Abkhazian parties, NGOs declare against presidential election

Leaders of some Abkhazian parties and non-governmental organizations declare against the holding of the presidential election on January 12. "The time given for the preparation and holding of the election sufficed only for continuation of the chosen tactics ? to come to power by all means, but not for the holding of the fair election of the head of state," they announced in a joint statement.

Abkhazian Prime Minister Nodar Khashba called this statement "a political provocation aimed at frustrating the presidential election." A Caucasian Knot correspondent quoted him as saying: "The Abkhazian government will not allow frustrating the election. The republican president will be elected within the set term, on January 12."

The main rivals in the presidential election on October 3, 2004, namely opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh and Raul Khadzhimba nominated by the authorities signed an agreement to resolve the crisis that has arisen in Abkhazia after the presidential election. The agreement was signed through the mediation of the Russian side. The repeated election was set for January 12, 2004. The former opponents are taking part in this election as a joint team: Bagapsh as a presidential candidate and Khadzhimba as a candidate for the post of vice president. If this tandem wins, authorities of the vice president will be enlarged: Khadzhimba will control the foreign policy block, and 40% of budget funds.