Abkhaz PM Comments on Crisis
Abkhaz Prime Minister Nodar Khashba, a former Russian Emergency Ministry?s official who became head of the breakaway region?s government after disputed October 3 presidential elections, convened a news conference on November 19 in order to comment on the standoff between the two presidential rivals, opposition-backed Sergey Bagapsh and pro-governmental candidate Raul Khajimba.
Nodar Khashba said that he is keeping a neutral position in the standoff and stressed the necessity of talks between the presidential rivals.
?I hope the sides will be wise enough to settle the problems peacefully,? Regnum news agency quoted Khashba as saying at the news conference.
?Everything depends on Bagapsh and Khajimba,? he added.
The opposition is accusing Raul Khajimba of attempting to take over power in Abkhazia. Russian media has already speculated that Bagapsh?s main rival now is Prime Minister, and not in fact Khajimba.
Khashba reiterated that he will remain in the Prime Minister?s office until the end of post-election crisis. ?I have come only to defuse tension,? the Abkhaz Prime Minister stressed.
When asked what is anticipated in Abkhazia ? repeat elections or the inauguration of Bagapsh, Prime Minister Khashba said that ?peace is anticipated in Abkhazia.?
The Prime Minister said that he is in frequent contact with outgoing President Vladislav Ardzinba.
?He [Vladislav Ardzinba] thinks we should do out best to maintain peace in our country and to provide for a peaceful transition of power, without any clashes,? Nodar Khashba added.
He told reporters that the government has launched the implementation of an anti-crisis program. ?Particular trends and measures have already been outlined.?
