Abkhaz Leader Warns of Kodori Tensions

Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh said that Tbilisi is trying to portray a conflict allegedly going on between governmental troops in upper Kodori Gorge and the local population as the Abkhaz side?s attempt to provoke the situation in the gorge.

?The Georgian side will most likely blame us [the Abkhaz side] for the possible fueling of tensions in the gorge. But we will remain neutral in this conflict between the Georgian authorities and the local population,? RIA Novosti news agency quoted Sergey Bagapsh as saying on October 26.

Bagapsh?s remarks came after reports of shelling in upper Kodori Gorge. Officials in Tbilisi accused the Abkhaz side of firing rockets from a GRAD missile launching system. Sokhumi has denied the allegations. Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba alleged that rebel warlord Emzar Kvitsiani, who is wanted by the Georgian authorities, could have been behind the incident.

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