Talks between Abashidze, Zhvania Postponed

State Minister Zurab Zhvania?s visit to Batumi for talks with Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze, who demands to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in June, has been deferred, as the Georgian governmental delegation will visit Baku on December 15 to attend the funeral of Azerbaijani?s ex-president Heidar Aliyev.

Nino Burjanadze, the Interim President will lead the Georgian governmental delegation. Aslan Abashidze, the head of Adjara Autonomous Republic, as well as ex-President Eduard Shevardnadze, is also expected to arrive in Baku.

The talks between the State Minister and Adjarian leader are expected to be held on December 17. Six-hour long talks between Nino Burjanadze and Aslan Abashidze last week made no breakthrough.

Abashidze still demands to postpone January 4 presidential elections for the later date, otherwise threatens with boycotting the elections.

The U.S. ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles expressed readiness to visit Batumi and negotiate with the Adjarian leader over the issue.

Georgia?s ex-President Eduard Shevardnadze said on December 14 ?Adjara?s participation in the elections would be of vital importance.?