Time for the Political Solution is Running Out in Adjara

Q&A with MP Giga Bokeria

Georgia’s central authorities seek for smooth, but rapid solution for Adjara conundrum. Political leadership of the ruling National Movement-Democrats party says the time for the political settlement with the defiant leader of Adjara Autonomy Aslan Abashidze is running out. However, official Tbilisi still considers the military option would be too costly.

On April 30 Civil Georgia asked influential MP Giga Bokeria of the National Movement-Democrats how his party and the government hope to find a solution to Adjara problem. Mr. Bokeria is a close associate of President Mikheil Saakashvili and one of the leaders of party’s parliamentary gaction.

Bokeria says Tbilisi is not going to tolerate Abashidze’s regime in Adjara for two more years. According to the controversial constitution of the Adjara Autonomous Republic, elections of the local legislative body is scheduled for 2007 and elections of the President of the Autonomy (the post currently held by Aslan Abashidze) – in 2006.

Q.: What is a maximum compromise the central authorities may commit themselves to regarding Aslan Abashidze?
 
A.: If he [Aslan Abashidze] and his ‘inner circle’ quit politics, the authorities will ensure their safety and the criminal charges will not be brought against them. This is the maximum of what we can offer to Abashidze and his allies. We are ready to discuss this proposal with him.
 
The second way is to appoint snap elections in Adjara. The Adjarian leader should meet the requirements of the Georgian constitution, which implies disarmament [of the paramilitary forces], subordination of all [local] law enforcement structures to the [republican] authorities, creation of normal atmosphere for the elections, and an end of terror against political opponents. Only afterwards the local government elections will be held in Adjara. Abashidze would definitely lose [in these elections] and everything will be put in order.
 
Q.: Is there any particular plan to be used by the central authorities regarding Adjara?
 
A.: During the past period we were forced to drag the process [in order] to ensure security of our citizens. Residents of Adjara are hostages of the Adjarian authorities and in order to release them we should be extremely careful…
 
The majority of the Adjarian population supports the central authorities and personally President Saakashvili. Abashidze represents a great problem for [the local population]. They urge us to help them tackle this problem.
 
The authorities pursue consistent policy. The process of collapsing Abashidze’s ‘stronghold’ continues as his most devoted allies defect . However, the main problem is that Abashidze responds by repressions. This will put the central authorities in a difficult position and may trigger the use of force to solve the problem.  However, we will do our best to avoid it. 
 
Q.: Will the central authorities use force?

A.: We have to consider the possibility of use force, if all other resources are exhausted. Now, all our resources for the political settlement of the crisis are almost exhausted, [the are] on the brink of exhaustion. But, as you see, we have not taken any forceful measures yet, although we are ready for it.
 
We have a specific interest – the rule of law on Georgia’s entire territory, the rights of citizens should be protected. Moreover, we speak about the region of Georgia, where the problem of ethnic confrontation does not exist at all, where 99% of the population identifies itself with the Georgian state. Unfortunately the situation is different in breakaway Abkhazia and Samachablo [formerly South Ossetia – Civil.ge], where our enemies and our mistakes have created the ground for ethnic hatred. Part of our citizens living there do not identify themselves with the Georgian state.
 
We will not make any compromise at the expense of Georgia’s national interests. We should be confident that we have the power to settle the problems. Force would be used only as a last resort, of course this is a severe measure, but sometimes such measures are necessary.
 
I will find it difficult to speak about the period of time in which the problem might be solved, but currently time works against Abashidze, his regime is collapsing. However, if this problem is not settled in the short-term, then time will work in favor of Abashidze. He will try to unsettle the situation in the rest of Georgia. Our citizens will be disappointed by the new authorities if we fail to solve this problem soon. 
 
We cannot give him time and cannot tell our Adjarian citizens to tolerate Abashidze’s regime for some more years. The primary goal of the authorities is to settle the problem smoothly and as soon as possible.