YUFO.RU correspondent managed to talk to Adygeya president in a lobby of a conference on regional problems of development of the South of Russia that took place in Maykop under presidency of plenipotentiary Vladimir Jakovlev. Before the conference Khazret Sovmen together with the mayor of Moscow had visited Abkhazia; therefore the theme for the conversation was defined by itself - the situation developing around of this resort place that is so popular among Russians.

- Khazret Medjidovich, you one of these days together with the mayor of Moscow Jury Luzhkov have made a trip to Abkhazia. In this connection it would be desirable to hear your personal estimation of Saakashvili’s last rigid applications and situation around of Abkhazia. 

- I believe, this question should be addressed not to me, but to our plenipotentiary - Vladimir Anatolevich Jakovlev, and finally - to the President of Russia. As for my personal opinion - I am deeply convinced that Russia will manage to keep peace there. Applications of the Georgian president whatever provocative they could be are only emotional applications of young inexperienced politician. His threats have no any real ground under. It is a pure rhetoric. Crucial importance in this question belongs to the position of Russia and its president. And Russia is ready to achieve preservation of peace rigidly and consistently. So, it will be that way. 

- What would you advise our tourists who planned to have a rest in Abkhazia on the "velvet" season? How do you believe, is it necessary for them to go there now? 

- Certainly! Not simply to go - it is necessary to do their best to go to this fantastic, paradise place. During my joint visit with Jury Mihajlovich Luzhkov we could see all main natural and historical sights of this land. To tell the truth, I was there for the first time. And I have been shocked by the beauty of Abkhazia. And I thought to myself: “My God, what Sochi can be, when there is such a surprising beauty?!” Besides from the ecological point of view Abkhazia is a very safe zone. The intensity arisen there now will inevitably have calmed down, and Abkhazia will return their tourists who rested there every summer having arrived there before the war began. It occurs already. 

- What was the program of your visit? 

- Well, there was no any program! That was not an official visit, just a private trip. Jury Mihajlovich and I were invited there for a long time ago, and we visited Abkhazia with a great pleasure, looked, how people live there. 

We did not solve any political questions, so any conversations on intervention in someone’s “internal affairs” there have no any real bases under. It is a pity that the Georgian party does not have enough political maturity to abstain from similar applications. 

Interviewed by Maria Gribnikova

© 1999-2003