Russian Vice-Speaker Links Polls, International Recognition of Abkhaz Independence
Deputy Speaker of the lower house of the Russian Parliament Sergey Baburin was campaiging in Sokhumi on January 11 in favor of the Presidential elections in unrecognized Abkhaz republic, scheduled for January 12.
According to Interfax, Baburin said voting in the elections “would be an investment in international recognition of Abkhaz [independence].” He added that the lower house of the Russian parliament would “possibly consider associated membership of Abkhazia into the Russian Federation as early as 2005.”
“The Russian leadership hopes that the elections of the President of Abkhazia on January 12 will be successful and will end the crisis,” Baburin stated.
“Cooperation between Russia and the new leadership of Abkhazia will be more effective than with the past one, and the issue that Abkhazia, which has proved its military and civil capability, already deserves international recognition [of its statehood] will definately be raised,” he added.
Baburin arrived to Sokhumi together with several other Russian parliamentary officials to act as election observers. Official Tbilisi is protesting the visit.
