Abkhaz PM Denies Opposition’s Accusations
On November 16 Abkhaz de facto Prime Minister Nodar Khashba denied accusations made by the Abkhaz opposition that “Khashba called on Russia to bring troops to Abkhazia to restore order in the region.”
Leaders of the Abkhaz opposition movements Amtsakhara, Aitaira and United Abkhazia sent an appeal to the Russian government on November 16, in which they laid full responsibility on Abkhaz Prime Minister for the November 12 clash between the supporters of the two, main presidential rivals Sergey Bagapsh and Raul Khajimba in Sokhumi.
“I really support Russia’s stance regarding Abkhazia; but first of all, I am a pro-Abkhazian Prime Minister and I have never called on Russia to dispatch troops to Abkhazia,” Khashba said in an interview with Itar-Tass news agency on November 16.
Khashba said he would continue talks with both presidential candidates. “Sergey Bagapsh [the opposition candidate] promised me he would solve the issue of removing his people from the governmental offices,” the Abkhaz de facto Prime Minister added.