President’s Briefing. Monday, August 27, 2001

Situation in Abkhazia has been a main topic of the President’s briefing. According to information by the Russian news agencies, on august 24 groups of Georgian and Chechen guerillas have been spotted in Georgia near Abkhazia. Supposedly, they were planning to invade Abkhazia. President Shevardnadze admitted that there were 200-300 men strong groups of partisans, composed of ethnic Georgians, including refugees from Abkhazia, however he strongly refused the fact of presence of Chechen guerillas in the country and blamed Russian mass media for making up such story.

President made a following comment on partisans’ plans: “This was a spontaneous demonstration of discontent within the displaced persons from Abkhazia, especially within the people who have been participating in any manner in military actions previously.  The threat was very serious. Repeat of Gali events even on greater scale was highly probable”. President stated, that adequate measures by power structures and tense consultations with the Abkhazian side helped to avoid renewal of the military actions. President had 4 or 5 telephone conversation with Abkhazian prime prime minister Anri Jergenia. President Shevardnadze stated, that armed groups have been already dissolved and stability in the region has been successfully restored.

According to the information of August 27th, Russian military base in Abkhazia have been put on complete alarm state. Members of the families of Russian militaries left Abkhazia. Looks like Russian expect worsening of situation in Abkhazia.

On August 27th briefing, President stated, that it is necessary to continue peace process; otherwise war would be unavoidable. Shevardnadze made a comment on statement by the Minister of Internal Affairs Kakha Targamadze, who said that if Abkhazian separatists refuse to abandon provocations, Georgian central government would use force against them. Shevardnadze regarded such statement as ‘understandable’, because “patience of displaced persons from Abkhazia is over. Therefore it is quite understandable that the Minister makes rather threatening statements “. Shevardnadze once again confirmed, that if peaceful means of conflict resolution would be exhausted, the war would be inevitable.

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President of Georgia support Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia, Chairman of National-Democratic Party for majorette representative from Vake district of the capital city. In his Monday’s radio interview, President said, that it would be good for supreme legislative organ of the country if Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia would become Parliament’s member.

President confirmed his position during the briefing as well. At the same time, he expressed his discontent towards those members of the “Citizens’ Union” party, who are going to run for the post of majorette representative from Vake district without consulting with the leader of the party, e.g. President Shevardnadze. It should be mentioned, that the Party did not nominate its candidates yet. However, according to unofficial information, “Citizens’ Union” is going to nominate former Minister of Taxes and Incomes Mikheil Machavariani.

President Shevardnadze keeps trying to prove to the citizens that his Party is consolidated and there is no opposition between himself and the Speaker of the Parliament Zurab Zhvania. He says, that the Party and the Parliamentarian Majority do not face the threat of dissolution. However, some other members of the party have a different opinion. Member of the “Citizens’ Union” party, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security Giorgi Baramidze stated that with this demonstration of support to Irina Sarishvili, President has separated himself from the ruling party. “The processes that have been undergoing in the couloirs have become evident now,” stated Baramidze. Even the members do not refuse presence of opposition with the ruling party already. 

12 candidates have applied for the post of majorette representative from Vake district so far. All of them are from the opposition parties. The elections are scheduled for October 21st.