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Leader of parliamentary delegation describes visit to Georgia as important for deciding whether to recognize independence of Abkhazia, South Ossetia

Syarhey Maskevich, leader of a Belarusian parliamentary delegation that arrived in Georgia on November 17, described the visit as important for deciding whether or not to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"We currently study the issue," Mr. Maskevich, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, said in Tbilisi on November 18 following a meeting with David Bakradze, speaker of the Georgian parliament.

The purpose of the visit is to consider issues relating to inter-parliamentary cooperation and obtain information about the specific steps that are taken by the Georgian parliament to "normalize" the situation in the "Georgian region" and the Caucasus in general and to solve the "Caucasus problem" peacefully, Mr. Maskevich said.

"We're very much satisfied with our sincere conversation and hope that new impetus will be given to cooperation between Belarus and Georgia," he said.

The Belarusian delegation feels that although the Georgian people have gone through a stressful time and so has the state, they want to cooperate and solve all problems in a civilized fashion, Mr. Maskevich said.

"That is why we're glad that we feel this warmth of the Georgian people," he said.

Mr. Bakradze, for his part, expressed hope that Belarus would decide whether or not to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia based on the principles of international law.

The objective of Georgia in its talks with the visiting delegation is to convince Belarus' National Assembly not to recognize the sovereignty of Georgia`s breakaway provinces, Mr. Bakradze said.

"We all understand that the parliamentary delegation arrived in Georgia with a rather sensitive mission," he said. "That is why our task is to do everything to convince them that them that the Georgian side is right and that the

choice here is not between Russia and Georgia but between legality and lawlessness, international law and injustice, peace and violence. In my opinion, if they see that the Georgian side advocates international law and the principles of justice, it will be much easier for them to make a choice that Belarus will ultimately make."

Meanwhile, Russia’s newspaper Kommersant reported with reference to Vital Busko, a member of the International Affairs Committee, that Bealrus' House of Representatives would not debate the issue of recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia until at least March 2010.

The Belarusian delegation was expected to visit both Abkhazia and South Ossetia before it leaves on November 20.

The lawmakers were to hold meetings with members of the Georgian parliament, government officials and ordinary people “to study public opinion, steps by the authorities to secure normal life in the regions.”

The trip is part of the Belarusian legislature’s effort to consider the recognition of the independence of the breakaway provinces.

Earlier this month, the National Assembly formed a working group for obtaining more information on this subject and devising appropriate recommendations for the House of Representatives.

Despite receiving a recognition appeal from the parliament of South Ossetia as far back as December 1, 2008, and a similar appeal from the legislature of Abkhazia a little earlier, the House of Representatives has not yet considered them.

Mr. Lukashenka said in September 2009 that the Belarusian parliament would consider the appeals during its fall session.

Apart from Russia, Nicaragua and Venezuela are the only countries to have recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which the rest of the world still views as part of Georgia. //BelaPAN