Abashidze’s Foreign Visits Increase Opposition’s Fears
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| Abashidze sees his influence increase |
Facing the political crisis, President Eduard Shevardnadze increased the influence of the Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze.
Immediately after the talks with Shevardnadze in Batumi, Aslan Abashidze paid unexpected visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
According to the official reports, Aslan Abashidze discussed recent developments in Georgia with Armenian President Robert Kocharian and later personally congratulated Ilham Aliev on his presidency.
President Shevardnadze’s phone conversations with the Armenian, Azeri and Russian Presidents preceded Abashidze’s visits. Reportedly all three leaders promised Shevardnadze full backing in ongoing political crisis.