Abkhaz Leader Comments on Peacekeepers

Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh said on June 26 that currently situation in Gali ? predominately Georgian populated district ? is stable, ?but we are waiting for Georgia?s provocations any time,? Apsnipress reported.

Speaking at a news conference in Sokhumi, Bagapsh reiterated that if the Russian peacekeepers withdraw from the conflict zone the Abkhaz troops will replace them at the administrative border with Georgia.

?And then it will be a real border? But it will be an extreme case. We insist on presence of Russian peacekeepers in the conflict zone before complete resolution [of the conflict],? Bagapsh said.

The Georgian Parliament is expected to discuss the performance of the Russian peacekeepers in breakaway Abkhazia in July, which may result in a demand for their withdrawal. But the Georgian government seems to be hesitant towards demanding to immediately pull out Russian peacekeepers.