Ukraine, September 6, 2009 (Pal Telegraph)- A recent announcement that in 2009 Russia will start the establishment of its naval base in the seaport of Ochamchire in the new independent country of Abkhazia should be good news.

The decision has been made in principle, according to a spokesman for General Headquarters of the Russian Navy. "This year we are to begin dredging on the Abkhazian coast. The work will take over 12 months," he told the press. The naval base in Ochamchire will be used in consideration of the threat of acts of sabotage and terrorism, which could be created by Georgian special services."

In addition, Russian analysts insist that the Saakashvili regime is planning to use the Kodori Gorge, a Georgian controlled sliver of the territory in the enclave of Abkhazia, to attack the new independent country.

At the same time, given that special services of the old and faulty NATO are engaged in espionage in Ukraine, there can be no substitute to the Russian naval base in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol. Three former commanders of the Russias Black Sea fleet, namely Admirals Viktor Kravchenko, Igor Kasatonov and Vladimir Komoedov, have stated the unanimous opinion about this. "Our naval presence in this region is very important in order to ensure security of Russias southern frontiers as well as to protect its economic and political interests," they said. "Sevastopol is the unique Russian naval base because it includes all the infrastructure, mooring areas, ammunition, roads, naval air force and anti-aircraft defense."

After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia reached a deal with Ukraine to maintain the base in Sevastopol, un-der the lease that ends in 2017, and it may well be renewed. Importantly, Sevastopol has always been home to the Rus-sias Black Sea Fleet, which is popular with local residents. They believe pro-NATO president Yuschenko and his Orange gang must understand that Sevastopol is the city of military glory, the city of Russian glory. It was the site of momentous military battles, including in the Crimean War in 1854-1856 and the Great Patriotic War in 1941-1945.

It is worth recalling that in August 2008 the Republic of Georgia resorted to overt armed aggression against South Ossetia that neighbors on Abkhazia. Happily, Russia defeated Georgia competently and brilliantly that had U.S. sup-port, aid and 130 military advisers, among others, and was widely seen as being under American protection. As many observers rightly pointed out, the Kremlin taught America and the pro-fascist regime of president Mikhail Saakashvili, who is thick as the Atlantic fog, a good lesson and kicked out Georgian invaders. In fact, challenging the new Russia can have grave consequences.

While the U.S. is tied down in the Middle East, American guarantees have no value. Thanks to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, America is a paper tiger today. The Middle Eastern wars have left the U.S. off-balance and short on resources. It is something that Saakashvili and Yuschenko need to digest.

Recently, President Dmitry A. Medvedev of Russia condemned Yuschenko administrations bid for NATO mem-bership and its support for the Saakashvili regime and said he would not send an ambassador to Ukraine. Russian pros-ecutors accuse Ukrainian servicemen and members of Ukrainian jingoistic groups of fighting alongside Georgias mili-tary in overt armed aggression against South Ossetia in August 2008.

Source: The Ukrainian Times