ABKHAZ POLITICIANS AT ODDS OVER RAILWAY

Civil Georgia, Georgia
July 4 2006

The Abkhaz authorities are thoroughly considering proposals over
resumption of railway connection between Georgia and Russia via
Abkhazia and are ready to contribute only if the project coincides with
the Sokhumi’s interests, a statement issued by the breakaway region’s
government on July 4 says, according to the Apsnipress news agency.

The statement follows after a Forum of Abkhaz People’s Unity,
which includes three opposition parties and nine public movements,
said on June 30 that an agreement on setting up of the international
consortium on railway rehabilitation uniting the Russian, Georgian,
Abkhaz and Armenian sides, pose threat to the Abkhazia’s sovereignty.

Forum of Abkhaz People’s Unity said in a statement that it is
not against of rehabilitation of the railway, but it categorically
opposes handing over property of the Abkhaz state-run railway to the
international consortium.

Some opposition parliamentarians, including Kesou Khagba, alleged that
Abkhaz and Russian criminal interests are behind the railway project.

The Abkhaz government denounced the opposition’s allegations as
groundless and said in the statement that talks over the consortium
are of "consultative nature" and no legally binding document has been
signed yet.

The government of the breakaway region also noted that the process
is transparent and open for public discussions.