Russia Vetos UN Observer Mission in Georgia

Ten United Nations Security Council members voted for the continuation of the UN Observer Mission overseeing the Abkhazia region (since the 1993 Cease Fire between the government and the rebels).

Four members, including permanent member China, abstained.

Russia vetoed it on Monday.

The move brings to an end two weeks of heated negotiations, and means the withdrawal of the last international monitoring mission on Georgia's breakaway territories. Russia's veto, which effectively shuts down the UN mission in Georgia, has drawn a barrage of criticism from officials in Tbilisi.

It is time to count logistical movements and equipment transfers (like the reassignment of the limited number available of Mi-28 Anti-Tank Helicopters this Spring) to the Caucasus region, because moves like this veto are just the sort of preliminary moves Russia would make before renewing an invasion of the Republic of Georgia. Calling them out *before* an offensive may be the only way to prevent renewed fighting.