Opposition MPs Want Closed-Door Hearings on Kodori

Opposition lawmakers made a request on November 7 that the parliamentary Confidence Group inform parliament about possible threats to Tbilisi-controlled upper Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia during the winter period.

The Parliament?s Confidence Group, which is composed of four MPs from the ruling National Movement party, has access to classified defense-related information.

?The opposition has no representation in this group, so we want them to inform us about the situation in Kodori. The winter is coming and [road and air] access to the gorge from [the Georgian side] will be closed [because of snow and heavy weather conditions]; but access will remain from the territories controlled by the Abkhaz side. So we want to know what the authorities? plans are in this regard,? MP Zviad Dzidziguri, the chairman of the parliamentary faction Democratic Front, which consists of lawmakers from the Republican and Conservative opposition parties, said on November 7.

The demand has triggered debates about the possibility of including at least one opposition lawmaker in the Confidence Group.

?I am very constructively disposed to this, and it would be very good if the opposition and the parliamentary majority agree on an opposition candidate who could be involved in the group,? Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said at the parliamentary session.

The opposition lawmakers want to endorse MP Davit Gamkrelidze, leader of the New Rights party, in this group, although MPs from the ruling National Movement party are against this nomination.

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