Georgia Says Russia Hinders Abkhaz Peace Process

(Tbilisi, May 16, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Kakha Sikharulidze said at the news briefing today that Russian Foreign Ministry statement regarding the talks between the Abkhaz de facto Premier and the Russian President’s envoy for Abkhaz conflict settlement hinders peace process in Abkhazia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that the implementation of the March 7 agreement between Russian and Georgian Presidents was discussed during the talks with Abkhaz Premier Raul Khajimba, particularly return of IDPs in Gali district of the breakaway region.

Sikharulidze said that the agreement of the two Presidents considers return of IDPs not only in Gali district, but also in entire Abkhazia.

Georgian Foreign Ministry also protests that the Russian side names Khajimba as “Prime Minister of Abkhazia,” and not de facto Prime Minister of self-declared Republic.