U.S. Ambassador Left for Batumi for Talks with Abashidze

U.S. ambassador Richard Miles left for Batumi this morning to hold talks with the Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze.

Zurab Zhvania, the State Minister was also expected to accompany the U.S. diplomat; however, according to the U.S. embassy in Tbilisi, Richard Miles is visiting Batumi alone.

U.S. ambassador in Georgia Richard Miles said after the meeting with Interim President Nino Burjanadze on December 11 that the elections should be held as required by the constitution, on January 4.

He said that he is ready to meet head of Adjara Autonomous Republic Aslan Abashidze, who demands postponement of elections until June and threatens to boycott the January 4 elections.

Nino Burjanadze failed on December 10 to convince Aslan Abashidze not to boycott elections. Abashidze and Burjanadze held six-hour long negotiations in Batumi. The both sides pledge after talks to continue negotiations.

Zurab Zhvania told Rustavi 2 television on December 16 that he would visit Batumi ?in the nearest days.? He also said that the election would be held on January 4.

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