ABKHAZIA SCUTTLES SCHEDULED ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH GEORGIA.

A regular round of Russian-mediated negotiations between Georgia and Abkhazia, scheduled to begin yesterday in Moscow, was postponed sine die when the Abkhaz side refused to participate. The Abkhaz were protesting against what they termed a "blockade" of Abkhazia’s coast by Russian warships. (20)

Three Russian coast guard ships appeared off Sukhumi last week and stopped Abkhaz cargo ships from working trade routes to Turkey. The measure parallels the Russian border troops’ virtual blockade of Abkhazia’s overland communications to the north. Both measures are officially intended to block possible aid to Chechnya from Abkhazia and from Turkey.

Russia Reaches for More Caspian Oil.