61. Following the declaration of independence by Dudayev, a former Soviet airforce general, Moscow imposed an economic blockade on the oil-rich renegade republic. 62. He refused to admit defeat, despite the economic blockade imposed by Athens a year ago. 63. He also condemned Washington for continuing its economic blockade of Cuba despite the end of the Cold War. 64. His followers imposed a crippling economic blockade of the capital of the Indian Ocean island, blowing up bridges as well as erecting barricades on the roads. 65. Abishidze accused Russia of failing to fulfil an agreement signed in January that calls for a tightened economic blockade around Abkhazia. 66. Abkhazia remains effectively separated from Georgia and Tbilisi continues to impose an economic blockade on the republic. 67. An economic blockade was mounted, but the venality of civil servants in Moscow and among customs officials at the border meant it was not respected. 68. Although military intervention in Lesotho has been virtually ruled out, a South African foreign affairs official on Wednesday mooted the possibility of an economic blockade. 69. Athens retaliated last year by imposing an economic blockade on newly-independent Macedonia. 70. Athens retaliated last year by imposing an economic blockade on its newly-independent neighbour. |