Abashidze to Defy Tbilisi Orders, but Rules out Secession

Aslan Abashidze, head of Adjara Autonomous Republic, said after talks with Russian Prime Minister Kasyanov, he might use military if the interim government tries to enforce its authority in Autonomous Republic. 

However he added that Adjara will not announce independence.

?People who came to power by force have no right giving orders to anyone, especially to those legally elected,? said Abashidze at a news briefing in Moscow on November 26.

?We are dealing with ultranationalists who will go to any lengths in order to accomplish their own goals and the behests of others,? said Abashidze, who condemned the November 23 events as an ? attempted coup.?

Aslan Abashidze, who announced state of emergency in Adjara and cut ties with Tbilisi, arrived in Moscow on November 25 and already met with Russian Prime Minister, Deputy Foreign Minister and held talks with Eduard Kokoev, leader of Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia.

It is anticipated that Abashidze will hold talks today with de facto Prime Minister of Abkhazia, another breakaway region of Georgia.

The new leadership of Georgia, which led the street protests that forced Shevardnadze to step down, handle Abashidze with cautious.

Mikheil Saakashvili, who will run for presidency in January, said on November 26 that he is ready for talks with Abashidze. Earlier he admitted Abashidze?s ?important role in Georgia?s internal politics.?

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