According to Mr. Kosachyov, Russia hopes that "neither Tbilisi nor Batumi will have to take extreme measures and Georgia's territorial integrity will be retained as a result of negotiations". He stressed that Georgia's territorial integrity was very important for Georgia as well as for Russia. "Moscow is not interested in the split of Georgia into small states," the deputy specified.

The head of the Duma committee noted that contacts with Tbilisi and Adzharia were maintained currently. According to Mr. Kosachyov, it is not necessary for a Russian delegation to stay at the site of the conflict to maintain contacts.

In his turn State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov declared that he welcomed and considered all initiatives of the Russian parliament and other agencies to settle the problem in Adzharia as right. "If there are possibilities to help somehow and influence the situation they should be used," Mr. Gryzlov said speaking about today's visit of Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov to Adzharia. "The advice of the parliamentarians of our countries is simply necessary under the current situation in Georgia," he added.

The current relations between Georgian and Adzhar authorities are extremely tense. Last night several ships of the coastguard service of the Georgian border department blocked the water area of the port of Batumi and the Adzhar part of the country's sea border. Moreover, military units of the Georgian Armed Forces have been put on higher alert. Adzharia is preparing to resist intervention. People in this autonomous republic are engaged in digging trenches and making other fortifications. Several thousand armed people have gathered at the Adzhar-Georgian border. Tanks and other armored vehicles have also arrived.