IDPs Demand Peacekeeper Withdrawal

(Tbilisi, July 1, 2003, Civil Georgia) – Up to hundred displaced persons from Abkhazia gathered today in front of the State Chancellery today protesting President Eduard Shevardnadze?s decision to prolong the Russian peacekeepers mandate in Abkhazia for indefinite period of time.

President Shevardnadze said at the news briefing on June 30 that he supports continued deployment of the Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia conflict zone under the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) auspices till one side demands their withdrawal.

IDPs cast doubts regarding the President?s statement that the Russian peacekeepers would immediately withdraw should the Georgian side demand it. They fear the decision would legitimize Russian military presence in Abkhazia for unlimited period of time

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