U.S. Envoy Ready to Hold Talks with Abashidze

U.S. ambassador in Georgia Richard Miles said after the meeting with Interim President Nino Burjanadze on December 11 that the elections should be held as required by the constitution, on January 4.

He said that he is ready to meet head of Adjara Autonomous Republic Aslan Abashidze, who demands postponement of elections until June and threatens to boycott the January 4 elections.

Nino Burjanadze failed on December 10 to convince Aslan Abashidze not to boycott elections. Abashidze and Burjanadze held six-hour long negotiations in Batumi. The both sides pledge after talks to continue negotiations.

Zurab Zhvania, the State Minister is expected to visit Batumi in the nearest days.