Tensions In Georgia As NATO Exercises Start

President Saakashvili of Georgia, far left, with his bodyguards, enters the military base where about 500 soldiers surrendered. Photo from Times Online.

NATO Exercise Begins Amid Tensions -- The New York Times

TBILISI, Georgia — A day after Georgia announced that it had put down a brief military mutiny aimed at disrupting NATO military exercises, the drills began Wednesday over Russian objections.

According to the Georgian account of the mutiny, government forces surrounded a tank battalion whose leaders were planning the uprising some 25 miles from Tbilisi, the capital. A few hours later, most of the unit’s 500 soldiers surrendered, and several of their commanders were detained.

President Mikheil Saakashvili said Russia was hoping to derail the NATO exercises, which he called a “symbolic event.”

“We are asking our northern neighbor to refrain from any provocations,” Mr. Saakashvili said of Russia, in a televised interview.

Russia immediately denied any role in the unrest.

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More News On Georgia And NATO

NATO holds Georgia war games, Russia critical -- AP
Nato kicks off Georgia exercises -- BBC
Russia, NATO in battle of wills over Georgia -- Reuters
Nerves rising over Georgia situation -- The Australian
Uprising adds to pressure on Georgia's president -- Brisbane Times
Russia criticises Nato exercises in Georgia -- ABC News (Australia)
FACTBOX - NATO military exercises in Georgia -- Reuters
NATO begins exercises in Georgia -- China View
Georgia, Moscow Trade Allegations on Military Uprising -- Voice of America
Georgian leader Mikhail Saakashvili claims to have crushed army mutiny -- Times Online