Saakashvili Comments on Abkhazia, Supports Bagapsh
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili made a statement over the Abkhaz crisis on December 3 and said that Tbilisi will hold peace talks over the Abkhaz conflict settlement with opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh, whom Saakashvili recognized as the President-elect of unrecognized republic.
Saakashvili, who was speaking in Tbilisi at a meeting with the representatives of the Georgian-Abkhaz Relations Institute, said that the elections in Abkhazia were illegitimate, as most of the population of the region, which was forced to flee Abkhazia as a result of 1992-93 armed conflict, could not participate in it. But the President added that the majority of those who currently live in Abkhazia voted for opposition leader Sergey Bagapsh.
?The elections in Abkhazia were illegitimate, because not only ethnic Georgians, but also many Russians, Jews, Armenians [who lived in Abkhazia before armed conflict] could not return to Abkhazia and participate in the elections. At the same time, it is quite clear that those people who participated in the elections, expressed the opinion of the majority of the remaining population and they supported Sergey Bagapsh in these elections? Saakashvili said.
?The Georgian authorities are ready to launch a dialogue with the new authorities of Abkhazia, namely with Sergey Bagapsh, who enjoys the support of most Abkhazians,? he added.
?However, nobody should have an illusion that Tbilisi will reject its objective regarding the restoration of Georgia?s territorial integrity. This is our supreme goal. However, this will not occur at the expense of the Abkhaz people. We need dialogue.? Saakashvili added.
