Saakashvili Gives 10-day Ultimatum to Abashidze

President Saakashvili said after the emergency session of the Georgian National Security Council that he gives Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze 10 days illegal armed groups, ensure protection of human rights and Georgia’s constitution, otherwise Mikheil Saakashvili threatened with disbanding local governmental bodies and holding snap elections in Adjarian Autonomy.

Georgian National Security Council convened its emergency session in the wake of explosion of two key bridges in defiant Adjarian Autonomy by the local authorities on May 2 – an act described by the Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze as a self-defense against anticipated incursion of the Georgian armed forces.

“It was ridiculous to blow up bridges, because if we want to send troops in Adjara we will manage this without bridges,” Saakashvili said at a news briefing after the emergency session of the Georgian National Security Council.

“It was an act of provocation. Abashidze wanted us to use force, but we will not yield to this provocation,” he added.

He also said that the Georgia’s central authorities are giving “one more and the last chance” to Abashidze to obey the central government. “Otherwise I will disband Adjara’s local governance bodies and appoint snap elections, I have a constitution right to do so,” the President added.