Jan 29, 2005

Abkhazia: Moscow Supports Pace Call for Settling Abkhazia and South Ossetia Problems at Talks


The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that "Russia, being a direct and active participant in the settlement of the Georgia-Abkhazia and Georgia-Ossetia conflicts, will continue doing its best to promote the final settlement of these problems in th
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The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that "Russia, being a direct and active participant in the settlement of the Georgia-Abkhazia and Georgia-Ossetia conflicts, will continue doing its best to promote the final settlement of these problems in the interests of peace and stability in the Caucasus."

PACE criticized the Georgian authorities for creating an inadequate model of the Adzharian autonomy, which amounts to an attempt to curtail its autonomy. The statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry also says that the resolution adopted at the PACE session, which supports the political, legal and socio-economic reforms in Georgia, includes also a vital appeal to the republican leadership.

"A year after the Rose Revolution in Georgia, the time has come to return political life to the framework of existing constitutional institutes," RIA Novosti was told in the ministry's Department of Information and the Press. "The post-revolutionary situation must not be used to justify the adoption of hasty decisions and neglect for democratic and human rights standards."

The participants in the PACE session expressed concern over the creation of a political system with excessive presidential powers, a weak opposition and civil society, and the absence of a system of checks and balances in Georgia. They recommended the Georgian leadership to review the political reforms carried out last February with due regard for the opinion of European and international experts, says the commentary of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"PACE has serious complaints to the judicial and law enforcement agencies of Georgia, which continue to work by the money-for-freedom principle. It also noted unacceptable conditions in prisons and confirmed cases of torture," says the statement.

 

Source: Novosti