Georgian president rules out use of force to assume control over Adjaria

Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili rules out the use of force to assume control over Adjaria. "I am not going to order troops in Adjaria and think that the use of military force is inadmissible," the president said on March 15 at the extraordinary session of the Georgian government in Poti, Western Georgia, which focused on the situation in the autonomous republic.

The Georgian president thinks the actions of the Adjarian leaders "are directed at preventing the March 28 elections for the Georgian parliament in the republic or at the total falsification of their results."

"The current leadership of Adjaria is doing everything possible to prevent extraordinary democratic elections of the local administration," Mr Saakashvili said commenting on the situation in the republic. According to him, the Adjarian authorities dispel opposition actions and arrest dissenters, in gross violation of democratic norms.

In view of the tense situation in the republic, the Georgian authorities decided to create the Crisis Centre, which would deal with the problem, said the President. It will be chaired by Georgian Premier Zurab Zhvania. "The main task of the centre will be humanitarian efforts to protect people and their rights," said Mr Saakashvili.

Editors note: See also the articles "Georgian president not allowed into Adjaria", "Georgian President presents ultimatum to Adjarian leader".