Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Times
May 11, 2008
Pg. 4
Georgia
SUKHUMI — A senior U.S. envoy yesterday traveled to the breakaway region of Abkhazia seeking to quell spiraling tensions between the federal government and the Russian-backed province.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza urged both sides to jump-start negotiations in order to avoid a renewed armed conflict.
Western-leaning Georgia and Abkhazia are at the center of a struggle between Moscow and the West for influence in the strategically located South Caucasus. Tensions are high with Georgia pushing aggressively for NATO membership and trying to draw closer to the United States.
May 11, 2008
Pg. 4
Georgia
SUKHUMI — A senior U.S. envoy yesterday traveled to the breakaway region of Abkhazia seeking to quell spiraling tensions between the federal government and the Russian-backed province.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza urged both sides to jump-start negotiations in order to avoid a renewed armed conflict.
Western-leaning Georgia and Abkhazia are at the center of a struggle between Moscow and the West for influence in the strategically located South Caucasus. Tensions are high with Georgia pushing aggressively for NATO membership and trying to draw closer to the United States.