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Abkhazian president calls not to give in to provocations by opposition

The president comments on the opposition's demand to postpone the referendum on early presidential elections and dismiss interior minister

Abkhazian President Raul Khadzhimba EPA/ULF MAUDER

Abkhazian President Raul Khadzhimba

© EPA/ULF MAUDER

SUKHUM, July 5. /TASS/. Abkhazian President Raul Khadzhimba on Tuesday called not to give in to provocations of the opposition whose representatives today demanded that the referendum on early presidential elections be postponed and Interior Minister Leonid Dzapshba be dismissed.

Khadzhimba said this when he went out to those who gathered in front of the presidential administration in his support, the state news agency Apsnypress reported.

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Abkhazian leader accuses opposition of trying to discredit authorities

"We should not give in to provocations, we have enough resources to solve tasks as they should be solved. Confrontation should be avoided," Khadzhimba said. "I will not cancel the referendum. It has been appointed for July 10 and will be held. There may be no other positions."

One question will be put to the July 10 referendum: "Do you consider necessary the holding of early elections of the president of the Republic of Abkhazia?" The nationwide vote has been initiated by the opposition but its representatives said preparation for the referendum will require more time.

Khadzhimba on Tuesday pledged to solve the issue with the interior minister’s resignation within a few hours, oppositionist Said Tarkil said while addressing oppositionists picketing in front of the Interior Ministry’s building in Sukhum.

"The president has asked for a couple of hours to coordinate some issues with the prosecutor general’s office. Let’s wait calmly," Sarkil said after a meeting of opposition representatives with Khadzhimba.

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"We have spoken to the president, he pledged to adopt some decision, and not within a month but today," Amtsakhara Party chairman Alkhas Kvitsinia said. "Nothing can be solved by a brawl."

Up to 1,000 people gathered Tuesday after an opposition congress in front of the Abkhazian Interior Ministry’s building demanding resignation of Interior Minister Leonid Dzapshba. Currently the ministry is hosting talks of the opposition with participation of the interior minister, Abkhazian presidential administration chief Beslan Bartsits and Defense Minister Mirab Kishmariya.

At today’s congress, the Amtsakhara Party adopted a resolution demanding to dismiss the interior minister "for deterioration of the crime situation and actions aimed at violation of the constitutional rights of citizens connected with participation in the referendum."

The opposition also adopted an address to the head of the republic with a call to postpone the referendum on early presidential elections from July 10 to the fall.

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