He reappeared in his office today, as the entire Cabinet and the government staff, after presidential hopeful Sergei Bagapsh's armed supporters lifted a many days' blockade of the republican administrative premises.
The government complex came back under official agencies' guard today on an agreement the two hopefuls-Sergei Bagapsh and Raul Khajimba-signed yesterday. Prime Minister Nodar Khashba and parliament Speaker Nugzar Ashuba were the other signatories.
Abkhaz police has also taken under guard the Abkhaz State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company premises.
The Cabinet will shortly start tackling economic problems, says Mr. Khashba. He evaluates the confrontation damage at five to six million dollars-a sizeable sum for the tiny republic.
Abkhazia will promptly make all preparations for another presidential poll. The Central Election Commission will hold session quite soon, reassured the Premier.
Abkhaz government offices cannot work properly after the blockade, with the premises ransacked. All equipment is either smashed or stolen, Tatiana Gulia, press secretary of the Abkhaz legation in Moscow, said to Novosti. She was referring to the incumbent President's aide.
The office and reception room of outgoing President Vladislav Ardzinba were the worst to suffer with the blockade. "His secretary says valuable gifts, made officially and bearing Mr. Ardzinba's name, are in smithereens. Many have been stolen. Some of these gifts are unique, and their loss is irreparable. There were, for instance, several icons [Russia's] Patriarch Alexis II had given the President."
The top prosecutor's officers are examining the premises, Miss Gulia added.
The door locks of government offices had been forced, Kachubei Chkok, in charge of Abkhaz government security, said to newsmen. Burglary traces are evident in several presidential staff offices and the arsenal. Mr. Chkok cannot specify the amount of missing weapons before the entire property has been taken stock of.
Sergei Bagapsh's public supporters agreed to leave the seized premises after he and Raul Khajimba agreed to run in tandem in a repeated presidential campaign.
