Tbilisi Angered as Moscow Links Attack on Abkhaz PM to Peace Talks

The Georgian Foreign Ministry described as ?astonishing? statement made by the Russian Foreign Ministry on March 1 regarding an assassination attempt against Prime Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated, that terrorist act against Ankvab aimed at ?destabilization of situation in Abkhazia and at complicating of Georgian-Abkhaz [conflict] resolution [process].?

The Georgian Foreign Ministry?s statement issued in a response on the same day says that it is ?absolutely unclear? why the Russian Foreign Ministry links assassination attempt against Abkhaz de facto Prime Minister to the Georgian-Abkhaz peace process.

Earlier on March 1 Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava also expressed protest against the Russian Foreign Ministry?s statement and said that assassination attempt against Ankvab has nothing to do with the Georgian-Abkhaz talks.