Russian Chief Peacekeeper Stays in Abkhazia for Now

The Russian commander of peacekeeping troops in Abkhazia will remain in his post for now, despite calls for his removal by Tbilisi.

The Council of Defense Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has re-endorsed Sergey Chaban’s commission, Russian Defense Minister Anatoli Serdyukov said. He did, however, indicate that Chaban would be replaced ?in the near future.?

?They [peacekeepers] are working well and coping with their duties. We have prolonged his [Chaban?s] mandate, but in the near future we should find a replacement,? RIA Novosti news agency quoted Serdyukov as saying at a press conference in Astana on November 27.

Itar-Tass news agency quoted Serdyukov as saying that Chaban would be replaced because of ?Georgia?s special position.?

After the Ganmukhuri incident on October 30 President Mikheil Saakashvili called Chaban an ?undesirable person? and demanded that he leave the country.

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