ABKHAZIA’S RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO WOULD BE POINTLESS – BAGAPSH

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
February 26, 2008
Russia

If Abkhazia recognizes Kosovo’s independence, this will not
significantly amend the current political situation in the world,
said Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh.

"Journalists have asked me frequently of late why Abkhazia was not
among the first countries to recognize Kosovo. If anything depended
on our recognition, we would have long ago recognized independence
of South Ossetia, Transdniestria, and Nagorno-Karabakh, and they
would have recognized us, but what’s the point? Everything should be
done correctly, and it is necessary to anticipate how this or that
step could work and how expedient this would be in political terms,"
Bagapsh said at a press conference in Sukhumi on Tuesday.

"We perfectly understand that Russia cannot immediately resolve the
problem of Abkhazia’s independence, and the way the situation is
developing these days confirms this," he said.

The State Duma will hold hearings on Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and
Transdniestria on March 13-14, Bagapsh said, adding that he plans
to visit Moscow at this time for meetings at the State Duma and the
Federation Council.

"As regards the international community, there are no reasons to
expect a prompt positive decision on our issue. Such addresses were
made earlier," Bagapsh said.

"Afghanistan rather than the U.S. and the United Kingdom was among
the first countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence. Abkhazia also
has its plan, and we are not going to miss the chance for having our
independence recognized," he said.

"There is every reason to recognize Abkhazia, first of all legal ones,"
he said.