21.11.2005 15:10 MSK
Georgia discusses possibility of seceding from CIS
GEORGIA, Tbilisi. The debate about Georgia’s possible secession from the CIS renewed in Tbilisi after the Russian Embassy in Georgia had refused a visa to Georgian MP Ghivi Targamadze who was to take part in the session of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in St.-Petersburg. The issue of the country’s possible secession from the Commonwealth has been widely discussed by members of ruling majority and opposition alike.

Speaking on the current situation, Chairman of Parliamentary Committee for External Relations, Kote Gabashvili, who was also to attend the CIS Assembly in St.-Petersburg, told journalists that he didn’t consider it appropriate at this stage to raise the issue of Georgia’s secession from the CIS. "This issue would be of more significance if Georgian Parliament were to address the need for the presence of Russian peacekeeping force in the conflict zones of Georgia. At this stage the secession from the CIS may lead to total disruption of the peace-building process within these zones," Gabashvili believes.

One of the leaders of the Republican Party, Levan Berdzenishvili, said that he was glad that Georgian Parliament Speaker, Nino Burdzhanadze, said in her statement today that "the CIS has become an annex of Russia". "Without doubt, the CIS is and will be an annex of Russia," said Berdzenishvili pointing out that "Russia uses double standards in relation to Georgia, operating within the Commonwealth sometimes as a partner and sometimes as an enemy. This will continue while Georgia remains member of the CIS," Berdzenishvili believes.

"The question of continuing her membership of the CIS is not a matter of principle for Georgia as this entity brings no real benefit," said Georgian Parliament Speaker Nino Burdzhanadze speaking live on air for Roustavi-2 TV company on 18 November.

Translated by Olga Sharp
PRIMA-News Agency [2005-11-18-George-16]
http://www.prima-news.ru/eng/news/news/2005/11/21/34054.html