EQUIPO NIZKOR |
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27Aug08
Naval show of force: 150 km between Russian Black Sea Fleet and NATO navy
By the end of August 2008, the Black Sea became a site of show of the world's greatest navies. As reported earlier, flagship of Russian Black Sea cruiser ''Moskva'' and missile cruiser ''Ivanovets'' are currently at anchorage in the Abkhazian capital Sukhum's water zone. Three more ships of the Russian Black Sea navy had moored in Abkhazian water zone earlier. According to Vice Admiral, Commander of of Novorossiisk Naval Base Sergey Meniaylo, the Russian ships are carrying out the task of maintaining peace and stability in Abkhazia and her territorial waters.
Meanwhile, on Aug 27, a second US warship Dallas entered the port of Batumi (Ajaria, Georgia). Earlier in the morning, the vessel had been expected in the port of Poti, where a solemn ceremony was prepared, but the decision on the mooring port was ultimately changed. The port of Poti is partly controlled by the Russian military. Several days ago, a US destroyer McFaul arrived in the Batumi seaport. The third warship sent by the US to the Georgian coast is USS Mount Whitney. The ship has left Italian port Gaeta where ships of the US Navy's Sixth Fleet ships are deployed, and is ''ready to head'' to the Black Sea. Overall, there is now 10 warships of NATO navy in the Black Sea water zone, including ships of Spain, Poland, Germany, and others.
In the situation of NATO's increasing the number of its warships near the Abkhazian coastline, the Russian navy started tracking action of the guests, Deputy Chief of General Staff Colonel General Anatoly Nogovitsyn stated on Aug 27.
There is now a distance of about 150 kilometers between the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the Sukhum's water zone and US Navy ships moored in the port of Batumi.
Abkhazian authorities warmly greeted Russian seamen. President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh stated that the Abkhazian side is interested in the Black Sea Fleet ships' temporarily being stationed in the republic's territorial waters. ''You know yourself what a vigorous activity is now under way in Georgia, Batumi and Poti, aimed to reinforce the NATO navy presence. And we are going to take counter measures,'' he said.
There is now a distance of about 150 kilometers between the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the Sukhum's water zone and US Navy ships moored in the port of Batumi.
[Source: Regnum, Moscow, 27Aug08]
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