State Minister Discussed Kodori Issue with Abkhaz Authority

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 12, 2002) – Georgian State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze discussed the situation in Kodori gorge with Prime Minister of unrecognized Abkhazian republic Anri Jergenia during the phone conversation today.

The parties agreed to meet each other on August 13 to discuss the ways to avoid further aggravation of situation in Georgian controlled upper Kodori gorge, breakaway Abkhazia.

Georgian President’s representative to Kodori Emzar Kvitsiani claims that together with Abkhaz fighters, Russian soldiers are among the armed group, which has entered upper Kodori on August 8-11. While the Georgian Ministry of Defense reports that only the Abkhaz fighters entered the gorge. Abkhaz side, as well as the Russian authorities, refuses accusations.