Abashidze Visits Moscow, Accuses Tbilisi of Resorting Force in Adjara

Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze said before departure to Moscow late on March 12, that Georgia’s central authorities might use force to change power in Adjara Autonomous Republic.

Adjarian leaders held talks in Batumi on March 12 with Russia’s Ambassador to Georgia Vladimir Chkhikvishvili.

Earlier on the same day Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement accusing Georgia’s central authorities of attempts to oust Adjarian leader.

However, President Saakashvili denied on March 13, that Tbilisi will resort force in Adjara.
 
“I am tired of hearing that Georgia will lose Adjara. My supreme goal is to integrate Georgia, and not to disintegrate it. We will act in accordance with the constitution. We do not intend to use any forceful means in Adjara. However, I will not let feudalist [hinting on Abashidze] disintegrate Georgia. Aslan Abashidze has vain hopes that Russia or another state will help him,” Saakashvili said on March 13 while speaking to reporters in Yerevan, Armenia.
 
The purpose of Abashidze’s visit to Moscow remains confidential. “I do not know Mr. Abashidze’s schedule in Moscow,” Hamlet Chipashvili, representative of the Autonomous Republic to Tbilisi, told Civil Georgia.