Georgia, Tbilisi, Dec. 7 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
The Georgian Foreign Ministry protested Russia's deployment of additional weapons in the Tskhinvali region.
"According to information published on Dec. 3 on the official website of the Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation, additional manpower has appeared in the occupied Tskhinvali region - a so-called fourth military base," the ministry reported. "New weapons and military equipment were deployed. Russian media cited a source in the Southern Federal District's power structures that an artillery battalion was deployed near Tskhinvali. It is equipped with a Smerch rocket system. It should be noted that this offensive artillery system's range is 70-90 kilometers."
The ministry added that Russia's accusations that Georgia may host terrorist threats are "baseless" and "slanderous." The possible military threat posed by Russia is increasing amid such statements and the occupied territories are becoming more militarized, the ministry said.
The ministry added that Russia made the move in reaction to the peace initiative of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, and statements by the Georgian government on the non-use of force. The president's initiative was clearly supported by the international community, the ministry said.
"The ministry calls upon the international community and international organizations to give a proper assessment of Russia's aggressive policy and provocative actions and to intensify efforts to force Russia to fulfill its international obligations," the ministry said.