Abkhazia does not need Kosovo as a precedent for its claim for independence, the Abkhazian president Sergey Bagapsh has said. The unrecognised republic "has had statehood both within the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union".

He added his people have historically relied on and are committed to Russia.

“We are a small but self-sufficient country today. Big countries merge into unions and alliances. Abkhazia is no exception here, it might join in union with Russia.  Our hopes are on Russia, and it’s not only the position of the leadership but of the people,” he said.

03.13.2008  Russia Today

Sukhum, Abkhazia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba said there was no question of federalism and broad autonomy of Abkhazia as part of Georgia.

Commenting on Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili’s statement, Shamba told Itar-Tass on Saturday that there was no question for Abkhazia to remain part of Georgia.

“Abkhazia’s authorities aren’t going to hold any talks with Georgia on political issues because Georgia violated the fundamental agreement on ceasefire and the separation of forces of May 14, 1994 when it deployed military units in the upper part of Kodori gorge in July 2006,” Shamba stressed.

“We can only discuss measures to build good-neighbourly relations with Georgia. This is a priority for the talks,” he said.

In his words, “until Georgia withdraws its troops from the Kodori gorge, Abkhazia’s authorities will not agree to hold talks.”

For her part, Georgian parliament speaker Nino Burdzhanadze said she is hopeful that the Abkhazian population and the global community would show interest in Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili’s proposals.

“I hope that the population of Abkhazia will show interest in the Georgian president’s proposals,” Burdzhanadze told journalists on Saturday. “The proposals by Mikhail Saakashvili prove that the Georgian leadership favours the peaceful settlement of the Abkhazian conflict within the internationally recognised borders of Georgia.”

“These are very serious proposals on the joint worthy life of Georgians and Abkhazs within the united state. Saakashvili’s initiatives include concrete proposals on the role and representation of Abkhazs in Georgian bodies of power and on their important role in the country’s life,” she said.

“We hope that Abkhazs will receive Georgian president’s proposals without any interpretation. The population itself will think of what the Georgian leadership proposes it,” the speaker said. She is convinced that the international community “will give an adequate assessment to the Georgian president’s proposal”.

On March 28, Saakashvili said Georgia was offering Abkhazia an unlimited autonomous status within Georgia, the position of the vice-president and a free economic zone. The initiative is about “peaceful settlement of the Abkhazian conflict within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia,” he said.

“We are offering Abkhazia an unlimited autonomous status within Georgia, full federalism, and guarantees of safe and peaceful development in a united country,” he said. “Abkhazs will be broadly represented in Georgian central authorities and have the position of the Georgian vice-president.”

According to Saakashvili, the vice-presidency will be established precisely for Abkhazia.

“I am offering Abkhazia to right to veto any possible amendments to the Georgian constitution and laws, which could limit or infringe their rights to develop the Abkhazian language, literature, culture and traditions,” he said.

“Tbilisi is offering de-facto authorities of Sukhum to discuss a free economic zone in the Omchamchira and Gali districts of Abkhazia,” he said. “This zone will develop the economy of the conflict area and improve the living conditions of Abkhazs, Georgians, other nationalities who currently live in Abkhazia and the natives of Abkhazia who had to flee the area in the 1990s and are waiting for the return home.”

“Tbilisi is also offering a common customs space within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia. The customs offices of Abkhazia will have maximum possible autonomy,” he said.

“These are the widest proposals ever made by Tbilisi to Sukhum for the sake of the conflict settlement,” Saakashvili said. “Tbilisi is ready to start negotiations if Abkhazia wishes to discuss the offers.”

03.29.2008  Itar-Tass

Moscow, Abkhazia accused the country Friday of deliberately sparking tensions in conflict zones in order to speed up its admission to NATO.

South Ossetia has been hit by three attacks in the past two months leaving three people dead and about 20 injured. Abkhazia's leadership says its Air Force brought down a Georgian unmanned combat reconnaissance plane in its airspace on March 18, although Tbilisi denies the incident.

Abkhazia's Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba said: "I see in these actions an attempt to provoke the Abkhaz and South Ossetian sides to demonstrate to Western partners that Georgia needs the North Atlantic alliance's protection."

Georgia has sought NATO membership ever since President Saakashvili came to power in 2003. In February Georgia handed a letter to NATO from Saakashvili asking for admission into the Western military alliance's membership plan.

Shamba accused Tblisi of orchestrating terrorist attacks in the two republics, irreparably damaging relations.

"Any actions, terrorist attacks and subversive activities the Georgian leadership has been traditionally using against our countries have led to a final severance of relations between our states," he said.

Ex-Soviet breakaway regions have stepped up their drives for independence since Kosovo's declaration of independence on February 17. Abkhazia and South Ossetia, along with Moldova's Transdnestr, have since asked Russia's parliament, the United Nations and other organizations to recognize their independence.

Both South Ossetia and Abkhazia were involved in bloody conflicts with Georgia after proclaiming independence following the split-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Georgia is seeking to regain control of the republics and accuses Moscow of encouraging separatism and interfering in its internal affairs.

Last Friday, the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, proposed that the president and the government consider the issue of whether to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Peacekeeping in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone is currently carried out by collective CIS forces staffed with Russian service personnel. The Georgian-South Ossetian conflict area is controlled by joint forces also including Russian peacekeepers.

03.28.2008  RIA Novosti

Sukhum, Europe is increasingly interested in Abkhazia after Russia lifted its embargo on Abkhazia in retaliation for the recognition of Kosovo.

Representatives of the European Union (EU) and of Switzerland, in two separate groups, had talks with officials on their visit to Abkhazia.

The EU group of representatives had Peter Semnebi, the leading Special Representative in South Caucasus, Eric Fournier, France's Representative in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, Mark Fossett, Fredrik Wesslau, Stina Rascal and Kaupo Kend, all private consultants to the EU representative in Tbilisi, Robert Liddell, the European Commission's Representative in Georgia.

While the EU group met on Wednesday with Prime Minister Aleksandr Ankuab and Security Council Secretary Stanislav Lakoba, they paid a visit to Gal, an eastern region where mostly Georgians live.

The aim is to see the situation on location

The government of Switzerland sent to Abkhazia a group of officials under the leadership of its ambassador to Tbilisi Lorendo Ambergo. The officials will have meetings and inspections in Abkhazia until March 31. "We are here to learn about the general situation, and to have talks with government officials, non-governmental representatives and international organizations," said Ambergo, who is being accompanied by his wife Kristian Amberg-Perro, Derek Müler, the representative of Swiss Development and Cooperation in South Caucasus and his wife.

The Swiss diplomats were received by Stanislav Lakoba and Foreign Minister Maksim Gunciya, as well. The Swiss group met with the United Nations (UN) Mission today, and they will visit Gal tomorrow.

The group will visit Sukhum, Gagra and Pitsunda in March 29 and 30 and leave Abkhazia the day after.

03.27.2008  Agency Caucasus

Moscow, Georgia's inclusion in the NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, would speed up the process of Abkhazia's recognition, said Nugzar Ashuba, Speaker of the Parliament of Abkhazia.

The likelihood was that Georgia might become a member of the NATO, Ashuba told a press conference in Moscow, capital of Moscow, and added that it would insert, along with its membership, some regional conflicts into the NATO.

"Even if Georgia becomes a member of the NATO three times, Abkhazia will never be mentioned," said Ashuba. Neither the Abkhazian people nor the Abkhazian state would be intimidated by anything, said Ashuba. "Georgia may become a member of the NATO, if it likes to; this will speed up the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia. The Duma says in its statement that in case of an attempt at including Georgia in the NATO, both the president and the government should speed up the process of recognition of our country's independence.

03.26.2008  Agency Caucasus

 'Georgia seeks green light from US to attack Abkhazia'

Istanbul, Irfan Argun, Chair of the Istanbul-based Committee of Solidarity between Caucasia-Abkhazia, cited some Western diplomatic source in his claim that Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili was trying to receive the green light from the United States (US) to attack Abkhazia prior to the presidential elections in May.

The shooting down of an Israeli-manufactured spy aircraft over Abkhazia early this week might be the signal of Georgia's preparations for a new attack at Abkhazia, said Argun, and added that this tends to result from a recent political turmoil in Georgia. In his written statement, Argun tried to call the attention of the international community to the issue at hand. Basically, Argun warned in his written statement the international community not to let a new fait accompli to be presented to Abkhazia:

"There are signs that a move towards war against Abkhazia might come from Georgia, just as a similar one came from it in 19992, after Georgia has faced the fact that the Western countries' recognition of Kosovo's declaration of unilateral independence without consulting the United Nations (UN) sets a precedent for Abkhazia, a country that has maintained its expectations of being recognized as "an independent and sovereign state" for the last 17 years now. There is now concern that the administration of Georgia, panicked by the increasing likelihood of Abkhazia's being recognized as fully independent, may launch a new war against Abkhazia prior to Georgia's presidential elections in May."

"We see that the international community takes all precautions to help Kosovo maintain its existence because it views Kosovo's independence, despite all its consequent controversial resonance in the international arena, as an employment of the right of small communities to self-determination. While some new countries survived the dissolution of an old bloc at a hard time of globalization and blossomed with the clear approval as well as support of the international community, some other new countries were deprived of their right to self-determination. The latter countries still struggle to maintain their existence as well as to get recognized worldwide. The two of them are Abkhazia and Ossetia."

"It is evident how far Abkhazia has progressed in its struggle for independence and existence despite all obstructions it has faced visibly and all the damage it has sustained from Georgia's attacks. Able to sustain its determination to keep its 'de facto' independence and sovereignty in spite of its being subjected to constant attacks, constant threats and constant attempts of abuse, Abkhazia still considers a possible treaty of nonaggression with Georgia as a step further in the direction of peace. However, the call from Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, who is acting as a mediator between the sides, was rejected aloud."

"There is word that Georgia, in constant avoidance of such a treaty of nonaggression, prepares to present a fait accompli, while it also expects to get approval from its supporters to launch a new attack. We, the Caucasian Diaspora, want to call the attention of the whole world to these developments in order not to be presented with a new 'fait accompli,' the price of which will be high for both sides to pay."

"It should NOW be known that the fire would burn both those who set it and those who only watched it burn after fires broke out across the entire Caucasus. We all pay the price for ambition and mindlessness as increasingly available in the globalizing world... Neither the Caucasus nor the Caucasian Diaspora can bear a new attack craze through Abkhazia. For that reason, we are once again calling out to the international community: Just as you mobilized for Kosovo, do something and stop the Caucasus from catching fire."

03.25.2008  Agency Caucasus

Currently, suitable diagnostic and therapeutic tools are not available in every case, and this situation can only be improved by investment in research and development.

In its two programs in Georgia and Abkhazia, MSF has introduced a new approach in care for patients suffering from multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in order to alleviate what are particularly fastidious treatment conditions, our staff are now offering patients home-care.

Multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis remains a difficult illness to treat, for several reasons:

Around one-half of patients fail to tolerate all of the stated constraints, therefore interrupting their treatment before it is complete. The inability to offer patients less poisonous and less coercive treatment led our staff to explore means of alleviating treatment conditions; whence home-care, which constitutes a pertinent alternative solution.

Reducing hospitalisation time

Treatment of multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis necessarily commences with hospitalisation. It is a difficult period for the patient, with factors such as bad secondary effects, emotional separation, decreased income at home...

In the new approach employed in Georgia and Abkhazia, MSF cuts down this initial isolation phase: the patient remains hospitalised until the MDR-TB bacillus is no longer detectable in sputum. With the reduced contagion risk, the treatment may thereafter continue at home: the patient is isolated from his family for a shorter period. In many cases he feels more motivated to continue the treatment.

Continuing treatment at home

Continuation of the treatment can take place at home, if the patient's dwelling conditions so allow, such as a separate room is available, and proper ventilation, appropriate heating… If required, MSF will perform certain rehabilitation works.

Our teams provide several kinds of day-to-day patient-support, including regular home visits by psychologists and social workers. These give the opportunity for patients to air their problems.

Patients also receive material or financial aid: firewood, clothes, proper nutrition etc. The improvement of patients' living conditions has an impact on treatment-continuation. At Zugdidi, since commencement of the project in November 2006, none of the 81 patients has abandoned his treatment...

Research and Development. Although caring for patients at home ensures better treatment-discipline, it changes nothing in terms of medical follow-up.

Currently, suitable diagnostic and therapeutic tools are not available in every case, and this situation can only be improved by investment in research and development.

Nevertheless, home-care for patients leads to fielding of new methods, the results of which must be evaluated. Depending on the findings, MSF may consider replicating the scheme on a larger scale.

03.25.2008  Medecins Sans Frontieres

With the latest statement passed by Russia's Duma, Transnistria (Pridnestrovie) and two other unrecognized countries are now one step closer to international recognition. Russia already recognized the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. The statement also says they are now democracies with all the proper attributes of statehood.

Moscow, Transnistria (officially: Pridnestrovie) is one step closer to de jure international recognition after a formal statement of support was adopted Friday by the lower chamber of the Russian Federation's legislative assembly, the Duma. The same is true for Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both bordering the Republic of Georgia.

The approved statement followed hearings on the problems facing three unrecognized republics that declared freedom and independence during the fall of the Soviet Union.

The Duma pointed out that after the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, Russia needs to change its previous policy towards Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. It now needs to pay more attention to the will of the people, and their desire for independence, than to the often-opposing principle of territorial integrity which in the case of Kosovo were violated by Pristina and by the nearly forty countries which have so far recognized Kosovo's unilateral independence declaration from Serbia.

The Statement was approved by 440 deputies with a mere 2 abstentions.

Transnistria's sovereignty recognized

Recognizing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria, the Russian State Duma stated that these three republics, which have built - over the years of their de-facto independence - democracies with all the attributes of statehood, have much more grounds for claiming independence than Kosovo had.

As reported by Infotag, the Duma expressed conviction that Russia must resolutely oppose to any attempts of external political, economic or military pressure on Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. The deputies requested the President and the Foreign Ministry to strengthen support for Russia citizens living in Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria, and spoke out for acceleration of multifaceted socio-economic and humanitarian cooperation between Russian regions and the three unrecognized republics, Infotag noted.

The State Duma also announced that it stands for preserving the incumbent format of peacekeeping forces in Transnistria and in the zones of the Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-South Ossetian conflicts until their lasting settlement on the basis of mutually acceptable agreements. In Transnistria, the format is four sided with troops from Russia, Moldova, Ukraine and Transnistria itself, along with observers from the 56 member nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; OSCE. Withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers may lead to catastrophic consequences for the civilian population and to situation destabilization in the regions, the Statement said.

03.25.2008  Tiraspol Times

 Human rights activist: Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's sovereignty more legitimate than Kosovo's

“Presuming that Kosovo will incite separatist moods in other peoples, including the Abkhazian ans South Ossetian ones, is wrong. In fact, Abkhazia, for instance, has always had more grounds and more arguments for self-determination. And the recent statement of the State Duma deputies who have supported the striving of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnestr to independence is very timely,” head of Kabardino-Balkarian Human Rights Center Valery Khatazhukov.

”The statement is, of course, of more a rhetoric character than many hoped it would be. Many hoped that it would contain more clear recommendations for the executive power. But anyhow, this is a positive moment that gives us an opportunity to work with the situation at the federal level,” Mr Khatazhukov observed.

Abkhazia had once joined the USSR as an independent republic. Later, Joseph Stalin annexed it to Georgia. Today, when the USSR is extinct, Abkhazia has no formal grounds to the return of this status. However, for the last 15 years, Abkhazia has proved that she has all the normally-functioning organizations of an independent state, Mr Khatazhukov has reminded.

“Some see contradictions between international principles of self-determination and preservation of territorial integrity of states. As a matter of fact, there are no contradictions. The principle of self-determination is consistently recognized in the provisions of international organizations, first of all, in the UN bylaws. It is even possible to say that it prevails. Territorial integrity of Georgia can only be violated if Abkhazia or South Ossetia joined Russia, i. e., were annexed,” Mr Khatazhukov argues.

According to the human rights activist, argument that the Abkhazian and South Ossetian precedents could lead to the disintegration of the Russian Federation is also ungrounded. “Separatist moods can be provoked by the federal authority itself, if it pursues incompetent national policies inside the Russian state.”

“This could be the result of integration of territorial units, which questions the possibility of preservation of cultural values, of cultural identification of various peoples populating Russia, including the peoples of the Northern Caucasus.”

“Besides, facts of xenophobia have become more frequent, which are not terminated by the government. Most eminent are the anti-Caucasian pronouncements of Zhirinovsky who suggests that the problems of the North Caucasus be solved by deportation of peoples residing in the region to outside the Caucasian Mountains. And Zhirinovsky is a head of a parliamentary party,” Khatazhukov noted.

“Besides, separatism may be incited by thwarting national development programs, including a number of hours for the study of indigenous people's languages,” the rights activist argues. “If in early 1990s, up to 70% of schools performed instruction in the primary school in the Kabardian and Balkarian Languages, now the percentage is becoming lower,” Khatazhukov stressed.

03.24.2008  REGNUM

Sukhum, “We have once tried to live in one state with Georgia, and are not going to try again,” speaker of Abkhazian parliament Nugzar Ashuba stated at a press conference in Moscow on March 24.

Commenting on a REGNUM correspondent's question on how he views plans of a number of Georgian opposition politicians to create a confederation comprising Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Georgia, Ashuba said: “I congratulate Georgia if it is going to build a normal democratic state, but what does it have to do with Abkhazia? We were annexed to Georgia as late as in the Soviet times, by decision of Stalin and Beria. Abkhazia has nothing to do with Georgia,” Ashuba emphasized.

“You Europeans can forgive your enemies, and we in the Caucasus are hot people, and we have the blood vengeance tradition largely preserved. And blood was spilled between us, several thousands of Abkhaz lads were killed. For this reason, we, unfortunately, are going to remain foes for the century to come,” the Abkhazian parliament speaker noted.

“I think, if Georgia recognizes independence of our country, it will influence the situation of the Georgian and Abkhaz ethnicities positively. We have failed to live in one country. We have tried once and are not going to try again,” Ashuba stated.

03.24.2008  REGNUM

Sukhum, The Armed Forces of the republic of Abkhazia began planned military mobilization exercises on Monday with up to 4,000 soldiers and reservists participating.

General Anatoly Zaitsev, a first deputy Abkhaz defense minister, told journalists that the command post exercises would last until March 28.

Although the area where the exercises are being held is not in the CIS peacekeepers' 'responsibility zone', both they and the UN mission were informed of the exercise in advance. The CIS is an alliance of former Soviet republics.

On March 5, Abkhazia's armed forces completed large-scale five-day artillery and aviation exercises.

The military exercise comes as tensions between Georgia and Abkhazia increase. In further developments on Monday, the Abkhaz parliamentary speaker said that his countrymen were ready to take up arms to defend Abkhazia from any hostile forces.

"We are not afraid of anyone - not NATO, or anyone else. If we need to defend our homeland we will do so," Nugzar Ashuba said, just days after lawmakers in Abkhazia had signed a statement accusing Tbilisi of military aggression, and warning that war could break out in the Caucasus.

In the statement, they called for urgent action from Russia, the United Nations, the OSCE and PACE to "influence the Georgian leadership so that it renounces military force or terrorist activity as means of solving political issues."

Abkhazia's leadership earlier said its Air Force brought down an Israeli-made Georgian unmanned combat reconnaissance plane over its territory on March 18, and accused Georgia of repeatedly violating its airspace. Tbilisi has denied the reports.

Russia's lower house of parliament adopted a statement a few days ago that recommended that Moscow speed up the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Peacekeeping in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone is currently carried out by collective CIS forces staffed with Russian service personnel.

03.24.2008  RIA Novosti

 Duma offers Putin, gvt to consider Abkhazia, SOssetia issue

Moscow, The State Duma offered President Vladimir Putin and the government to consider a possible recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Duma deputies said in the Friday statement on Russia’s policy towards Abkhazia, South Ossetia and the Dniester region.

“Upon studying an address from Abkhazia and South Ossetia deputies of the State Duma offer the Russian president and the government to consider the expediency to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” the statement runs.

03.21.2008  Itar-Tass

Moscow, Having considered a number of amendments to the statement asking the Russian President and the government to review the advisability of declaring Abkhazia and South Ossetia's independence, the Stated Duma approved the statement in principle during today's session.

It was proposed to say in the statement that Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria had more grounds for claiming international recognition than Kosovo. In addition, it was suggested that the State Duma strongly insist on the declaration of Abkhazia and South Ossetia's independence and urge the President and the government to consider the matter without delay. However, the lower chamber of parliament did not approve the amendments.

The bill was passed by a vote of 440, with two abstentions.

03.21.2008  RBC

Sukhum, Lawmakers in Abkhazia signed a statement on Thursday accusing Tblisi of military aggression, and warning that war could break out in the Caucasus.

In the statement, they called for urgent action from Russia, the United Nations, the OSCE and PACE to "influence the Georgian leadership so that it renounces military force or terrorist activity as means of solving political issues."

Abkhazia's parliament accused Georgian authorities of escalating tensions on the border with Abkhazia, which "could have the most severe consequences for both Abkhazia and Georgia, and endanger peace and stability in the entire Caucasus."

Abkhazia's leadership earlier said its Air Force brought down an Israeli-made Georgian unmanned combat reconnaissance plane in its airspace on March 18, and accused Georgia of repeatedly violating its airspace. Tbilisi has denied the reports.

The lawmakers' statement said: "According to international law, violation of the airspace of any state by military planes can be considered an act of military aggression."

Abkhazia has stepped up its drive for independence from Georgia since Kosovo's declaration of independence more than a month ago, which has been recognized by several world powers.

Soon after Kosovo's declaration, Abkhazia and South Ossetia asked Russia's parliament, the United Nations and other organizations to recognize their independence.

Both Abkhazia and South Ossetia were involved in bloody conflicts with Georgia after proclaiming independence following the split-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, proposed earlier on Thursday that the government consider increasing the number of Russian peacekeepers deployed in Georgia's conflict areas.

Peacekeeping in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone is carried out by collective post-Soviet CIS forces mainly staffed with Russian service personnel.

03.20.2008  RIA Novosti

 Declaration of Russia’s politicis on Abkhazia to come up at Duma

Moscow, On Friday, the State Duma will discuss a draft statement "On Russia’s politics in respect to Abkhazia, South Ossetia and the Dniester region, Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov told journalists. A resolution made by the State Duma as a result of parliamentary hearings into the situation in Abkhazia, the Dniester region and South Ossetia is an important issue on tomorrow's agenda, Gyzlov said.

"The problem has been put on tomorrow’s agenda and it will be discussed, Gryzlov stressed.

The draft document circulated among journalists focused on Duma’s concern over Georgia’s ambitions to join NATO. In that case and likewise in case of Georgia’s armed intervention into the territory of the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia it was suggested discussing a possibility of speeding an objective process of sovereignization of Abkhazia and South Ossetia up to the recognition of their independence in accordance with the will of their people, the draft said.

Russia has the right to the respect of the will of its citizens and defense its citizens who predominantly populate Abkhazia and South Ossetia and come out against Georgia’s joining NATO, the document said. The course towards integration into NATO deprives Georgia of a possibility to consolidate its territory and the people who live there, the draft said.

Respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and Moldova Duma deputies believe that the process of recognition of Kosovo’s independence runs contrary to the norms of international law. In this connection, the draft document stipulates that Abkhazia, South Ossetia and the Dniester region that have built democratic states with all the necessary attributes of power have much more grounds to claim international recognition than Kosovo, the draft said.

If the draft is passed Friday Duma deputies will appeal to the government, asking to build up support to Russian citizens, who live in the republics of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and the Dniester region, discuss the problem of opening Russian missions on these territories and study a possibility of maximum facilitating the order of border crossing.

"The wording of the document is categorical enough," Gryzlov declared, adding the text might be amended until tomorrow’s hearings. On Thursday, the draft was submitted to the Duma Council that okayed its circulation, but a number of Duma blocs have suggested clarifying certain provisions of the document, Gryzlov said.

03.20.2008  Itar-Tass

Abkhazian authorities have announced that they may reopen Babushera Airport in Sukhum, which was closed in 1993, right after the Georgian-Abkhazian war. Vyacheslav Eshba, head of Abkhazian Airlines, said that the airport is ready to operate again and that it could handle the overflow from the Sochi airport. Abkhazian authorities have approached Russia before to renew flights to their airport, but it so far remains inactive. Georgia has expressed strong opposition to the reopening of the airport and threatened to deny Russian airliners navigational services in Georgia, to file suit in international court and to obtain sanctions by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Besides having withdrawn from CIS economic sanctions against Abkhazia, Moscow has announced that air travel to and from Georgia, which was broken off in the autumn of 2006, will be renewed on March 25. Observers say Moscow may use that gesture in exchange for the reopening of the Sukhum airport.

A source in the Georgian parliament told Kommersant that, at the recent CIS summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested a compromise to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili: “Georgia agrees to the lifting of the embargo, and Georgia and Russia will reach an agreement on jointly involving Abkhazia in the Sochi Olympics. Moreover, Russia will place a number of orders for Olympic preparations in Georgia itself.”

Meanwhile, Givi Targamadze, chairman of the Georgian Parliament Committee on Defense and Security, told journalists yesterday that the reopening of Babushera Airport would be against international law, since it violates the unity of Georgia's airspace.

03.19.2008  Kommersant

Russia’s parliament, the Duma, has begun consideration of three options designed to increase cooperation between itself and Abkhazia.

Below is an article published by ITAR/TASS:

The State Duma lower house of parliament considers at the present moment three scenarios of Russia’s cooperation with the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. “One of them is recognizing their independence,” the head of the Duma committee for CIS affairs, Alexei Ostrovsky, said on Monday [17 March 2008].

According to him, the second variant envisages “transition to the so-called deferred status in bilateral relations with these territories,” while the third scenario does not change the present status of the republics, but offers “to more actively develop comprehensive cooperation with them, including the opening of Russian missions”.

Besides, the last of the three scenarios envisages the right of tax-free imports in our country “of goods produced by enterprises with the share of Russian capital, operating in Abkhazia and South Ossetia”.

The committee at Russia's State Duma will issue a recommendation to the government to determine the procedure of recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both republics that have been seeking independence from that country since the early 1990's, he said.

Ostrovsky said committee members have drafted a blueprint of the Duma's statement upon the results of last week's [Week 11, 2008] special hearings where the participants discussed the problems existing on the territory of the former Soviet Union.

According to Ostrovsky, the MPs will recommend the government to open all kinds of missions in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Moldova's Dniester region, which will facilitate considerably trade and economic cooperation.

Also, the committee will make a recommendation to ponder simpler border-crossing procedures for the population of the three republics and to scrutinize a possibility of opening the affiliations of Russia's Sberbank /Savings Bank/ there.

When Ostrovsky spoke about the situation in the Dniester region, however, he said the State Duma draws a line between the Dniester problem, on the one hand, and the Abkhazian/South Ossetian problem, on the other hand.

He voiced the hope the Duma will endorse the draft statement recommending the government to begin consultations on the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia's independence.

The MPs are expected to consider the draft statement once again at an extra-schedule meeting of the committee Wednesday, March 19 [2008], and to submit the draft for Duma's scrutiny Friday, March 21 [2008].

03.18.2008  UNPO

Sukhum, Officers of Abkhazian defense ministry showed to journalists wreckage of aircraft found in the Black sea, REGNUM correspondent has reported. It consisted of a plane wing and fuselage fragments. It has been established that the aircraft was Israeli-made and belonged to Georgian Air Force, Abkhazia's deputy minister of defense Garri Kupalba informed.

On March 18, Abkhazian Air Force shot down an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft “that had come from the territory of Georgia.” Secretary of Abkhazia's Security Council Stanislav Lakoba told journalists that “the flying object was noticed in Abkhazian airspace at midday.” The plane was shot down by an Abkhazian Air Force jet fighter near the Primorskoye village at the border of Ochamchir and Gal regions and fell in the sea.

03.18.2008  REGNUM

 Duma considers 3 scenarios of cooperation with Abkhazia, South Ossetia

Moscow, The State Duma lower house of parliament considers at the present moment three scenarios of Russia’s cooperation with republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. “One of them is recognizing their independence,” the head of the Duma committee for CIS affairs, Alexei Ostrovsky, said on Monday.

According to him, the second variant envisages “transition to the so-called deferred status in bilateral relations with these territories,” while the third scenario does not change the present status of the republics, but offers “to more actively develop comprehensive cooperation with them, including the opening of Russian missions”.

Besides, the last of the three scenarios envisages the right of tax-free imports in our country “of goods produced by enterprises with the share of Russian capital, operating in Abkhazia and South Ossetia”.

The committee at Russia's State Duma will issue a recommendation to the government to determine the procedure of recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both of de jure regions of Georgia that have been seeking independence from that country since the early 1990's, he said.

Ostrovsky said committee members have drafted a blueprint of the Duma's statement upon the results of last week's special hearings where the participants discussed the problems existing on the territory of the former Soviet Union.

According to Ostrovsky, the MPs will recommend the government to open all kinds of missions in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Moldova's Dniester region, which will facilitate considerably trade and economic cooperation.

Also, the committee will make a recommendation to ponder simpler border-crossing procedures for the population of the three republics and to scrutinize a possibility of opening the affiliations of Russia's Sberbank /Savings Bank/ there.

When Ostrovsky spoke about the situation in the Dniester region, however, he said the State Duma draws a line between the Dniester problem, on the one hand, and the Abkhazian/South Ossetian problem, on the other hand.

He voiced the hope the Duma will endorse the draft statement recommending the government to begin consultations on the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia's independence.

The MPs are expected to consider the draft statement once again at an extra-schedule meeting of the committee Wednesday, March 19, and to submit the draft for Duma's scrutiny Friday, March 21.

03.17.2008  Itar-Tass

Moscow, Russia's decision to lift sanctions against  republic of Abkhazia does not mean Russia will supply weapons to the conflict zone, a Russian deputy foreign minister said Monday.

On March 6, Russia lifted trade, economic, financial and transport sanctions on Abkhazia, and urged other CIS countries to follow suit. Georgia's envoy to the UN, Irakly Alasaniya, said the decision could lead to the militarization of the conflict zone.

Grigory Karasin said Russia's move was dictated first of all by humanitarian and economic reasons. "The 12 years of the notorious embargo... only aggravated the complicated situation for Abkhazia's residents. Now we can offer socio-economic assistance to Abkhazia's people at a state level," he told the Ogonyok magazine.

"We are not talking about starting supplies of Russian weapons to the conflict region. We are strictly abiding by international rules in this matter," Karasin said.

Karasin advised Georgia to lift its own embargo. "I think the Georgian side should first think about lifting restrictions on its own ties with the Abkhaz side. That would create goodwill and constructive relations," he said.

The deputy minister said Russia is also gradually lifting restrictions on ties with Georgia imposed two years ago, which included visas, air and postal links.

Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia February 17 has led to the so-called Kosovo precedent with the parliaments of republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia requesting Russia's parliament, the UN and other organizations recognize their independence in early March.

Since the declaration by Pristina, the United States and 18 of the 27 EU states have recognized the Republic of Kosovo. Russia, China, Spain, Cyprus and several other countries have refused to recognize its independence.

Both Abkhazia and South Ossetia were involved in bloody conflicts with Georgia after proclaiming independence following the split-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Karasin also said Monday the Russian Foreign Ministry is not closely linking the Kosovo precedent with expanding cooperation between Russia and Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Moldova's Transdnestr.

"Our cooperation... did not start yesterday, it has a long history. I would not strictly link its expansion with Kosovo's unilateral recognition," he said.

Karasin said referendums were held in the three breakaway regions. "Their electorate almost unanimously voiced their opinion," he said. "It would be unjust to submit nations close and friendly to us to further suffering."

03.17.2008  RIA Novosti

Tbilisi, Georgia's parliament on Friday called the lifting of economic sanctions by Russia from the republic of Abkhazia an open attempt to infringe upon Georgia's territorial integrity.

On March 6, Russia lifted trade, economic, financial and transport sanctions on Abkhazia, and urged other CIS countries to follow suit.

Georgian MPs also said the session by the Russian parliament's lower house on the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia meant that Georgia's sovereign rights were being disregarded.

"Arguments cited as initiatives to cooperate with Georgia's conflict regions are nothing less than distorting facts and are fully out of line with the current international treaties," the statement said.

Georgian MPs also said the sanctions placed restrictions on military aid, adding that Russia's move now meant that military assistance to separatist regimes will be unrestricted.

Members of Russia's lower house, the State Duma, recommended on Thursday that Moscow open 'missions' in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as in Moldova's Transdnestr.

They did not elaborate on what form these missions could take, although the mere fact that Moscow could now establish some form of diplomatic links with the three republics points to a growing readiness to acknowledge the sovereignty of breakaway regions striving to merge with Russia.

Participants in a State Duma session on the issue of recognition of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnestr also said Thursday the recent acknowledgment of Kosovo's sovereignty by a number of states could complicate the resolution of frozen conflicts throughout the world.

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on February 17. Since then the United States and 18 of the 27 EU states have recognized the Republic of Kosovo. Russia, China, Spain, Cyprus and several other countries have refused to recognize its independence, however.

In early March, reacting to what they called "the Kosovo precedent," the parliaments of the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia asked Russia's parliament, the United Nations and other organizations to recognize their independence.

03.14.2008  RIA Novosti

Moscow, Russia's Parliament has started hearings aimed at strengthening ties with three unrecognized countries on territory of the former Soviet Union. Pridnestrovie, Abkhazia and South Ossetia asked Russia for formal recognition of their independence. Recommendations from the Duma are so far limited to increased aid, closer ties and the opening of new government missions in the three states.

On Thursday, the Russian State Duma began special parliamentary hearings on the territorial conflicts pending in the area of the former Soviet Union. The hearings were prompted by appeals to Russia requesting recognition of the independence of the Republic of Abkhazia, the Republic of South Ossetia, and the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR, although better known under the unofficial name Transdniestria).

Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Pridnestrovie have been running their own affairs since declaring independence in the early 1990s. They do not have international recognition and the United States and European Union oppose independence for them, for reasons which are no longer clear in the wake of American and EU support for recent Kosovo's unilateral breakaway from Serbia.

Representatives from Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Pridnestrovie, located between Ukraine and Moldova, made appeals to Russian lawmakers in the hearing to recognize their independence.

They also said that a withdrawal of peacekeeping forces from the de facto independent republics could have disastrous consequences. In all three states, Russia supplies troops to help with peacekeeping duties within a multilateral format. In the case of Pridnestrovie, Russian servicemen outnumber those of Ukraine, but are a minority when compared to the number of peacekeepers provided to the joint taskforce by both Moldova and Pridnestrovie. The 56-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, is also part of the peacekeeping format in an overseer position.

Igor Smirnov excluded

From Tiraspol, Parliamentary Speaker Yevgeny Shevchuk leads Pridnestrovie's delegation. Other delegates from Pridnestrovie include MP and Chairperson of the Legislation Committee Galina Antufeeva, the Parliamentary envoy for interparliamentary relations Grigory Marakutsa, the heads of the Russian, Moldovan and Ukrainian communities in Pridnestrovie, scientists from Pridnestrovie’s state university and members of the PMR Youth Parliament.

PMR President Igor Smirnov, while already in Moscow for a meeting of the Community for Democracy and Rights of Peoples (an international organization composed of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Pridnestrovie, ed.), was not chosen to be part of Pridnestrovie's delegation to the Duma hearings.

During the hearings, Russian Parliamentarians said Kosovo's self-declared independence from Serbia had created a legal precedent that forced Russia to change its stance, Reuters reported.

" - Our counterparts on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean have opened a Pandora's box [by recognizing Kosovo]," said Alexei Ostrovsky, chairman of the Duma's CIS Affairs Committee.

" - The world community should understand that from now on the resolution of conflicts in the ex-Soviet area cannot be seen in any other context from that of Kosovo," he said at the parliamentary hearing.

Upon completion of the hearings, the Duma, which is the Russian legislative assembly's lower chamber, will adopt a statement with recommendations for the Council of the Federation - the assembly's upper chamber, as well as for the Government of Russia, including its Foreign Ministry.

Recognition not guaranteed

Pridnestrovie and the two other states, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, are hoping for full and formal de jure diplomatic recognition of their current de facto independent status, similar to the recognition which the United States granted to the self-declared state of Kosovo, which unilaterally broke off from Serbia on 17 February 2008. However, over the issue of Kosovo, Russia has accused the U.S. of double standards for its refusal to use a similar approach to similar conflicts elsewhere, and some in the Duma are now fearful that Russian recognition of the three unrecognized countries nearer to Russia would prompt others to say that Russia, too, is guilty of a policy of double standards.

Instead of all-out de jure recognition, a more modest first step which is included in the recommendations drafted by Ostrovsky's committee include examining the possibility of opening diplomatic missions in the three unrecognized countries and boosting humanitarian and economic assistance.

" - We recommend that the Russian government consider opening missions on the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia," Alexei Ostrovsky, head of the commission for relations with ex-Soviet states, told reporters.

" - The foreign ministry will decide whether these representative offices should be consulates or otherwise," Ostrovsky said after the first parliamentary hearing in which some 300 lawmakers and officials took part.

The recommendations also include "examining the possibility of changing the format" of Russia's relations with Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Pridnestrovie. The document's authors say this could include granting recognition.

03.14.2008  The Tiraspol Times

Moscow, The Moscow administration is considering building a health resort in the republic of Abkhazia, a city official said on Thursday.

Russia lifted last Thursday trade, economic, financial and transport sanctions on Abkhazia, and urged other CIS countries to follow suit.

"Moscow is considering building a health resort in Pitsunda, Abkhazia, which is possible now that economic sanctions against the republic have been lifted," said Georgy Muradov, the head of the Moscow city government's department of foreign trade and international relations.

Muradov said that the project would be another step toward expanding the network of Moscow's healthcare institutions abroad.

Moscow authorities bought a recreation camp in Kamchia, Bulgaria, in the fall of 2003, and children from socially vulnerable families are sent there on holiday every year.

Abkhazia appealed last Friday to the United Nations and Russia to recognize its independence.

Both Abkhazia and South Ossetia, were involved in bloody conflicts with Georgia after proclaiming independence following the split up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

03.13.2008  RIA Novosti

Moscow, The speaker of the Russian Federation Council upper house of parliament believes the upper house has the right to recommend Russian regions to directly cooperate with Abkhazia.

“In the light of the fact that Russia has withdrawn from the regime of economic sanctions against Abkhazia, the Federation Council as the chamber of regions can recommend Russian regions to directly cooperate with Abkhazia,” Sergei Mironov told reporters.

He said “such cooperation already exists on the federal and regional levels” with Moldova’s breakaway Dniester region.

“Taking out of context the political and legal international status of unrecognised territories, we should cooperate with them economically,” Mironov is confident. He said many local residents, particularly in Abkhazia, are Russian nationals, “and we must cooperate with them so that they feel that they are not abandoned economically and be more confident”.

In reply to a query whether the lifting of economic sanctions from Abkhazia will aggravate Russia’s relations with Georgia, Mironov said “it is the policy of the Georgian leadership that is first of all to blame for a possible aggravation.”

Russia “has always followed international agreements,” he added. The speaker believes that after the recent meeting of the Russian and Georgian presidents, “there are all grounds for the normalization of our relations”.

03.13.2008  Itar-Tass

The situation in the republics of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdniestria, is one of the issues of today’s agenda of the RF State Duma. The discussion will be held during the parliamentary hearing.

“We are working within legal procedures. There is a fact – the address of respective formations to the world community with the request to recognize their independence. This address couldn’t be left without response, the parliamentary hearing will elaborate respective recommendations,” said Oleg Morozov, first vice speaker at the RF State Duma, the United Russia faction.

Today’s hearing is of no legislative status, Morozov emphasized. Therefore, no decisions on recognizing the independence could be taken today.

Past week, the republics of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdniestria again declared their independence and reiterated they would be seeking the sovereignty recognition from the world community. The parliaments of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdniestria passed the official addresses to quite a few countries and international organizations, including the RF State Duma.

03.13.2008  Kommersant

Moskau, Officials from South Ossetia will address Russia's parliament on the issue of the breakaway republic's independence on Thursday, the region's envoy to Russia said on Wednesday.

Parliament's lower house, the State Duma, will hold hearings on Thursday on appeals from Georgia's two breakaway republics, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as Moldova's Transdnestr, to recognize their independence. Parliamentary speakers from Georgia and Moldova will also attend.

"Relying on historical facts, we will make clear South Ossetia's position, which is our basis for seeking independence. We expect that this will be the beginning of further global processes, including the recognition of South Ossetia's independence, and we will raise the issue tomorrow," Dmitry Medoyev said.

The parliaments of the Russian republic of North Ossetia adopted at a joint session with South Ossetia on Thursday an appeal to Russia's parliament to recognize South Ossetia's independence.

South Ossetia, a tiny territory with a population of less than 100,000, has been seeking international recognition of its de facto independence from Georgia since the breakup of the Soviet Union. However, Tbilisi considers the breakaway province to be part of its territory, and is only prepared to grant it broad autonomy.

The parliament of South Ossetia has also sent appeals for recognition to the United Nations, the European Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and to Russia.

Moscow has repeatedly said the recognition of Kosovo, which declared its unilateral independence on February 17, would set a precedent for other breakaway regions, including in the former Soviet Union.

So far over 25 countries including the United States, Australia, Japan and most EU members have formally recognized the Republic of Kosovo.

Abkhazia appealed on Friday to the United Nations and Russia to recognize its independence.

Both Abkhazia and South Ossetia were involved in bloody conflicts with Georgia after proclaiming independence following the split up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

03.12.2008  RIA Novosti

Moscow, Sanctions against Abkhazia should have been lifted long ago, Leonid Slutsky, first deputy head of the Duma committee for international affairs, told Itar-Tass on Monday.

In his opinion, “we shall help in this way the residents of the region, because the lifting of the restrictions will result in the improvement of the economic situation in Abkhazia.” “One should not regard this step taken by Russia, or the appeals to other CIS countries to follow its example, as a negative action threatening the territorial integrity of Georgia. We do not want that country to be divided, but we urge to see the real situation as it is: it has perceptibly changed since 1996. Abkhazia is meeting all its commitments on the settlement of the conflict with Georgia. It displays a constructive approach to the fulfilment of the agreements. I think such attitude should be encouraged, including by the lifting of the sanctions.”

Slutsky reminded that the Group of Friends of the U.N. Secretary-General for Georgia and the U.N. Security Council had also supported the lifting of the sanctions against Abkhazia.

The Duma will discuss global problems on the CIS territory at the parliamentary hearings on March 13. “The appeal to Russia on the recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is one of the problems to be discussed at the hearings,” Slutsky said.

03.10.2008  Itar-Tass

Sukhum, Like South Ossetia, Abkhazia also called on the international community to recognize its independence.

The Abkhazian Parliament granted official approval in its Friday session to a draft resolution that called on the international community to recognize its independence.

In its appeal to the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the The Abkhazian Parliament stressed that Abkhazia deserved to be recognized because it met all the requisites for statehood. In a separate written statement, the Abkhazian Parliament called on both Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian Parliament, and the Council of Federation, the upper chamber, to recognize Abkhazia.

03.07.2008  Agency Caucasus

 Abkhazia appeals to world organizations over independence

Sukhum, The parliament of the republic of Abkhazia on Friday appealed to the Russian upper and lower houses of parliament as well as the United Nations, international organizations and countries of the world to recognize its independence.

Appeals were approved on Friday at an extraordinary session of the People’s Assembly (parliament).

The parliament noted that the process of the establishment of an independent democratic state of Abkhazia and its independence are irreversible. The gaining of state independence “has deep and objective historical preconditions and is a political manifestation of the achieved level of national consolidation as well as social, economic and cultural development of the Abkhazian nation,” the appeal said.

The people of Abkhazia see that it is “only within the framework of an independent state” that the republic can develop further, maximally ensure its needs and strategically guarantee its national security, it emphasized.

“In connection with the recognition of Kosovo’s independence by many states of the West, the geopolitical situation has changed to a great extent, and favourable preconditions have developed for the recognition of a state independence of the Republic of Abkhazia,” it added.

The appeal stressed that “the parliament and people of Abkhazia highly appreciate the role of Russia as the main guarantor of peace and security in the region”.

The document also referred to “the fundamental principle of the right of nations to self-determination”, “historical realities of the establishment and development of Abkhazian statehood”, as well as noted “an exceptional role of Russia in the fate of the Abkhazian people,” “fraternal ties and close historical relations between the people of Abkhazia and the peoples of the Russian Federation”.

03.07.2008  Itar-Tass

The parliament of Abkhazia has addressed the world community with the request to recognize its independence. A separate address has been forwarded to the RF State Duma and the Federation Council. Parliament of South Ossetia, delivered two similar addresses already.

Abkhazia has emerged as an independent state in the years of actual independence from Georgia, the members of Abkhazia’s parliament claimed, giving Kosovo as an example and reasoning that recognition of that province independence created favorable environment for granting a new status to Abkhazia.

Any attempt to strip Abkhazia of independence will lead to the full-scale military conflict that will involve neighboring states, the masterminds of the address specified. They also thanked Russia for lifting economic sanctions imposed in 1996.

Three self-proclaimed republics, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdniestria urge the world community from time to time to recognize their independence. So far, none of the states have positively responded to the initiative.

But the timing of current address of Abkhazia is different. A day before the statement of Abkhazia’s MPs, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced the withdrawal from CIS agreement of 1996 that banned any contacts of CIS member-states with Abkhazia.

03.07.2008  Kommersant

Sukhum, Abkhazian Parliament granted official approval in its Friday session to a draft resolution that called on the international community to recognize its independence.

The Abkhazian Parliament granted official approval in its Friday session to a draft resolution that called on the international community to recognize its independence.

In its appeal to the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the The Abkhazian Parliament stressed that Abkhazia deserved to be recognized because it met all the requisites for statehood. In a separate written statement, the Abkhazian Parliament called on both Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian Parliament, and the Council of Federation, the upper chamber, to recognize Abkhazia.

03.07.2008  Agency Caucasus

 RF walks out ban on trade, econ, other relations with Abkhazia

Moscow, Russia has walked out its ban on trade, economic, financial, transport and other relations with Abkhazia at the state level, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

“The Russian Foreign Ministry sent a note the CIS Executive Committee in which it said due to the fact that the conditions changed Russia wouldn’ t be linked to the Council of CIS Heads of State resolution, ‘On Measures to Settle the Conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia’, of January 19, 1996,” the ministry said in its statement on Thursday.

“The January 19, 1996 decision by the Council of the CIS Heads of State imposed a ban on all trade, economic, financial, transport and other relations with Abkhazia at the state level,” the ministry said.

“As it is known this decision was taken in 1996 in light of severe confrontation between Georgia and Abkhazia after the bloody war of 1992-1993. Its goal is to convince Abkhazia to take more flexible position, primarily on the return of refugees and displaced persons,” the ministry said.

“Today the situation changed cardinally. Most of Georgian refugees returned to the Gal district of Abkhazia. Further promotion is being refrained by Georgia because it gave up the procedure of registering refugees that was put forth by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees,” the ministry said.

“As for the participation in the settlement of the conflict, Abkhazia complies with its obligations under the main agreements. It is ready take practical steps towards strengthening trust and security in the conflict area. Moreover, in fact it wrecks the negotiating process by deploying an administrative structure, which is subordinated to Tbilisi, in the upper part of the Kodor gorge of Abkhazia,” the ministry said.

“In this context all bans imposed by the Council of CIS Heads of State are fully senseless. They prevent the implementation of social and economic programmes and adjudge to beggary. The lifting of sanctions on Abkhazia is in line of the principle of gradual mitigation and lifting of coercive measures in compliance with the international community’s demands. Georgia and the Group of U.N. Security Council Friends to Georgia supported this move. Its recommendations were backed by the U.N. Security Council,” the ministry said.

In its note the Russian ministry called on CIS member-countries to take similar steps towards withdrawing from the regime of restrictions in respect to Abkhazia.

Georgia has criticized Russia’s decision to lift the ban on trade, economic, financial, and transport relations with the much-troubled region of Abkhazia that has been seeking independence as of the early 1990’s.

Georgian Reintegration Minister Temuri Yakobashvili sized up Moscow’s move as “an attempt to annex a part of Georgian territory economically.”

03.06.2008  Itar-Tass

Abkhazia to adopt a more flexible position, primarily on the return of refugees and other displaced persons.

"Today the situation has changed drastically. The majority of ethnic Georgian refugees have returned to Abkhazia's Gal district," the ministry said.

Abkhazia, an republic with a population around 200,000, has plans to reiterate its calls for recognition of its de facto independence by Russia and major international organizations later this week.

Russia's lower house of parliament the State Duma is to discuss the issue of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on March 13.

Shortly after Kosovo declared independence on February 17, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, both involved in bloody conflicts after proclaiming independence from Georgia in 1991, said the recognition of Kosovo should now be taken into account when considering their claims for sovereignty.

Russia has repeatedly said the recognition of Kosovo will set a precedent for other breakaway regions, including in the former Soviet Union.

The Russian parliament said in a statement in late February that Kosovo's independence gives Russia the right to forge new relationships with self-proclaimed states.

The decision to lift transport sanctions on Abkhazia will significantly increase passenger and freight traffic via Georgia to Armenia, Russia's rail monopoly Russian Railways said.

03.06.2008  RIA Novosti

The parliament of Abkhazia will again address Russia, the U.N. and CIS this week, urging them to recognize its independence.

“Before the end of this week, the parliament intends to pass the address to Russia, the United States and CIS members, requesting them to recognize the independence of our republic,” Abkhazia’s President Sergei Bagapsh told Interfax Wednesday.

The parliament of another self-proclaimed republic of Georgia, South Ossetia, has already addressed such request to the U.N. secretary-general, the RF president and leaders of the EU and CIS.

03.05.2008  Kommersant