In his regular Monday radio address, Eduard Shevardnadze suggested on 3 February that the Russian peacekeeping force currently deployed under the CIS aegis in the Abkhaz conflict zone be replaced by a force modeled on that currently deployed in the unrecognized Republic of South Ossetia. That force comprises Russian, Georgian, and Ossetian service personnel. Shevardnadze also suggested that the EU might send troops from its rapid-reaction force to Abkhazia. At a press conference later on 3 February, Shevardnadze told journalists he will raise with Azerbaijan\'s President Aliev the possibility of Azerbaijani troops serving in such an EU force. He said Azerbaijan has \"a strong interest\" in resolving the Abkhaz conflict. (Caucasus Press)