MOSCOW. Oct 9 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has accused the Georgian authorities of being unable to settle the situation in Abkhazia's Kodori Gorge, where large groups of militants are operating.
"It is becoming absolutely clear that either the Georgian leadership lacks control over the situation on its soil or is manipulating terrorists to its ends," Ivanov told journalists on Tuesday.
Moscow "does not yet see real readiness on the part of the Georgian leadership to genuinely cooperate in the struggle against terror."
Ivanov notified journalists that on Monday the UN Secretariat convened an emergency meeting in the wake of a crash of a helicopter carrying UN military observers in Abkhazia.
"It was stated at the meeting that Chechen-Georgian militants shot down the helicopter. This proves the utmost seriousness of the situation on Georgian territory," Ivanov stressed.
However, "Russia has acknowledged Georgia's sovereignty over all of Georgia and will continue to do so," he said.