Saakashvili Hails Reactions to Abkhaz Elections
President Saakashvili said on March 9 that ?Abkhaz separatists should not have any more illusions? about possible international support after ?an avalanche of condemnations? voiced by most of the international community about the March 4 parliamentary elections in the breakaway region.
?The separatists thought that every one would become accustomed to these stage shows [referring to elections in the breakaway region]. I have looked through the reaction of the international community to the Abkhaz elections. It was an avalanche of statements denouncing the Abkhaz elections with a special emphasis on the issues of displaced persons; there has never been such a reaction before,? Saakashvili said while speaking with Georgian reporters in Tokyo, where he is paying a working visit.
?We have been saying for a long time that the major problem there is that people are not allowed to return to their homes. But for many years no one was paying attention to this,? he added.
The European Union, NATO, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, CoE Secretary General, GUAM-member states and the United States have strongly rejected the Abkhaz elections. Moscow has stopped short of recognizing them, but noted that it ?respects? the polls, which ?were a continuation of the democratic trends that were observed during the recent local self governance elections? in Abkhazia on February 11.
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