Press Digest 30.05.2014

Rule of Two in Abkhazia

“Rule of Two has, in fact, been established in Abkhazia’s De-Facto republic; today, Khajinba’s opposition is presiding over Sokhumi, while Gudauta is being controlled by “President” Anakvab. It would also be interesting to note that yesterday the De-Facto Parliament drafted a special memorandum via which the MPs refused to give a vote of confidence to “Premier” Leonid Lakerbaia and called on President Anakvab to step down. The so-called National Assembly counts 35 “deputies” out of which the majority – 21 of them — were present at yesterday’s meeting; out of these 21 deputies 20 of them approved the decision made by the Parliament. The Coordinating Council of Civil society Organizations and Opposition Parties formed “the Government of National Trust and Coordination” and declared that until a new President is installed into power they will take the helm of the republic. The law enforcement agencies have abstained from interfering in the situation, however, as per their leaders, they have remained staunch supporters of the acting president,” reports the Rezonansi gazette.

“Another demand from the left-wing party became known yesterday – along with Mr. Anakvab’s resignation, they have raised a requirement on integrating Abkhazia within the Eurasian Union. The Russian representatives sent by the Russian leader to Abkhazia to stabilize the situation in the region have not managed to fulfill their mission thus far. Alexandre Anakvab -- who at this point is in one of the Russian military bases -- and his government have expressed readiness to shift on compromise and make concessions with the opposition. Thus, the Government, Chief Prosecutor as well as the Governors of Gali, Ochamchire and Tkhvarcheli --regions inhabited by a Georgian population – are geared up to stand aside. The Opposition led by Raul Khajimba, has left their demand on Alexandre Anakvab’s resignation unchanged,” the article says.

“The Russian mediators, Putin’s top counselor, Vladislam Surkov, and Russia’s Deputy Security Council Secretary, Rashid Nurgaliev state that the Government and the left-wing party have agreed on launching negotiations, however, work in this direction has moved at a snail’s pace so far. Reportedly, at the meeting between the Government and the opposition, Security Council Secretary, Nugzar Ushamba will represent the Government, while a member of the Coordinating Council of different political parties, Vitali Gabnia will run for the opposition at large. As per Mr. Surkov, their great desire is to reconcile the issue by conciliating the opposing sides; however, as per him, the objective is not so easy to achieve. Allegedly, de-facto Premier of Abkhazia, Leonid Lakerbaia, is ready to bow out from his post; “We are geared up to a strike conciliatory tone; we have already presented the Russian mediators with our decision,” declared Mr. Lakerbaia.

“They have to comply with the people’s requirements. We require the President’s resignation and a peaceful regulation of all existing issues that are, obviously, to be resolved via constitutional norms. Zero Compromise! The President must step down!” declared the leader of the opposition after the meeting with the Russian mediators was wrapped up. Yesterday, the left-wing party promulgated an announcement on Abkhazia’s integration within the Eurasian Union. According to the announcement, Abkhazia is keeping an alert eye on the ongoing developments around the world, and as long as the West has expanded its military presence in different countries across the globe, Abkhazia has grabbed the only tool to retain and safeguard its sovereignty through the medium of Russia’s Eurasian Union,” concludes the author of the article.