"That was an achievement of Abkhaz politicians themselves. They proved able to lend an attentive ear to the public opinion. They rose above their personal ambitions to get on the road of team efforts," he said while answering newsmen's questions.
"I don't want to ascribe the progress to Russia as its merit. First, much has still to be done for political settlement. Second, the say-so belongs to the population of the land it concerns-Abkhazia, in this particular instance."
President Putin acknowledged the presence of mediators in Abkhazia, Russians among them. "They are mere go-betweens," he reassured, and promised to thank Russian mediators for their work in Abkhazia.
"I hope Abkhaz political leaders will not leave the road of understandings. I hope they will work to cancel antagonisms, and to meet each other halfway. I hope they will come to compromises, and arrange their activities within the limits of those compromises," added Mr. Putin.
