Russians to boost Abkhazia bases

Russia is to spend almost £300m in 2010 reinforcing its military bases in Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia, the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on the 12 August 2009 during a visit to the region.

• Primary Source

ITAR-TASS, 12.8.09: Putin says it’s right time to invest in Abkhazia’s economy http://www.itar-tass.com/en/

France24, 12.8.09: Putin pledges half a billion dollars to defend Abkhazia http://www.france24.com/en/20090812-putin-pledges-half-billion-dollars-defend-abkhazia-russia-georgia

Deutsche Welle, 12.8.09: Putin makes surprise visit to Abkhazia, pledges Russia defense http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4561084,00.html

ESO: Background information: Conflict history: Georgia http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-georgia-2/

ESO: Background information: Georgia recovers as rebel regions suffer http://www.europeansources.info/record/georgia-recovers-as-rebel-regions-suffer/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, PRES/09/248: Declaration on Russian Prime Minister Putin's visit to the Georgian region of Abkhazia http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/cfsp/109693.pdf

BBC News, 13.8.09: Putin message clear in Abkhazia http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8199243.stm

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