11:47, 27 August 2003

Georgian president called Russian politicians to learn from the church

Georgian President Eduard Shevarnadze welcomed a statement of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in which it recognizes Abkhazia as an integral part of the canonical territory of the Georgia Orthodox Church. Being on the air of the National Radio, the president of Georgia thanked Patriarchy of Moscow and All Russia Aleksey II, as well as Catholicos-Patriarchy of All Georgia Iliya II, whose "profoundly patriotic activity had in many respects made for such a decision" of the Russian Orthodox Church. Shevarnadze has great confidence that this decision "will contribute to the peaceful and fair settlement of the Abkhazian conflict, reconciliation between Georgians and Abkhazians". Eduard Shevarnadze called "some Russian politicians whose ideas are absolutely inconsistent with this decision" of the Russian Orthodox Church" to learn from the church and not to repeat things that we hear from them so often - in particular, their statements on possible Abkhazia's joining to the Russian Federation or associated membership."