Russian Lawmakers Comment on Abkhaz Independence Appeal

MP Konstantin Kosachyov, Chairman of the Russian State Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee, called to avoid any hasty decisions in respect to the Abkhaz Parliament?s appeal to the Russian leadership calling for recognition of the breakaway region?s independence.

The Abkhaz Parliament called on the Russian President and Russia?s lower and upper houses of the Parliament on October 18 ?to legitimize the de facto independence of Abkhazia.?

?[The Abkhaz Parliament?s appeal] will be thoroughly studied by the [State Duma] committees and factions? But Russia should not undertake hasty and unilateral steps in this respect? [Deciding] the status of Abkhazia is not in the frames of the State Duma?s authority; it is more under the competence of the Russian President,? Interfax news agency reported quoting MP Kosachyov.

State Duma?s Vice-Speaker Sergey Baburin called for establishing diplomatic ties with breakaway regions, especially after the independence referendum which is set for November 12 in South Ossetia.

?After Kosovo?s independence there will be a chain reaction, but there is no need to wait for Kosovo independence and we should immediately establish diplomatic relations with Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnestria,? Interfax quoted MP Baburin.

MP Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, said the State Duma should request the executive authorities to recognize Abkhazia?s independence, but added that the issue will then depend on the Russian leadership?s political will.

Alexander Torshin, the Vice-Speaker of Russia?s upper house of Parliament, said that Russia?s Federation Council is going ?to seriously engage in discussing the appeal? of the Abkhaz Parliament.

Meanwhile, Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh told the unrecognized republics Parliament on October 18 that Russia is the only security guarantor for Abkhazia and the latter ?will never be able to coexist with Georgia in a joint legal sphere.?

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