. Russia 5 Aug accused Georgia of rearming with U.S. assistance, amid growing tensions ahead of 7 Aug one year anniversary of 2008 war. Ahead of 12 Aug visit to Abkhazia, Russian PM Putin announced plans to spend $489m to reinforce Abkhazia borders and strengthen Russian military operations there. Abkhazia 27 Aug announced transfer of control of its railway to Russia, prompting protest from Tbilisi. Russian President Medvedev 26 Aug said Moscow’s recognition of breakaway republics “irreversible”. U.S. 13 Aug announced plans to resume training Georgian troops to assist with counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan. Kveshi village 2 Aug reported Russian soldiers trying to relocate de facto border between South Ossetia (SO) and Georgia to bring village into SO; shift subsequently rolled back by EU monitors. Tbilisi accused Abkhazia of shooting into its territory 28 Aug, wounding 2 police. Georgia 18 Aug completed withdrawal from post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States. President Saakashvili 27 Aug sacked defence minister Sikharulidze; appointment of controversial replacement Bacho Akhalaya sparked widespread criticism.

Only 1,500 attended Tbilisi opposition rally 9 July marking 3 months since start of opposition campaign against govt; opposition 24 July suspended protests. Parliament 16 July approved much-criticised amendments to laws restricting protests and enhancing police powers. Opposition leader Irakli Alasania announced formation of new political party same day. President Saakashvili in address to parliament 20 July outlined package of proposals to appease opposition; opposition rejected proposals. U.S. VP Biden, warmly received in 2-day Tbilisi visit, 23 July reiterated U.S. support for Georgia. Ahead of visit, opposition released open letter to Biden calling for U.S. support for political reform. Georgian, Russian officials met for OSCE-facilitated talks in Geneva 1 July; no agreements reached. EU 27 July extended monitoring mission in Georgia until Sept 2010; no discussion on participation of non-EU states. Georgian, Abkhazia representatives met in Gali 14, 28 July within framework of joint incidents prevention mechanisms. Russian Deputy FM Karasin 23 July said Russia will take “concrete measures” to prevent Georgia rearming.

Month saw continued tensions with Russia, OSCE and UN missions forced to withdraw, violence targeted at EU observers, explosions in west and heightened domestic political tensions. Political deadlock continued amid ongoing opposition protests, several violent incidents against opposition supporters and ruling lawmakers and their supporters, several imprisonments of supposed “opposition activists” on unclear charges. 10 June meeting between President Saakashvili and key opposition figure Levan Gachechiladze produced no results. Russia 15 June vetoed UNSC resolution extending UN Observer Mission in Georgia, forcing closure of 16-yr old 150-strong mission. EU monitoring mission patrol targeted by mine on Georgia-Abkhazia administrative border 21 June, refused access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia (SO) 28 June. Mandate of 20-strong OSCE monitoring mission in SO expired 30 June. Govt reported grenade-launcher attacks from Abkhazia on police post 22 June. Pro-Russian parties won 31 May SO parliamentary elections. Abkhazia, SO participated in Russian military drills starting 29 June in North Caucasus. Early-June explosions on Zugdidi railway line in western Samegrelo region blamed on terrorists; one person injured. 1st bilateral meetings between U.S., Georgia 22 June under U.S.-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership.

Opposition protests continued. Some 30 hospitalised during 6 May clash between police and opposition supporters demanding release of 3 detained activists; over 60,000 joined protests on Independence Day 26 May. Saakashvili met with 4 opposition leaders 11 May. Mutiny by some 500 soldiers at Mukhrovani base 5 May quickly quelled; one suspect killed, 2 wounded during attempted arrest. NATO, U.S., EU 1 May expressed concern over 30 Apr deal on Russian protection of Abkhazia and SO de facto borders with Georgia; Russia started patrolling borders 2 May. Abkhaz VP Khajimba resigned late-May over disagreements with President Bagapsh. SO held parliamentary election 31 May, denounced by Tbilisi as illegal. 5th session of Geneva talks between Russia, Georgia, Abkhazia and SO took place 18-19 May; “some progress” reported. 18 May UN report recommended 12km demilitarized security zones on both sides of ceasefire line, regular UN monitoring of Kodori valley, regular meetings between sides. OSCE chair Greece 11 May proposed plan for new OSCE monitoring presence; Russia 13 May vetoed, insisting on language describing SO as independent; Greece 14 May suspended talks. NATO Partnership for Peace exercises commenced 6 May in Georgia. Govt 8 May signed “Southern Corridor” pipeline agreement with EU (see Azerbaijan).