08 January 2004, 17:17
Majority of Abkhazian population do not want to take part in Georgian presidential elections
The majority of the Abkhazian population welcome the decision of the republican authorities not to take part in the Georgian presidential election. Results of a mini survey conducted in Sukhum by the Caucasian Knot correspondent is evidence of it:
Nina (Russian, teacher at the Abkhazian State University): "I object to the holding of Georgian presidential elections on the territory of Abkhazia. It is not only the matter of a subjective wish of either, one or another individual. There is no legal basis to open polling stations here."
Indira (Abkhazian, saleswoman): "Had polling stations been opened in Abkhazia, I would not have gone to vote. What relation do we bear to the election of the president of the neighboring state?"
Galina (Armenian, NGO activist): "I live in Abkhazia, I am a citizen of Abkhazia. When there will be elections of our president, I will go. Why should I elect foreign president?"
Astamur (Abkhazian, ex-combatant): "What did we fight for? What did our men died for? We are an independent state. We have no relation to the elections in Georgia."
Svetlana (Russian, pensioner): "I voted during the Russian State Duma elections, I will go to vote during the election of the Russian president as the majority of people here have dual citizenship and therefore we have a right to do it. As for the elections for the Georgian parliament and elections of the Georgian president, only citizens of Georgia have a right to vote during them."
Author: Anzhela Kuchuberiya, CK correspondent Source: Caucasian Knot
