Talks Underway with Abashidze

Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Vano Merabishvili said at a news briefing on May 5 that talks are held with Aslan Abashidze and his inner circle to convince them over giving up powers.

“Georgian President [Mikheil Saakashvili] is also involved in the talks, as well as Yuri Luzhkov [Moscow’s Mayor, who has close links with Aslan Abashidze]. Many other mediators are also engaged in talks. Talks are also held with Giorgi Abashidze [Batumi Mayor and son of Aslan Abashidze],” Vano Merabishvili said.

“The talks are about security guarantees in case Abashidze steps down,” Vano Merabishvili said.

“I can not say any other details regarding this process of negotiations,” he added.

Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council also said, “time is running out for Abashidze and his allies.”

“Abashidze’s rule is falling apart. Chief Prosecutor of Batumi resigned, as well as Healthcare Minister and other top officials. Deputy Interior Minister of Adjara also defected Abashidze and arrived in Tbilisi,” Vano Merabishvili said.

He called upon other top officials of the Abashidze’s government to defect the Adjarian leader.

According to the Russian information agency “RIA Novosti” Yuri Tsoi, press-secretary of the Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov denied his participation in talks with Abashidze. “Such participation is possible only at the order of the President [Vladimir Putin]”, the agency quoted Sergei Tsoi.