Tbilisi to Push Human Rights Issues at Talks with Abkhaz Side

Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava said on August 3 that a top priority for the Georgian side during the UN-mediated talks with Abkhaz representatives on August 4 in Tbilisi will be the protection of human rights in the predominately Georgian-populated Gali district of the breakaway region.

?We will also push the issue of teaching Georgian in Gali schools,? said Khaindrava, who will represent the Georgian side at the talks, at a news conference on August 3.

The sides will also discuss security guarantees in the conflict zone, as well as the Georgian side?s proposal of a joint Abkhaz-Georgian declaration on non-resumption of hostilities. The text of this document will remain confidential until the negotiations.

The UN Secretary-General?s Special Representative in Georgia Heidi Tagliavini said at a news conference on August 3 that Foreign Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Shamba has already confirmed his participation in the talks, which have been postponed twice already.

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