INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russia-backed leader of Georgias breakaway republic of Abkhazia announced Saturday that he is ready to resign after protesters stormed the
regional parliament, opposing a financial investment deal with Russia.Protests have actually erupted in recent days in the republic over the
questionable Russian-Abkhazian financial investment contract, which if ratified by the regional parliament would offer various benefits to
Russian financiers in Abkhazia, consisting of an eight-year tax and customs task exemption
I am ready to call elections, to resign ..
Let the people say who they will support, the leader of the separatist republic Aslan Bzhania said.Bzhania stated his condition was that
the protesters who went into parliament and a presidential administration building next door must vacate the premises
Those who took over the presidential administration must leave, he said.The controversial treaty has been championed by Bzhania, who has
actually invested the previous 2 years advocating for the so-called apartments bill
It looks for to raise the regions restriction on foreign ownership of residential property, allowing Russians to acquire realty on the Black
Sea coast.The expenses initial approval by parliamentary committees stimulated a wave of protests in the area earlier this year, with
opposition arguing that Russias growing presence in the area would undermine regional control.The homes expense waseventually withdrawn
from the parliament in July.Russia on Friday encouraged its residents not to take a trip to Abkhazia, a standard vacation destination for
Russians.AFP contributed reporting.
