TBILISI, March 18, 2004. (RIA Novosti) - Zurab Zhvania, Georgia's Prime Minister, spoke on the Adzhar situation in a Rustavi 2 television live cast this afternoon. He enthusiastically thanked Russia for what he described as "tactful stance" on the matter all over the recent developments. The Premier also made a grateful reference to what Turkey and the Council of Europe were doing to settle the crisis.
"All international organisations and all countries who have whatever interests in Georgia have consolidated on the side of this country's central leadership as all realise full well that it is not a territorial, ethnic or religious conflict. Basic democratic standards must be active in Georgia-Adzharia being no exception. The community will not survive without such standards. That's what the whole thing is about," said Mr Zhvania.
The hopes of Aslan Abashidze, Adzhar leader, are thwarted- he has not received international assistance he looked forward to, the Premier emphasised.
