Russian troops took the port of Poti

Oscar · 08-19-2008, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Russian Troops Seize Georgian Port
By GUY CHAZAN
August 19, 2008 4:02 a.m.

POTI, Georgia -- Russian troops seized control of the economically vital Georgian port of Poti Tuesday morning, a day after Moscow said it had begun pulling its forces out of Georgia.

Thomas Dworzak/The Wall Street Journal

An armed Ossetian soldier stands besides evacuated Georgians.
At about 9 a.m. local time, some 70 Russian peacekeeping forces entered the port grounds on seven armored personnel carriers, according to Georgian government and port officials. They detained 20 Georgian soldiers stationed in the port and confiscated their weapons, then took up positions on the territory of the port, occasionally moving in and out on armored personnel carriers and in Russian army jeeps.

"They're looking for anything that can be construed as military equipment," said Alan Middleton, chief executive of Poti Sea Port Corp.

A Journal reporter on the scene saw large numbers of port workers, police and local officials are milling around outside the entrance, which has been closed off by Russian troops.

The Russian move is another big blow to Georgia's economy just as intense diplomatic efforts by the European Union and Washington appeared to have succeeded in winning Russia's commitment to a pull-out. The conflict first blew up on Aug. 7, when Georgia attacked its breakaway region of South Ossetia, triggering a massive Russian counter-attack. Russian forces have since occupied all of South Ossetia as well as areas deep into Georgian territory.

Poti Sea Port Corp is 51% owned by the investment authority of Ras Al Khaimah, one of the United Arab Emirates. It is Georgia's busiest port and a key gateway for the region, last year handling eight million tons of cargo. A big expansion plan is in the works which will triple the port's capacity. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has said Poti will be turned into a free economic zone and Ras Al Khaimah was planning an ambitious new industrial development next to the port.

Poti is a critical entry point not only for Georgia but also for its neighbors Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the land-locked nations of Central Asia. The flow of goods into Poti and other Georgian Black Sea ports like Batumi has already been disrupted by the war, especially the Russian occupation of Gori, which has severed the main east-west arterial road through Georgia.

The port was closed for two days after Russian planes bombed Poti on Aug. 8, at the start of the war, but since then it had been operating normally.

Now this is getting serious...

Eugene120 · 08-19-2008, 05:25 AM

Now tell me, if it'd be true, then why should Russia do that while talking about and actually beginning the pull-out of forces? All that looks like a fake IMHO. I think some kind of refutation will follow... let's see.

snapper · 08-19-2008, 05:34 AM

This would also block any American navy vessels from bringing 'aid'...

Zaphael · 08-19-2008, 06:12 AM

That would probably indicate they are slamming the doors shut, for a full-scale-annexation of Georgia.

Injecteer · 08-19-2008, 06:30 AM

I don't think Russia is dreaming about annexing Georgia at all

Why would it need it? RF could rather annex Belorussia, because belorussians wouldn't vote against it. Belorussia is better developed, has modern army, strong industry and agriculture.

And still Belorussia is not annexed. Why annex poor Georgia? to get another million of hungry bums ?

Oscar · 08-19-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene120

Now tell me, if it'd be true, then why should Russia do that while talking about and actually beginning the pull-out of forces? All that looks like a fake IMHO. I think some kind of refutation will follow... let's see.

Looks like it has been confirmed by AP:

The Associated Press: Russian soldiers take prisoners in Georgia port

In the same day they exchange prisoners with the Georgians they take 20 more, doesn't sound very encouraging...I think the Russians will try to play the clock, while awaiting the western reactions for each of their move. They will take as much of Georgia as it is diplomatically tolerable for NATO. This being their arch enemy and a major ally of the Bush Administration in the region, trying to weaken Sakashvili to the fullest possible extent is a quite predictable behaviour, coming from Putin.

Ray · 08-19-2008, 16:05 PM

Good for Russia.

Can't have a schoolboy throwing tantrums leading a country like Saaskavelli!

**Lunatock** · 08-20-2008, 00:20 AM

I also read a bit about the russian army stealing four Humvees set to be shipped back to the U.S.

I do believe the lend-lease program of WW2 is long over. And that's just a case of russian soldiers being as theft happy as they've been with the belongings of Chechens and Georgians.

Skywatcher · 08-20-2008, 13:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunatock

I also read a bit about the russian army stealing four Humvees set to be shipped back to the U.S.

I do believe the lend-lease program of WW2 is long over. And that's just a case of russian soldiers being as theft happy as they've been with the belongings of Chechens and Georgians.

They could just as easily buy Humvees from China though. China has licensed production of the Hummer and used it for PLA and PAP missions. Dr. Fisher is having a royal fit about that.

Stitch · 08-20-2008, 14:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunatock

I also read a bit about the russian army stealing four Humvees set to be shipped back to the U.S.

I do believe the lend-lease program of WW2 is long over. And that's just a case of russian soldiers being as theft happy as they've been with the belongings of Chechens and Georgians.

They did; they were Humvees destined to be shipped back to US bases after having been used in a joint Georgian-US military exercise last month. They impounded those, and all other Georgian military hardware that wasn't nailed down. Besides, why pay for a Humvee when you can impound one?

The Black Ghost · 08-21-2008, 00:00 AM

I thought Russia already had control of Poti, along with Gori.

Their just asserting their authority there a bit more bluntly.

Eugene120 · 08-21-2008, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Ghost

I thought Russia already had control of Poti, along with Gori.

And let me ask WHY did you think that way?

08-19-2008, 16:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ray Suspended Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 29,172 Country:	Good for Russia. Can't have a schoolboy throwing tantrums leading a country like Saaskavelli! __________________ "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination." I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to. HAKUNA MATATA

08-21-2008, 00:00 AM	#11 (permalink)
The Black Ghost Regular Join Date: 04-23-07 Location: Everywhere and nowhere Posts: 111 Country:	I thought Russia already had control of Poti, along with Gori. Their just asserting their authority there a bit more bluntly. __________________ 'Much madness is divinest sense'

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08-19-2008, 05:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Eugene120 New Member Join Date: 08-15-08 Location: Moscow Posts: 16 Country:	Now tell me, if it'd be true, then why should Russia do that while talking about and actually beginning the pull-out of forces? All that looks like a fake IMHO. I think some kind of refutation will follow... let's see.

08-19-2008, 05:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
snapper Contributor Join Date: 08-12-08 Location: UK/Europe Posts: 610 Country:	This would also block any American navy vessels from bringing 'aid'...

08-19-2008, 06:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zaphael *Military Professional* Join Date: 05-19-06 Location: Singapore Posts: 212 Country:	That would probably indicate they are slamming the doors shut, for a full-scale-annexation of Georgia.

08-19-2008, 06:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
Injecteer Patron Join Date: 10-01-04 Posts: 245 Country:	I don't think Russia is dreaming about annexing Georgia at all Why would it need it? RF could rather annex Belorussia, because belorussians wouldn't vote against it. Belorussia is better developed, has modern army, strong industry and agriculture. And still Belorussia is not annexed. Why annex poor Georgia? to get another million of hungry bums ?

08-20-2008, 00:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lunatock Staff Emeritus Join Date: 08-03-03 Location: Southeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,528 Country:	I also read a bit about the russian army stealing four Humvees set to be shipped back to the U.S. I do believe the lend-lease program of WW2 is long over. And that's just a case of russian soldiers being as theft happy as they've been with the belongings of Chechens and Georgians.

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