Georgia, South Ossetia, Russia and Enriched Uranium Trafficking

[eleny]

South Ossetia, Georgia, Russia and Enriched Uranium Trafficking

On page 136 of Ron Suskind's latest book "The Way of the World", he discusses this area of Georgia. He details evidence that highly enriched uranium from Novosibirk, "the Siberian hub for nuclear production facilities", was finding its way out of Russia in recent years by way of the porous border of Russia and Georgia's South Ossetia region.

This 2007 article in Eurasianet reports that in 2006 a Russian citizen was caught bringing highly enriched uranium across "a border checkpoint near Kazbegi, a remote mountain town in eastern Georgia", not South Ossetia. But also goes on to say that "...the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that the case testified to the need to install international monitors along the Russian border with the two territories. "The trafficking of illicit goods through these borders and into these territories is rampant,..."
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav030107a.shtml

I just came to that point in Suskind's book this afternoon and couldn't help but wonder if this is a factor in the current conflict.

[Muttocracy]

1. that must have been interesting to read that today! nt

[Jim__]

2. I haven't heard anyone reporting it as a factor.

How do you think it would factor in?

From what I've heard, Georgia doesn't want South Ossetia to break away. It considers it a part of Geargia and wants to retain it. A lot of Ossetians are Russian and would prefer to be a part of Russia and to be re-united with North Ossetia which is part of Russia. Russia also wants to control the pipleint that is passing through some of Georgia's territory.

[eleny]

3. I don't know much about the region

So I thought to mention what's been happening there in recent years related to nuclear material. Seems like Russia might want to keep control of the spot since it's known to be a porous border area.

Just trying to understand the big picture.

[Jim__]

4. It looks like smuggling actually does have something to do with the conflict.

From wikipedia:

In 1992, Georgia was forced to accept a ceasefire to avoid a large scale confrontation with Russia. The government of Georgia and South Ossetian separatists reached an agreement to avoid the use of force against one another, and Georgia pledged not to impose sanctions against South Ossetia. However, the Georgian government still retains control over substantial portions of South Ossetia, including the town of Akhalgori.<22> A peacekeeping force of Ossetians, Russians and Georgians was established. On November 6, 1992, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) set up a Mission in Georgia to monitor the peacekeeping operation. From then, until mid-2004 South Ossetia was generally peaceful. In June 2004, tensions began to rise as the Georgian authorities strengthened their efforts against smuggling in the region.<23> Hostage takings, shootouts and occasional bombings left dozens dead and wounded. A ceasefire deal was reached on August 13 though it was repeatedly violated. Presently the situation is tense with war escalating. Moscow and Tskhinvali viewed the recent Georgian military build-up with concern.