Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has paid a visit to Upper Abkhazia (the Kodori Gorge) for the first time since villages there were bombed and came under artillery fire on 11 March. Saakashvili inspected the damaged buildings, including the administrative building of the government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. The president called on the local population to persevere and said that their security would be guaranteed. He also emphasized that the Georgian government would proceed with its programme for the social and economic development of the gorge at a redoubled pace.

Press Office
of the President of Georgia