23:29, 16 February 2005

No negotiations with Abkhazian government in exile

"We won't meet with Irakli Alasania as a representative of the so called Abkhazian government in exile, despite the fact that the Georgian president has appointed him envoy for the Georgian-Abkhazian negotiations," acting Abkhazian foreign minister Sergey Shamba said to the Caucasian Knot correspondent commenting on Mikhail Saakashvili's decision. According to Mr Shamba, the format of the negotiations was established long ago: the Abkhazian and Georgian sides participate in them. "No mater how Alasania is called, for us he is a representative of the called Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, functioning in Georgia. And it implies the legalization of these illegal structures," Sergey Shamba pointed out.

Irakli Alasania, chairman of the Abkhazian government in exile, was appointed envoy for the Georgian-Abkhazian negotiations by Mikhail Saakashvili's order today. Alasania will take part in the talks in Geneva set for the middle of March.

Author: Anzhela Kuchuberiya, CK correspondent