RUSSIA STANDS BEHIND ABKHAZ CLAIM OF MAY 4

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001255

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA STANDS BEHIND ABKHAZ CLAIM OF MAY 4
SHOOTDOWN OF GEORGIAN UAVS

Classified By: DCM Daniel A. Russell for reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) The Russian MFA released a statement on May 4
criticizing Georgia for sending two more UAVs over the
security zone in Abkhazia and supporting Abkhazia for
destroying them. The statement read that "according to
information from Sukhumi, Abkhaz AIR defense forces on May 4
destroyed two Georgian UAVs, which were conducting
unsanctioned flights over the security zone." The statement
accused Georgia of ignoring Russia's multiple warnings about
violating the 1994 Moscow Agreement, engaging in
"adventurism," and "consciously" escalating the level of
tension in the region by "forcing military preparations"
close to the conflict zone. The statement closed by warning
that "all responsibility for the consequences of such a
course lay on the Georgian side."


2. (C) In our May 5 conversation, MFA Fourth CIS Deputy
Director Aleksey Pavlovskiy stood by the MFA statement,
despite recent Georgian official statements that the Abkhaz
shootdown claim was "disinformation and a provocation from
Russia." While declining to engage in the specifics of the
alleged May 4 incident, including the implicit claim that the
Abkhaz possessed anti-air defense systems in the conflict
zone, Pavlovskiy said that Georgia has a history of first
denying an incident and then subsequently "changing its
story."


3. (C) Pavlovskiy took on board our message that Russia
should restrain the Abkhaz leadership from making incendiary
comments and conceded that statements from the Abkhaz
ministry of defense that it was prepared to respond to
Georgian aggression by "bringing military activities to the
enemy territory" were "a little strong." However, he
countered that Georgian statements were no less incendiary
and was pleased that the U.S. continued to encourage Georgia
to exercise restraint. Pavlovskiy commented that although it
was clear the statements from both sides were meant to "scare
the other," the consequences of such a policy course were
unpredictable and destabilizing.


4. (C) Pavlovskiy stressed that the mediators should be
focusing their attention on undertaking efforts to prevent a
military conflict. He claimed that Russia's decision to
increase its peacekeeping FORCE in the region to "mitigate
against Georgian destabilizing moves" was based on this
fundamental objective. Pavlovskiy confirmed that
approximately 2,500 Russian PKF are now in Abkhazia, but was
not willing to provide more information on the timing of
possible additional troop deployments.

BURNS