Georgia: Abkhaz war veteran group warns winner of disputed presidential poll

Apsnypress news agency, Sukhumi
29 Nov 04

Excerpt from a statement adopted at a meeting of Abkhaz war veterans
in Sukhumi on 29 November, carried by the Apsnypress news agency

Since the October 2004 presidential election an extremely complex
political situation has developed in Abkhazia. [Passage omitted: the
election was marred by irregularities]

It must be noted that not a single ethnic group voted overwhelmingly
for any of the candidates, except for the Megrelians [Georgians from
the western region of Samegrelo] and Georgians, about 85 per cent of
whom voted for one candidate [Sergey Bagapsh]. Such unanimity can only
be explained by the use of certain election and, more generally,
geopolitical methods [as received]. The identity of the authors of
these methods is apparent from what happened in the not too distant
past in Serbia, Armenia and Georgia. These Western, or, to be more
precise, American methods are aimed at undermining the influence of
Russia, America’s main rival in this part of the world.

Given the fact that the Russian Federation has been our military and
political ally in recent years, what is at stake here is not only the
presidency but the country’s future strategic course. We must be very
thorough in dealing with this issue. This course can only be changed
by citizens of Abkhazia, people who have Abkhaz passports and have
renounced the citizenship of the enemy state [Georgia] and are ready
to serve in the Abkhaz army.

In the present situation, we deem it essential that:

(a) under no circumstances should force be used and any step taken by
either side should be within a legal framework;

(b) the results of the presidential election held in the republic of
Abkhazia should be declared null and void;

(c) within 24 hours, the blockade of all state-owned installations,
including government buildings, the Abkhaz state television and radio
committee as well as all television masts, should be lifted and the
appropriate state agencies should take over the guarding of these
installations;

(d) the formation of a new central electoral commission should begin,
with due account being taken of the interests of public and political
forces;

(e) the process of issuing passports of the republic of Abkhazia
should begin;

(f) a new presidential election should be called in the republic of
Abkhazia.

We appeal to S.V. Bagapsh not to hold an illegal inauguration on 6
December. If he does not take our views into account and proceeds
with his inauguration, we, reservists and special detachment
commanders, will only obey the first president of Abkhazia,
V. Ardzinba.

[dated] 29 November 2004, Sukhumi