21 November 2003, 10:38
Abkhazia denies intentions to invade Kodori Gorge
On November 19, authorities in Abkhazia denied the allegations from the Georgian side that the Abkhazian army was preparing an invasion of the Kodori Gorge taking advantage of the internal political crisis in Georgia. This was announced earlier by Emzar Kvitsiani, plenipotentiary of the Georgian President in Kodori.
Kodori is the only region in Abkhazia controlled by Georgia following the armed conflict of 1992-1993. Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba stated that Abkhazian armed forces "didn't attempt to establish control over the upper reaches of the Kodori Gorge even during the military action against Gelaev's men in October 2001 when they had a full legal and moral right to do so".
"The issue of the Kodori Gorge must be resolved peacefully; Sukhumi has no plans of invasion," he said. However, despite the previously achieved agreements on the withdrawal of the military contingent, Georgia still has up to 1,000 border and reserve guards in the gorge, Mr. Shamba underscored.
Source: Prima News Agency
