Russian Ambassador Distances Moscow from Pro-Secessionist Statements
On January 13, the Georgian Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador to Georgia Vladimir Chkhikvishvili to express protest regarding the visit of Russian MPs to breakaway Abkhazia.
?No official delegation was sent from the Russian Parliament to Abkhazia, The observers, including Mr. Baburin [Russian Parliament?s Vice-Speaker] visited Abkhazia as private persons,? the Russian Ambassador told reporters after talks with Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Merab Antadze.
He also said the Russian side has never made any statements in support of secessionist regimes. ?As for allegations in support of separatism, no such statements were made, especially officially,? the Ambassador added.
Vice-Speaker of the Russian Parliament Sergey Baburin arrived in Abkhazia to monitor the January 12 presidential elections. Sergey Baburin said in Sokhumi that voting in the Abkhaz president elections “would be an investment in the 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 Georgian Foreign Ministry issued a strong-worded statement on January 12 condemning Russia?s active involvement in the Abkhaz elections, actions described by Tbilisi as a ?violation of Georgia?s sovereignty.?
