Georgian President defends signing of controversial Abkhaz Protocol

Eduard Shevardnadze told journalists in Tbilisi on 24 July that he sees no alternative to a peaceful resolution of the Abkhaz conflict, Caucasus Press reported. But Shevardnadze added that he does not exclude the possibility that some unnamed factions may be preparing secretly to resolve the issue by force. Shevardnadze also said that there are no grounds to criticize Minister of State Gia Arsenishvili for putting his signature to the 11 July joint protocol on stabilization measures in the conflict zone. Representatives of the Georgian displaced persons from Abkhazia have criticized the article of that protocol that envisages legal measures against persons who advocate resolving the conflict by force (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 17 and 21 July 2000). LF
...AS DISPLACED PERSONS DEMAND REPRESENTATION AT PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. Meanwhile, the participants in a round-table discussion of ways to resolve the conflict have advocated that the displaced persons be represented in the ongoing peace process, Caucasus Press reported on 24 July. In a statement addressed to Shevardnadze, they argued that the negotiations currently in progress exacerbate tensions rather than contribute to a solution. LF

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