The Messenger, Georgia
March 16 2005

Baghapsh calls for dialogue
Abkhaz leader proposes joint Russian-Georgian anti-terrorism base in
Abkhazia, calls for closer economic ties
By Anna Arzanova

Visiting Moscow on March 15, Abkhaz de facto president Sergei
Baghapsh called for the renewal of dialogue between Abkhazia and
Georgia.

Stressing that the ongoing conflict between the two countries should
be resolved through peaceful means, he said that a joint
Russian-Georgian anti-terrorism center could be set up in Abkhazia,
and that Sukhumi and Tbilisi should focus first of all on developing
economic ties.

Baghapsh also announced that the leaders of the breakaway regions
Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transdnestre (Moldova) and Nagorno-Karabakh
(Azerbaijan) plan to hold a summit to coordinate their policies in
the near future.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow, in the office of the
Russian news agency Interfax, Baghapsh told journalists that a date
and place for the joint meeting would be agreed in the near future.

“Tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, we will decide when to hold
this meeting. It may be held in Moscow, or somewhere in the North
Caucasus,” Baghapsh said, adding that a meeting was necessary at the
present time particularly because of the current situation in South
Ossetia and Transdnestre.

“We should agree on our tactics, particularly, the normal, peaceful
and negotiating process so that to avoid the same situation that was
ten-twelve years ago,” he said, adding that they should make every
effort so that nobody needs other’s help. “We should calmly and
peacefully hold negotiations,” he added.

The republics would not permit the use of force to resolve the
conflicts, he said, adding that Abkhazia is ready for the development
of any scenario in its relations with Georgia, providing this
scenario is peaceful.

If something worse takes place, however, Baghapsh said he was sure
assistance would be rendered by people from the mountains and
elsewhere, “because injustice is always punished. Everything must be
done peacefully, fairly and according to our conscience,” he
stressed.

Baghapsh, accompanied by Abkhaz Vice-President Raul Khajimba, has
been in Moscow since March 11, where he is holding consultations with
Russian politicians.

The Abkhaz de facto president thinks that the main guarantor of
stability in the region is Russian peacekeeping forces, the
withdrawal of whom the Sukhumi government will not allow for peace.
“The Russian military base in Abkhazia is a factor of stability,” he
said.

However, Baghapsh said that the military base in Gudauta could become
a Russian-Georgian anti-terrorist center. “Georgia and Russia have
been discussing the creation of an anti-terrorist center, and I think
that Gudauta base could become a center,” he said, adding that it has
all the facilities required.

Baghapsh also noted that “the issue of the replacement of
peacekeepers in Abkhazia by Ukrainians or NATO will be discussed [at
the summit] as well. We are not going to allow other forces in
Abkhazia except Russian ones. Our standpoint in this issue is firm
and clear.”

He expressed his regret that no peaceful agreement with Georgia has
yet been signed. “Because of this issue, the peaceful regular
preparation of reservists, people who passed through the war and are
well prepared in military issues, is being implemented in Georgia,”
Iterfax reports him as saying.

As for any possible visit to Tbilisi, Baghapsh said that he will
travel to Georgia when both sides are ready to solve very serious
issues. “I think that such a time will certainly come,” he told
journalists.

Baghapsh reiterated that he supports the renewal of the negotiation
process with Georgia and said that preliminary working groups from
both sides should prepare a possible meeting between the leaders of
Georgia and Abkhazia, adding that such groups could meet as early as
April.

The Abkhaz leader also spoke about the economic development of
Abkhazia, explaining that he had not come to Moscow with the prime
intention of discussing political issues, but rather to discuss
economic issues.

He stressed that negotiations between Sokhumi and Tbilisi should
begin with consideration of economic ties. “We should start with the
economy. We offer to solve the issue of the railway, energy and
return of refugees and then it will be possible to start solving
political issues as well,” he stated at the press conference.

Baghapsh noted that internal Abkhaz passports would be given to
Georgian refugees who return to the Gali region of Abkhazia. “People
who return to Gali must receive internal Abkhaz passports. The
possibility of giving these people dual citizenship, Georgian and
Abkhaz, should be discussed. But we will still give such people
internal Abkhaz passports.”

He also confirmed that Abkhazia will also continue issuing Russia
passports as well. “The majority of the Abkhaz leadership, including
myself, are Russian citizens as well as Abkhaz,” he added.

Responding to a question regarding the investigation into the recent
attack on the prime minister of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab, Baghapsh
said that the investigation is still underway and that nobody has yet
been detained. “From the investigation standpoint, the attack had a
political character,” he said.

Baghapsh stressed that the Abkhaz government is united and that there
are no disagreements among the new leadership. He also emphasized
that the new leadership of Abkhazia follows all the compromises and
agreements that have been achieved recently. He thinks that the
situation in Abkhazia is calm and stable.

Sergei Baghapsh met with the Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov on March 14
and also with South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoiti, who is also in
Moscow.