18:15, 16 February 2004

Abkhazian Defense Ministry denounces detention of Russian fishing boat by Georgian military

First Deputy Defense Minister, Chief of the Abkhazian Armed Forces' General Staff Vladimir Arshba declared, "The incident at see (Editor's note: It happened on 12 February.) proves that the new Georgian leadership keep on hatching out aggressive plans against Abkhazia." General Vladimir Arshba warned that if such a situation recurred, Abkhazia would find a way to defend its interests at sea, as well as a way to defend peace fishermen. He also stressed the Abkhazian party disclaimed all the responsibility for possible consequences of the further developments. "We will do our best not to let the same things happen again," said General Vladimir Arshba.

Editors note: See also the article "Abkhazian authorities denounce detention of Ukrainian ship by Georgian frontier guards".

Author: Anzhela Kuchuberiya, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot