OSCE Chairman urges Batumi to resume negotiations with Georgian leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C., 5 May 2004 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, has expressed his deepest concern over the recent developments in Ajara. He stressed the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity and national unity of Georgia as a prerequisite for the country's democratization and the stability of the volatile region of southern Caucasus.

"I strongly deplore the destruction of bridges on the administrative border of Ajara with Georgia as a completely inadmissible act", said Minister Passy. "I urge the leader of Ajara, Aslan Abashidze, to categorically refrain from any further actions that threaten not only the internal stability of Georgia but also the overall security and stability in the southern Caucasus."

The Chairman-in-Office called on Mr. Abashidze to resume negotiations and to take all necessary steps aimed at the peaceful resolution of the situation within the constitutional framework of Georgia.

In a phone call late last night from Washington, where he is currently involved in meetings, Minister Passy was assured by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili that the central authorities were strongly committed to the peaceful resolution of the situation.

The CiO added that the Bulgarian Chairmanship had been following with the deepest concern the worsening situation in the field of respect for human rights, including the freedom of both the media and movement in Ajara.

"I am deeply worried by the threat of a humanitarian crisis in the region, caused by the de facto economic isolation resulting from the recent actions taken by its leadership. I strongly urge the leadership of Ajara to ensure that all political, civil, economic and social rights and freedoms of the population are observed in full."

Minister Passy said he believed it was imperative for both sides to exercise maximum restraint in order to put an end to the current situation and to place the process of resolution firmly back in the political arena. Any resort to force would be unacceptable, he added.