Abkhaz Official Says Georgia Responsible for UN Observers’ Abduction

(Tbilisi, June 6 2003, Civil Georgia) – De facto Vice-President of the breakaway Abkhazia Valeri Arshba told Civil Georgia today “the abduction of the UN observers occurred in Kodori gorge, which is controlled by the Georgian authorities, thus Georgia is responsible for this incident.”

“We have warned the Georgian side for many times that armed gangs and criminals found safe haven in Kodori. We urged in vain for many times Tbilisi to disarm these groups,” Arshba said.

Abkhaz de facto Vice-President also said that the part of Kodori gorge, which is under the control of Abkhazia is secured and it is impossible that the hostage-takers could hide in the area controlled by the Abkhazians.

Two UN military observers, a paramedic and Georgian interpreter were kidnapped by the armed group on June 5, while the UN mission together with the Russian peacekeepers were conduction monitoring of the troubled Kodori gorge.

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