HAS TBILISI CO-OPTED CHECHENS TO ATTACK SOUTH OSSETIA?
Dmitry Medoev, who is South Ossetia’s permanent representative in the Russian Federation, told journalists in Moscow recently that there is a “high possibility” that Georgian intelligence has recruited Chechen militants and “international terrorists” to participate in an anticipated attack on South Ossetia between July 10-20, Caucasus Press reported on July 10. Noting that the Georgian leadership and the Chechen resistance have a shared interest in undermining Russian influence throughout the Caucasus, Medoev alleged that a multiethnic militant group led by the brothers Ismailov is currently undergoing training in Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge to launch such an attack. Whether or not Medoev’s claims are true, they could be adduced as the rationale for a Russian attack on Pankisi in line with threats made by Russian President Putin four years ago (see “RFE/RL Newsline,” September 12, 2002). LF ABKHAZIA DENIES REPORTS OF RUSSIAN WEAPONS DEPLOYMENT Sultan Sosnaliev, who is defense minister of t
