RUSSIA’S GRU ACCUSED OF FOMENTING TROUBLE IN GEORGIA.

Addressing a session of the Georgian parliament’s Bureau, Parliament Chairman Zurab Zhvania accused Russia’s GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate of the armed forces) of involvement in “subversive activities against the Georgian government.” According to Zhvania, the GRU operates out of Russian military bases in Kutaisi and Akhalkalaki (situated in western and southern Georgia, respectively). It carries out “large-scale operations … recruiting the rural population, sometimes whole villages, in some of Georgia’s most sensitive areas.” (Prime-News, Russian agencies, June 5) The sensitive areas under reference seem to be Mingrelia, where Zviadists have some residual strength, and Javakhetia, where Armenian groups support the Russian military presence and oppose Georgia’s rapprochement with Turkey.

SETBACK FOR THE BABAIANS IN KARABAKH.