Russian Presidential Envoy meets with Abkhaz leadership
Russian President Vladimir Putin's special
envoy for the Abkhaz conflict, Valerii Loshchinin, met with senior Abkhaz
leaders in Sukhum on 9 January, "The Georgian Times" and RIA-Novosti
reported. The Russian envoy held talks with Abkhaz Prime Minister Gennadii
Gagulia, Deputy Prime Minister Valerii Arshba, and Foreign Minister Sergei
Shamba. Russia is attempting to restart negotiations between the Abkhaz
and Georgians that remain stalled over the Abkhaz demand for a complete
withdrawal of Georgian troops from the upper part of the Kodori Gorge as
a precondition for talks. Georgian officials are also concerned over the
Russian grant of citizenship to a number of Abkhaz residents, characterizing
the act as "unacceptable." RG
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