10 February 2009, 13:00
Georgia suggests demilitarizing Abkhazia
Georgia has moved an idea to announce Abkhazia a weapon-free zone. This was stated by Temur Yakobashvili, Georgian State Minister on Reintegration Matters.
"While Russia plans to deploy its military bases in Abkhazia, we move an initiate to announce Abkhazia a weapon-free zone," said the State Minister and added that Russian armed forces should not stay in the territory of Abkhazia.
"We undertake not to bring our troops to Abkhazia," said Mr Yakobashvili. According to his version, the most acceptable way could be to deploy in Abkhazia international police forces for ensuring the safety of the population, as the Georgia Times writes.
The Day.Az reports that Shota Malashkhiya, chairman of the interim parliamentary commission for restoration of the territorial integrity of Georgia, has also stated that the staff of European observers in Abkhazia should grow up, and the whole zone should be demilitarized.
