Abkhaz Vice-President Calls for Unity

Vice-President of breakaway Abkhazia Raul Khajimba has called for unity among Abkhazians, which as he said, was further shattered after the March parliamentary elections.

Khajimba was speaking on March 23 at an assembly of the Forum of Abkhaz People?s Unity ? a union of opposition parties and movements. Khajimba is one of the leaders of the Forum.

The parliamentary elections were held in two rounds on March 4 and on March 18 based on the majoritarian system in 35 single-mandate constituencies. Candidates supporting Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh gained a majority of seats in the breakaway region?s legislative body.

Khajimba said that despite violations that have been observed during the polls, Abkhazians should refrain from confrontation.

?Nobody should stand at the barricades. I think, we should do our best to unite the population,? he said. 

He also dismissed speculations that he plans to resign.

?I reiterate: nobody has any plans to plot a coup. We have the authorities elected by the people and they should spare no efforts to unite the population,? Khajimba said.
 
Khajimba and Bagapsh were contenders during the 2004 presidential elections in the unrecognized republic. A two-month standoff between the two rivals after the disputed elections was ended by a power-sharing agreement, wherein Bagapsh occupied the president?s office and Khajimba became the Vice-President.

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