One army for two – BBC

Russia has offered Abkhazia a variant of the contract of alliance and integration. He suggests a number of measures aimed at rapprochement between the two countries, the main of which – closer cooperation in the military sphere. Text of the draft does not exclude even the creation of the unified armed forces. Meanwhile, for the Abkhaz society own army – one of the pillars of identity, and not the fact that the present form of contract will be interpreted unambiguously positive.

In the Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia submitted a draft treaty on the alliance and integration with Russia. The project is proposed by Moscow, and, as emphasized in Sukhumi, he can still be subject to adjustment. First, the parliament and the Abkhaz authorities give their feedback, then a working group to discuss the final version with the Russian side.

One of the main points concerns the expansion of military cooperation. Several articles in the proposed project involves the creation of the united forces (UGA). In this case, its strength, and most importantly, the legal status with respect to the armies of the two countries in the contract is not written, and it opens the door to a variety of interpretations up to the radical – the merger of the armed forces under the authority of Russia.

For the first time the idea has been designated appropriate even in the agreement on military cooperation between the two countries five years ago, but then it was no more than a declaration of intent: “Depending on the military and political situation, and in order to ensure security in the region, the Parties shall consider the need for a joint groups of forces ».

In the present article, the fifth of the proposed treaty says that UGA will be created” to repel aggression (armed attack) in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. ” This formulation suggests that we are talking about the formation of Interim Force in the event of a military conflict. Actually, it logically follows from that same 51th article, which states that the organization’s charter “in no way impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack on the Member, until the Security Council decides measures necessary to maintain international peace and security ».

However, the seventh article suggests the creation of a permanent structure,” Not later than one year after the entry into force of this Treaty, the Contracting Parties shall establish a joint grouping of troops (forces) Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Abkhazia is running the Unified Command. ” Immediately said that “during the immediate threat of aggression and war,” Joint Force Commander will appoint Moscow.

It is only logical that the contract presupposes that an attack on one country will automatically be considered aggression against another.

Finally, the next article project dispels the last doubts that Russia planned a full-scale military integration of the Caucasian republic.

«In order to achieve operational (tactical) the compatibility of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Abkhazia with the armed forces of the Russian Federation not later than three years from the date of entry into force of this Treaty, the Contracting Parties shall undertake phased harmonization of standards of military control, logistics, money allowances and social security of servicemen, as well as co-organizing training of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Abkhazia in accordance with the regulations of the Russian Federation ».

In fact, it is not so much reform of the Abkhazian army Russian-style (very different size and fighting missions of the armed forces of the two countries), but under the leadership of Russian specialists.

According to the expert on the Caucasus Ivan Sukhov, it can become almost the main stumbling block to the Abkhaz side. Russian forces today – it’s a permanent army of the modern type, while the Abkhaz forces rely more on reservists, ready at the right time with the arms to defend the independence of the republic. Behind many Abkhaz military experience of war with Georgia, they remain white bone of the local society. Any, even inevitable, reform will be perceived painful.

Even today, in the territory of the Republic deployed about five thousand Russian troops, and it is twice more than a constant number of Abkhaz troops.

Will the future UGA combined army or some third, buffer, education, from pre-text of the treaty is not clear, but it is obvious that the vector lies precisely in the direction of actually turning the Abkhazian army Russian military structure. At least because when the part of the Abkhaz military UGA itself Abkhazian army would be negligible.

Meanwhile, the passage of the treaty through the Abkhazian parliament risk facing obstacles.

Deputies reminds Suhov here is not nearly as “unified” as in Russia, and it can form a sufficiently serious Fronde, especially since they were elected under ousted predecessor of the current president Ruslan Hadzhibmy – Ankvab. However, they eventually largely formed the backbone of the opposition to the latter, but it only confirms the independent political role of the legislative body.