UPI

Russia defies U.S. on new Abkhaz, S. Ossetia bases
By MARTIN SIEFF
Published: Nov. 7, 2008 at 6:06 PM
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Russia is stepping up its presence in the two Georgian secessionist provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia following its successful mini-war against Georgia in August.

RIA Novosti reported Friday that the Russian army would activate two new military bases, one in South Ossetia and the other in Abkhazia, next year.

RIA Novosti cited a Russian Defense Ministry official in Moscow as saying the Abkhaz base would be located in Gudauta, in the west of the province, and the South Ossetian one would be located in Tskhinvali, the provincial capital. The report said each base would house 3,700 Russian troops.

The Russian move looks certain to infuriate the U.S. government, especially coming after the presidential election Tuesday that reduced incumbent George W. Bush to lame-duck status, while it will be more than two months before the 44th president, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., takes the oath of office.

Russia already has recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as separate republics following its successful mini-war against Georgia from Aug. 8-12, during which the Russian army brushed aside the U.S.-trained and -equipped Georgian regular army and occupied a third of the remote former Soviet republic in the Caucasus in only five days.

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