Abkhaz leader gets clear

The Georgian president's demand to the Abkhaz side with regard to resolution of the conflict has caused a tough reaction of Abkhazia's president. According to Sergey Bagapsh, "talks between Georgia and Abkhazia may stop never started" because of statements by some Georgian leaders.

In his comment on statements by Georgian leaders that "the Abkhaz society is glad to see the process of Abkhazia's becoming part of Georgia again continue", Bagapsh emphasised they drew conclusions without having accurate information about Abkhazia. "Politicians can make different conclusions in order to convince the press and international community that the Abkhaz people are so amenable and use it to promote the visit of the US president to Georgia on 10 May," the president said.

"The Abkhaz leadership is only ready to discuss with the Georgian side mutually advantageous economic projects based on the Sochi agreements," the Abkhaz president said at a press conference in Sukhum earlier today. He reminded the Sochi agreements provided for the resumption of railway communication through Abkhazia to Georgia and Armenia, reconstruction and development of the Inguri Hydroelectric Power Station, and refugees' return to the Gali district of Abkhazia.

The president added the Abkhaz leadership had made a positive decision that the return of people who had taken part in the war against Abkhazia to the Gali district was out of the question. "Those who fought with our state will not live in it," emphasised Sergey Bagapsh.

Abkhazia's political status is not subject of discussion with anybody at any level, said Bagapsh. "Abkhazia's status was established by its citizens in the 1999 referendum. Abkhazia is an independent state, so any talks we are ready to hold can only be based on economic agreements," underscored the Abkhaz leader.

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