Russian-Georgia relations deteriorate in the face of accusations of illegal entry into Georgian airspace

Published: 7/8/1999

Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi have deteriorated once more. Eduard Shevardnadze recently publicly accused Russia of “acts of piracy in the sky above Georgia”. The flight of four Russian MIG-29 fighters over Georgia, a matter that appeared to be of little importance at first, is threatening to degenerate into a major brawl and mark the end of normal relations between the two countries. Moreover, it is jeopardizing the prospects of Russia's military presence in the Caucasus. The Georgian National Security Council has urgently adopted a “program to reinforce protection of the sky above the country”. Its implementation may force Russia off its bases in Armenia, the only Russian outposts in the region. In order to reach Yerevan or Gyumri, Russian combat aircraft have to fly over Georgia or Azerbaijan. Given the relations between Yerevan and Baku over the Karabakh problem, the latter route is a sheer impossibility. A row with Georgia may result in isolation of the Russian military bases in Armenia, and not only isolation in the air. As far as ground routes are concerned, Russia will be left with only dubious transit possibilities via Iran. According to Shevardnadze, “Georgia's air borders will soon be reliably protected thanks to our friends and allies”. Negotiations between the Georgian Defence Ministry and the Pentagon, within the framework of the so-called Military Space Initiative, have already resulted in Washington's promise of $18m to Tbilisi. The money will be used to establish radar stations to control civil and military flights. Afterwards, the installations will make up the nucleus of the national anti-aircraft defence system. For the time being, neither side is saying anything about deliveries of aviation and anti-aircraft equipment. So far, Concise only knows of the gift of ten Iroquois combat helicopters to Georgia). But the goal of the Georgian-American negotiations - the safe functioning of the Eurasian transport corridor and the Baku-Supsa pipeline - will demand that the problem of weapons procurement be brought up sooner or later.

Article ID: 670