SUKHUM, June 09. /ITAR-TASS/. Acting president of Abkhazia Valery Bganba has appointed Avtandil Gartskiya Acting Secretary of the Security Council of Abkhazia. Astamur Tania has been appointed Acting Chief of the Administration of the acting president of Abkhazia.

Avtandil Gartskiya is a newcomer to security authorities. He is a national hero of Abkhazia and veteran of the Georgian-Abkhazian war of 1992-1993.

Astamur Tania is the former aide to the first president of Abkhazia, Vladislav Ardzinba. Until recently Tania had been working for the Vladislav Ardzinba foundation, created after Vladislav Ardzinba's death.

The predecessors of the newly appointed officials, Nugzar Ashuba and Beslan Kubrava, tendered their resignations on June 4. In a joint statement both said that "they did not think it was possible to remain in their posts under conditions of continuing pressure on top officials temporarily in office, which was fraught with a risk of new confrontation.