TBILISI, February 20, 2004. (RIA Novosti) - Georgia intends to open fire at foreign ships in case they violate the sea border in the direction of Abkhazia, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said on Friday. (Abkhazia is a self-proclaimed republic of Georgia.) "We are not going to start a war, but we shall not allow Abkhazia to become an exporter of arms and drugs," added the Georgian leader.
He asked the Russian side to help preventing new facts of violation of Georgia's sea border.
Mikhail Saakashvili awarded orders and monetary premiums to 17 officers of the frontier patrol forces for taking part in the operations for detaining of several foreign ships which violated Georgia's sea border in the direction of Abkhazia.
The awarding ceremony took place in the building of the Georgian State Office.
