Abashidze Fears Incursion

In an interview to the Russian newspaper Vremia Novostei published on April 19, Adjarian leaders Aslan Abashidze said that the central authorities of Georgia plan military incursion in the Autonomous Republic.

“There will be attempts of incursion in Adjara. It might happen tomorrow, day after tomorrow, it might happen any time. So we are watching situation in Georgia very closely,” Aslan Abashidze said.

Abashidze also said that international efforts are underway to defuse tensions.

“Our prime goal is to avoid confrontation. Representatives of the EU member states, also United States, Turkey and Russia arrive here. EU’s special representative in the South Caucasian countries Heikki Talvite will be visiting Adjara on Friday [April 23]. All of them try to contribute in the resolution [of the crisis],” the Adjarian leader said.

U.S. Ambassador in Georgia Richard Miles held talks with Aslan Abashidze in Adjarian capital Batumi on April 16.

When asked about whether Abashidze is looking for the successor, the Adjarian leader pointed to his closest inner circle. According to the Adjarian constitution elections of the Head of the Autonomous Republic will be held in 2006.

“Prime Minister [of Adjara] Rostom Japaridze, Chairman of [the Adjarian] Senate Antaz Kikava, speaker of the [Adjarian] Parliament Giorgi Tsintskiladze, [Adjara’s] Interior Minister Jemal Gogitidze – all of them are perfect persons,” Aslan Abashidze said.