Abkhaz Leader Speaks of Sanakoev, Kosovo Case

Unlike South Ossetia, it is impossible to find an Abkhaz politician loyal to Tbilisi, Abkhaz leader, Sergey Bagapsh, said in an interview with the Russian daily, Kommersant, published on July 31.

?The situation in Abkhazia is absolutely different from the one in South Ossetia. It is impossible to find a person like Sanakoev,? Bagapsh said, referring to Dimitri Sanakoev, the head of the Tbilisi-backed South Ossetian provisional administration.

Sanakoev is ?a traitor,? he said. ?This project will only lead to war in South Ossetia and everyone should understand that.?

Bagapsh said that he had warned western diplomats against making contact with the Tbilisi-backed Abkhaz government-in-exile.

?We have told them [foreign diplomats]: if you go to Kodori Gorge [where the exiled government is headquartered], not even a single person in Abkhaz will talk with you,? Bagapsh said.

He also reiterated that Sokhumi would resume talks with Tbilisi only after the Georgian side had pulled out its forces from the upper Kodori Gorge. He said this was a non-negotiable pre-condition.

?I know why they [the Georgian side] need talks between the presidents [referring to Mikheil Saakashvili and Sergey Bagapsh]. They want to be able to say that Bagapsh and Saakashvili are holding talks and they would have had normal relations, if only Russia hadn’t interfered,? Bagapsh said.

He also spoke about the possible implications of an independent Kosovo. If it were to happen, he said, it would ?untie the hands of other countries to recognize Abkhazia?s independence as well.?

?Many people in Abkhazia were angry about Russia?s position, which is in favor of Serbia?s territorial integrity and against Kosovo?s recognition,” he said. “Russia is a great state and its position is understandable: it considers Serbia as a geo-strategic partner.? 

?The fate of Kosovo, however, has already been determined, which in turn means that our fate will also be determined in the nearest future,? he added. ?We have even more historical and legal grounds for independence than Kosovo.?

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)