Selected news on Abkhazia - 14 December 2009
1 view
Skip to first unread message
Circassian World Newsletter
Dec 14, 2009, 4:44:36 AM12/14/09
to circassianwor...@googlegroups.com
Statement by President Sergei Bagapsh on his Re-election as President of the Republic of Abkhazia - Abkhaz World - 13 December 2009
“It is an honor to have been re-elected as President of the Republic of Abkhazia, and I thank the people of this country for their confidence.
This election is truly historic. It is the first Abkhazia has had since its recognition as an independent country, solidifying our sovereignty. Five candidates competed, making the election debate vigorous and providing the voters with broad choices. Most importantly, the people of Abkhazia were active—100,740 or 73 percent of those eligible cast their ballots at polling places around the country.
The election was transparent, fair, and orderly with 82 observers from 21 countries and several local NGOs monitoring the voting. News media outlets from around the world covered our election with free access to all candidates and the people of Abkhazia.
This election is truly historic. It is the first Abkhazia has had since its recognition as an independent country, solidifying our sovereignty. Five candidates competed, making the election debate vigorous and providing the voters with broad choices. Most importantly, the people of Abkhazia were active—100,740 or 73 percent of those eligible cast their ballots at polling places around the country.
The election was transparent, fair, and orderly with 82 observers from 21 countries and several local NGOs monitoring the voting. News media outlets from around the world covered our election with free access to all candidates and the people of Abkhazia.
*****
STATEMENT FROM THE MISSION OF FOREIGN (INTERNATIONAL) OBSERVERS ON OBSERVATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF ABKHAZIA - Abkhazia Gov.- 13 Dec. 2009
In all 16 observers were accredited to the Mission: from Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, the United States of America, Finland, France, Czech Republic and Switzerland. MPs of different levels, well-known political scientists and sociologists, a number of professors, experts in the field of the law and election technologies application are among them.
The presented report gives a general assessment of the election legislation in the Republic of Abkhazia and the degree of its observance during the elections.
The presented report gives a general assessment of the election legislation in the Republic of Abkhazia and the degree of its observance during the elections.
*****
President of Abkhazia Re-elected by Ellen Barry - The New York Times - 13 Dec. 2009
At a news conference on Sunday, Mr. Bagapsh said that his victory reflected a widespread desire to strengthen ties to Russia, and that recognition from the West was not so important.
“We have chosen our path, whether the European Union and United States like it or not,” he said. “Abkhazia will never again be part of Georgia.”
There is little distinction between Abkhaz and Russian interests for the moment, said Nikolai Zlobin, an analyst at the Washington-based Center for Defense Information. But the next president will play a crucial role, he added, as the Abkhaz balance a desire for foreign investment with maintaining control over their territory.
“They know that the only thing they have is land,” Mr. Zlobin said. “It’s not a big piece of land, but eventually it will be fantastically expensive. The next president will be the guy who redesigns these property rights.”
*****
Abkhaz election again pits Russia against Georgia - by Ruslan Khashig and Sergey Ponomarev - Taiwan News - 13 Dec. 2009
Abkhazia's incumbent president, Sergei Bagapsh, who is the front-runner, has since used financial and diplomatic support from Russia to shore up the region's claim to independence.
But his four challengers have significant backing, and their campaigns are likely to push the election into a runoff vote to decide the winner. All the five presidential hopefuls are opposed to reunification with Georgia and hail closer ties with Russia.
Three opposition candidates decried multiple violations throughout the province saying the number of voters in several districts surpassed the number of registered residents.
*****
Opposition candidates highlight violations in Abkhazia vote - Ria Novosti - 13 Dec. 2009
Challengers to Abkhazia's incumbent president who won Saturday's vote highlighted on Sunday widespread violations and vowed to appeal the results.
Bagapsh defeated four other candidates in the first election in Abkhazia since the former Georgian republic was recognized by Russia with 59.4% of the vote, according to preliminary results.
"We do not recognize the results and will appeal to the Central Election Commission and in court," main opposition candidate and former vice president Raul Khadzhimba, who scored 15.4% of the vote, told reporters.
He said the number of voters in the lists were in sharp contrast with the actual number of people who came to the polls.
*****
THE LATA TRAGEDY – MAY MEMORY OF INNOCENTLY KILLED CHILDREN OF ABKHAZIA LIVE FOREVER - Abkhazia Gov. 14 Dec. 2009
Abkhazia marks the 17th anniversary of the dreadful Lata tragedy.
This day, on December 14, 1992, the Georgian troops brought down a helicopter over a mountain village of Lata with refugees from Tkuarchal blocked by occupation troops.
81 people, 35 children and eight pregnant women among them were lost in a blink.
This day Abkhazia prays all killed children.
Video (CW YouTube Channel): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WwHRJdWUzw (Georgian-Abkhazian War | Shooted MI-8 Helicopter by Georgian troops)
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages