Abkhazia: Georgia planned spring invasion

SUKHUMI, Georgia, July 5 (UPI) -- The leader of Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia says Georgian forces were planning to invade the republic this spring but were foiled.

Sergei Bagapsh told reporters Saturday that Georgia had plans to attack and invade the region in April or May but were prevented by unnamed Abkhazian measures, RIA Novosti reported.

"The plan (developed by Georgia's Defense Ministry) has been obtained by the Abkhaz military intelligence services and clearly demonstrates that Georgia intended to occupy … the entire territory of Abkhazia," Bagapsh said, alleging Georgia planned to blockade the outposts of Russian peacekeepers and to launch two simultaneous land offensives.

An unnamed leader of Georgia's ruling pro-Western United National Movement party scoffed at Bagapsh's assertions, however, telling ITAR-TASS the country "is committed to the peaceful settlement of the Abkhazian conflict within the internationally recognized borders."