Georgian State Minister Speaks about Abkhazia Election Results
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava said on October 4 that ?there are some tensions? in Abkhazia following the elections; however he could not confirm the Georgian media?s reports over clashes between the supporters of the two main presidential candidates.
According to the early results of Abkhazia?s Central Election Commission (CEC) Raul Khajimba leads in presidential elections with 52.8% of the votes; while his main contender from the opposition, Sergei Bagapsh, received 33.5% of the votes.
?I don?t think that in reality Khajimba has more support in Abkhazia than Bagapsh. This week will be very important. Bagapsh has very strong and influential supporters, including the opposition movements Amtsakhara and Aitaira. But I think that now Khajimba and his supporters, including many officials from Russia who are now in Abkhazia, will try to negotiate with Bagapsh, maybe even offer him the Prime Minister?s position in order to ease tensions,? Goga Khaindrava said in an interview to Tbilisi-based Rustavi 2 television on October 4.
He condemned the elections once again as illegitimate and described Khajimba?s victory in the elections as ?an appointment? and not an election victory, hinting that Khajimba, who is supported by Russia, was promoted to the post of president by the Kremlin.
However, Goga Khaindrava added that it will be easier for Tbilisi to negotiate with pro-Moscow Khajimba, rather than with nationalist Bagapsh.
?If the positions of Tbilisi and Moscow get closer, and I think it will happen, it will be easier for the Georgian side to negotiate with Khajimba. Khajimba, who is in the service of the Russian security service, will follow all of Moscow?s instructions,? the Georgian State Minister said.
