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| Abashidze talks to his closest ally Gogitidze |
Georgia’s new leadership, which took over the power after the velvet revolution, prefers to be cautious about Adjara Autonomous Republic and its leader Aslan Abashidze.
Aslan Abashidze has recently visited Moscow and held talks with the Russian authorities and the leader of Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia. Abashidze says he would defy the orders of the country’s new leadership but rules out secession.
Abashidze also said that he might use military force if the interim government tries to enforce its authority in Autonomous Republic and added that Adjara will not announce independence.
“People who came to power by force have no right giving orders to anyone, especially to those legally elected,” said Abashidze at a news briefing in Moscow on November 26.
“We are dealing with ultranationalists who will go to any lengths in order to accomplish their own goals and the behests of others,” said Abashidze, who condemned the November 23 events, when Shevardnadze resigned, as an “attempted coup.”
After the velvet revolution broadcasting of the Rustavi 2 television was blacked out in Adjara, as the Adjarian authorities have been criticizing the television for “being prejudiced while reporting the events.”
“Security is increased at Choloki checkpoint [which divides Adjara from rest of the Georgia]. There are much more police and security officers than before,” Mzia Amaglobeli, an editor-in-chief of the local daily Batumelebi, told Civil Georgia.
“Increased security measures are not so evidently seen in Batumi, however, the city is in complete informational isolation. Even Rustavi 2’s web page is blocked by the local authorities,” she added.
Aslan Abashidze, who announced state of emergency in Adjara and cut ties with Tbilisi, arrived to Moscow on November 25. The visit further increased Tbilisi’s fears over Abashidze’s intentions.
“It is inadmissible, when the visit takes place without any agreement with the central authorities. It is also inadmissible when the leaders of the breakaway regions visit Moscow and Russia dose not notify the Georgian authorities,” Nino Burjanadze said on November 29.
However the country’s new leadership has already sent some conciliatory messages towards the Adjarian leader. All three leaders of the velvet revolution – Nino Burjanadze, the Interim President, Mikheil Saakashvili, presidential candidate and Zurab Zhvania, the State Minister make were guardedly moderate when talking about Abashidze.
Observers say, that now the interim government’s main concern and the top priority is to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections in peaceful and calm atmosphere throughout Georgia. As there is around 10% of Georgia’s voters residing in Adjara, Aslan Abashidze has a big role to play.
“We understand that Mr. Abashidze is playing an important role in internal political developments and we are not going to make any radical steps towards Adjara. We do not intend to build up tensions form our side,” Mikheil Saakashvili, the National Movement’s leader said on November 25.
“All problems should be solved within the framework of the Constitution. I am ready to visit Batumi and hold talks with Mr. Abashidze,” Zurab Zhvania said.
“I am willing to meet Mr. Abashidze, as soon as he returns from Moscow in order to resolve all the problems,” Nino Burjanadze said on November 29.
Even the Abashidze’s most radical opponents have levelled their tone.
“Aslan Abashidze feels that he is looing the power and does everything to stay at the top. Abashidze’s government should be dismounted, however not through violence but through the elections,” David Berdzenishvili told Civil Georgia.
Couple of hours prior to Shevardnadze’s resignation on November 23, Aslan Abashidze issued a special decree imposing a state of emergency in the autonomous republic. Railway communications between Batumi and Tbilisi were suspended.
The decree says “the Adjarian Autonomous Republic condemns forceful overthrow of the government and cuts all ties with the criminals, who took over the power in Tbilisi.”
Buildup of security measures in Adjara to protect its regime was anticipated. After the fraudulent November 2 parliamentary elections, Abashidze has expressed full support to Shevardnadze and served as his envoy in the region.
In one of his latest interviews, president Shevardnadze mentioned that before his resignation, Abashidze phoned him and offered “military assistance,” to retain power, but Shevardnadze said that he “rejected the proposal.” “And then he [Abashidze] also agreed that the use of force would not be a good decision,” Shevardnadze added.
To increase his power, Abashidze’s puppet parliament has amended Adjara constitution immediately after the November 2 elections, granting Abashidze the status of the supreme military commander of the autonomous republic. According to the amendments, the autonomous republic will be able to form its own military units. The legal experts say these amendments contradict Georgia’s constitution.
Last week Georgian Defense Minister Davit Tevzadze inspected the military bases throughout Georgia. He also visited Batumi. “I had no problems in Adjara,” he said at a news briefing in Tbilisi on November 29.