(Tbilisi, July 13, 2003, Civil Georgia) – After the meeting with the hunger strikers on July 12 demanding withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping troops from the Abkhazian conflict zone, Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze held a phone conversation with President Eduard Shevardnadze, which convened a Parliamentary special session for July 16 to discuss the Abkhaz issue.
Several members of the Veteran Warriors’ Union of Abkhazia started hunger strike 12 days ago. Parliamentary Chairperson, as well as the Secretary of the Georgian National Council Tedo Japaridze, which also met the protesters on July 12, urged them to cease the hunger strike, as their health condition is worsening, however protesters reject authorities’ request.
The Georgian authorities have agreed recently to prolong the Russian peacekeepers’ mandate, deployed in Abkhazia under the CIS auspices for indefinite period of time, until one of the sides demands their withdrawal.
Decision caused protest of IDPs from Abkhazia and the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile, which demand implementation of the 7th article of the UN Charter, considering peace enforcement.
Along with the Abkhaz issue new election code will also be discussed at the Parliamentary special session.
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