The breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia began to use Russia’s international direct dialling phone code, +7, Sunday 15 November, instead of Georgia’s, +995, in a further break with Georgia. Russia and Georgia fought a war in July over South Ossetia, another breakaway region in Georgia.
”The old codes will work until Jan 1. Then they will be turned off and people will use the new codes of independent Abkhazia,” said Nadir Bitiev, a senior aide to Abkhaz leader Sergei Bagapsh, reports Reuters. Two-thirds of the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) members must agree to admitting a new member. Only the Russian Federation recognizes Abkhazia as an independent country, along with Venezuela and Nicaragua. Moscow Times
News story, GenevaLunch, 18 November 2009.
Filed under: World news
Tags: Abkhaz leader Sergei Bagapsh, Abkhazia Georgia, Georgia, international direct dialling phone code, International Telecommunications Union's (ITU), Nicaragua, South Ossetia, Venezuela
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One Response to “Breakaway Abkhazia deserts Georgia phone code”
November 30th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Good article. One of the unreported stories is how Georgia’s money and influence is isolating Abkhazia. This has the effect of pushing the country closer to Russia. it is clear to an observer on the ground (I write a blog from Abkhazia and Russia) that neither Russia nor Abkhazia wants Russia to be seen as dominating the country, but with no country code, no possibility of film licenses and no international recognition, Abkhazia must rely on Russia. This extends to military protection because of Georgia’s President’s desire for reintegration. I hope to hear more from you on this and would be glad to start a dialogue. There is little said to counter the false media narrative Georgia has constructed.
Regards,
Bruce Talley