Moscow Reckons On Extending Mandate Of CIS Peace-keeping Forces In Abkhazia

Moscow reckons that participants in the Abkhaz conflict "will assume a sensible approach" and "the peace-keeping forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will continue working in this hot spot." This statement was made by First Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Vyacheslav Trubnikov, who made an appearance at a press conference in RIA Novosti Monday. He reminded that the mandate of CIS peace-keeping forces in Abkhazia would expire later this year. However, according to the diplomat, none of the opposing sides claimed its extension. In Trubnikov's opinion, given the CIS countries' consent, the peace-keepers' potential might and should be used further.