Georgia is actively receiving armament from abroad, Russian Chief of the General Staff of Army, Gen. Nikolai Makarov said on November 10.

“Its military potential is much higher today than last August,” Interfax and RIA Novosti news agencies quoted Makarov as saying.

He, however, noted that the United States were not directly supplying weapons to Georgia.

“If there are supplies, it will occur through somebody else’s hands,” he said.    

Remarks follow a story by Russian Itar-Tass news agency, which reported on November 9 citing anonymous source from the Russian intelligence service, that the United States offered Georgia arms and munitions worth of USD 100 million, including air-defense and anti-tank missile systems. According to the report the delivery was planned to be made not directly by the U.S. administration, but through the Chicago-based Barrington Alliance, Inc.

In a response, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said on November 10: “Rather than making comments on the relations with other countries, Russia would better try to comply with its international obligations, abandon its policy of uncontrolled military build-up on the occupied territories of Georgia , respect the universally recognized norms and principles of international law, in particular, the six-point ceasefire agreement and withdraw its occupation troops from the occupied territories of Georgia in compliance with this agreement.”