Georgian parliament to look into Adjarian problem

The new Georgian parliament intends to start its work by adopting a special statement on the situation in Adjaria, Georgia's only autonomy, which, unlike Abkhazia and South Osetia, still remains part of the country.

"I cannot say whether the document will state the need to organize early elections to the Adjarian Supreme Council, but it will express the parliament's position concerning the need to return Adjaria in Georgia's constitutional field," the parliament's chairman Nino Burdjanadze said when speaking live on the Rustavi 2 TV channel.

"Despite repeated efforts, deputies have failed to receive the official text of the constitution of the Adjarian autonomy," she pointed out.

"I have not seen the constitution of Adjaria and I do not know whether its leader is commander-in-chief [of the autonomy's armed forces]. But I know very well that the country should have only one commander-in-chief - its president," Ms Burdjanadze said.

The date of the parliament's first session has not been fixed yet. According to Nino Burdjanadze, it will sit on April 22 or 23.

Ms Burdjanadze will be nominated the parliament's speaker upon the decision of the ruling National Movement - Democrats party, which has a majority in the parliament.

Thus, all preliminary agreements of the "revolutionary triumvirate" of Mikhail Saakashvili, Zurab Zhvania and Nino Burdjanadze on redistribution of power have been fulfilled. In compliance with these agreements, Saakashvili has become president, Zhvania has become prime minister, and Burdjanadze will be nominated the parliament's speaker. To be appointed she needs to receive 118 votes. The ruling party has over 150 seats in the Georgian parliament.