SUKHUMI. Jan 28 (Interfax-AVN) - President of the self- proclaimed republic of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba has confirmed an openness to dialogue with Georgia, but expressed concerns about certain recent remarks made by the Georgian leadership.
"Abkhazia is interested in continuing the negotiating process and is prepared for a constructive dialogue with Georgia on resolving problems engendered by the conflict," reads a statement by Ardzinba obtained by Interfax on Wednesday.
"At the same time, we have enough means, forces, and resolve to protect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the republic of Abkhazia," he said.
"Against the background of the recent change of power in Georgia, officials from the Georgian leadership have repeatedly made statements casting doubts on Tbilisi's commitment to a peaceful political settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict and its international legal obligations," Ardzinba said.
"Despite this position of Tbilisi, a number of countries, first of all the U.S., are providing Georgia with large-scale military assistance, supplying it with armaments and hardware and training Georgian military units," he said.
"The states providing military aid to Georgia are responsible for the growing aggressive attitudes among Georgia's authorities," he said.
"We appeal to the UN, the Russian Federation and the UN Secretary General's Group of Friends to use all their influence to put an end to Georgia's statements and actions that are undermining the peace process," he said.