GEORGIA ASSUMING MARITIME BORDER CONTROL WITH HELP OF FRIENDS.

A Georgian naval crew left yesterday for Germany to take delivery of a coastal guard ship, a gift from the German government. Another coastal guard ship is due shortly to arrive in Georgia’s port of Poti as a gift from the United States. The command of Georgia’s border troops last week signed a cooperation agreement with Turkish counterparts on supplies of spare parts to Georgia’s coastal guard. Ukrainian naval officers are currently stationed in Poti and serve as instructors on Georgian coastal guard ships on patrol. (Kavkaziapress, Russian agencies, July 31, August 4) During the past year Ukraine (which pioneered the trend), Germany, the United States, and Turkey have all turned over–gratis–naval cutters and equipment to Georgia’s coastal guard. Georgia is currently taking over the control of its maritime border from Russian forces.

KURDISH SPECTER ALARMS AZERBAIJANI OPPOSITION.