Military

DATE=3/19/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=GEORGIA/SEPARATISTS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-314280

BYLINE=PETER THACKREY

DATELINE=MOSCOW

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Georgia has lifted an economic blockade of the separatist Adzharia province, following its decision to take part in parliamentary elections. Peter Thackrey reports from Moscow.

TEXT: The week-long stand-off came to an end on Friday, when the Georgian authorities lifted the economic sanctions they had imposed on Adzharia.

The Adzharian capital's port, its banks and most border controls are all now back open for business.

The fiery Adzharian leader, Aslan Abashidze, in turn, lifted a state of emergency and curfew, which he had imposed on the region during the crisis.

The latest tensions erupted last Sunday, when Georgia's president, Mikhail Saakashvili, was refused entry to the separatist province.

Mr. Saakashvili, speaking in the Slovak capital, Bratislava, describes the events.

/// SAAKASHVILI ACT ///

When I entered the territory (on Sunday), I was told by a group of armed local militias who proclaimed that they will never let the president of Georgia in until the (March 20) parliamentary elections. So it was a crisis.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Saakashvili said he went to Adzharia after what he called "local corrupt interests" started to crack down on opposition campaigners for the elections. He said followers of the local rulers arrested opposition activists, shut down opposition newspapers and even detained Georgia's finance minister who went to Adzharia to campaign.

President Saakashvili thanked the Russian government for its help in defusing the crisis in Georgia.

A breakthrough in the crisis came in Thursday's talks between Mr. Saakashvili and the Adjarian leader, Mr. Abashidze. The two agreed that the Adzharian authorities would not interfere with the parliamentary elections next weekend. (SIGNED)

NEB/PT/MAR/TW/FC