TBILISI. Dec 2 (Interfax-AVN) - The command of the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone believes the suspension of railroad traffic through the Abkhaz section of the Russian-Georgian border will not affect the peacekeepers.
"We are not anticipating any problems in supplying all of the essentials for the peacekeepers," forces commander Lieutenant General Alexander Yevteyev told Interfax-Military News Agency by telephone from Sukhumi.
A train carrying peacekeepers who have completed their term of service and who were replaced under a rotation plan on November 27 to December 1 should cross the border into Russian on Thursday morning, Yevteyev said.
"The train traveled through Abkhaz territory on Wednesday and approached the border in the evening. It is bound for Maikop, the permanent base of the servicemen, who have fulfilled their peacekeeping duties," he said.
Russia has announced suspension of railroad traffic through the Abkhaz border section starting from Thursday. Border controls on this section, including its naval part, will be intensified due to growing tensions in the self-proclaimed republic.
Russian peacekeepers have been serving in Abkhazia under the CIS framework since 1994.