Saakashvili Says Abashidze is Losing Grip on Power

Adjara to Top New Parliament’s Agenda

Georgian authorities, which seek for regaining control over the restive Adjarian Autonomy, reportedly are negotiating with the law enforcer chiefs of Adjara to convince them to ignore orders from Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze and remain loyal to Tbilisi. Meanwhile, the Parliament at its inaugural session on April 22 intends to pass a statement condemning Abashidze’s policy.

“The central authorities try to convince Adjarian law enforcer chiefs, who are controlling armed groups in Adjara, to stay loyal to the central government and not to obey Abashidze’s orders,” Koba Khabazi, one of the leaders of Our Adjara movement, which is Abashidze’s radical opposition told Civil Georgia on April 21.

President Saakashvili said at a news briefing late on April 21 that talks have already given first positive results. “Around hundred policemen in Adjara have already expressed readiness to defy Adjarian leader’s orders,” Mikheil Saakashvili said.

“Abashidze is loosing more and more supporters day after day,” Saakashvili added. He also warned that the central authorities have “all the resources to carry out police operation in Adjara.”
 
Disarmament of Abashidze’s supporter militia groups is a major bone of contention between Tbilisi and Batumi. Abashidze, who agreed to share incomes from Autonomous Republic’s customs at Turkish border and Batumi port by allowing President Saakashvili’s representatives to monitor operations at these two cash rich areas, categorically refuses to disband his paramilitary forces.

“Moreover he continues purchasing arms, which is smuggled in Adjara by sea; that is why I request central authorities to launch probe over Batumi-based coast guard unit. I have doubts, that like 25th Brigade of the Defense Ministry, the coast guard unit there is also under Abashidze’s control,” Edward Surmanidze another leader of Our Adjara opposition movement told reporters.

Georgia’s Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant for Maj. Gen. Roman Dumbadze, former commander of the Batumi-based 25th Brigade, who is charged with treason. Maj. Gen. Dumbadze has openly sided with Aslan Abashidze and refused to obey central authorities. However, most of the officers – up to 40 out of 50 – of the brigade stayed loyal to the central government and arrived in Tbilisi.  

President Saakashvili ordered on April 21 to redeploy 25th Brigade from Batumi to Tbilisi temporarily.

“The 25th Brigade will be temporarily based in Tbilisi. It will be composed by those officers and soldiers, who refused to obey renegade former commander of the brigade, as well as by conscripts,” Defense Minister Gela Bezhuashvili said at a news briefing on April 21.

He added that about 300 officers and soldiers will be in the brigade. “The weaponry of the Brigade will also be redeployed in the capital,” the Defense Ministry said. However, he did not specified how the weaponry will be withdrawn from the defiant region.

Meanwhile, newly elected Parliament will discuss situation in troubled Adjara at its first session on April 22. “The Parliament will approve statement, which will be a political and legal evaluation of recent developments in Adjara,” MP Tamaz Diasamidze of Our Adjara movement said on April 21.