Russian PK Mandate Extension to be Discussed at the St.-Petersburg Informal Summit

(Tbilisi, May 29 2003, Civil Georgia) Tamaz Nadareishvili, the head of the Tbilisi-based Abkhazia government in exile, confirmed that the issue of extension of Russian PK mandate in Abkhazia would be discussed at the informal summit of the leaders of CIS member states during the St.-Petersburg anniversary. 

Alexander Yakovenko, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with Russian news agency Novosti, the agreement achieved between the Russian, Georgian Presidents on March 6-7 in Sochi, considering the presence of Russian peacekeepers in the conflict zone until one of the sides declares against, would officially be executed at the summit.

Tamaz Nadareishvili fixed his negative stance during the Georgian National Security Council session, saying such terms are unacceptable for Georgia. He also slammed the position of the friendly nations, who call Georgia to leave Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia and come to an understanding with Russia.

Nadareishvili thinks that the agreement on extension of PK mandate under uncertain terms will probably be signed in St.-Petersburg.