Prime Minister of Abkhazia Sergei Shamba explained the problem of sanatorium ‘Sokhum’ that worsened Abkhazia’s relations with Russia, to the correspondent of Kommersant Olga Allenova.
To whom belongs sanatorium ‘Sokhum’ at the moment?
It belongs to Abkhazian Republic and was rented by Ministry of Defense of Russian Federation. Ministry of Defense plans to restore the building because it’s been used for years and really needs a serious restoration.
Well, but is serious restoration a reason for firing employees?
According to us, we should move with reference to Russian legislation because according to the inter-governmental agreement about establishing Russia’s seventh military base in Abkhazia, Russian laws are in force in Russian establishments. But when the sanatoriums in Black sea region are closed for restoration, employees are not fired but they are paid one third of their salaries, so why the same thing not happening for sanatorium ‘Sokhum’? We want to learn that. We analyzed the situation and interpellated to the Ministry of Defense for examination of the situation. And the ministry appealed to the Prime Ministry of RF. At the moment we are waiting for answer of the Ministry of Defense.
So in any case you will be given an answer?
Definitely.
So what do you think people are waiting for?
I think that, in any case, Ministry of Defense should consider people’s demands, of course if it’s not against Russian legislation. People want to be sure about getting back to their jobs. They are not asking for something which is impossible and if that is proper with Russian legislation, then we support them. But if it’s not, then there will be no trials, people should have known working in a Russian establishment has positive and negative points.
But most of them worked there for their whole life
Believe us, we are on their side. And I believe that the Ministry of Defense will solve this problem. If there is a double standard in this situation, then we think that we should be on people’s side. We hope that the Ministry of Defense will find a solution soon.
So the sale of sanatorium is not in question?
No, at least I do not know.
Do you expect any disagreements with the Ministry of Defense on this matter?
No, I hope there won’t be.
It’s spoken in Abkhazia that the holiday season undermined again by Russia. Why the bridge for pedestrians on Abkhazia-Russia border was closed?
Because of refurbishment.
Just before the holiday season?
It seems so.
Can the only bridge (for cars) connecting Abkhazia and Russia can handle the traffic during the holiday season?
Of course, no. Transition capacity of the bridge lowered. This bridge will certainly become an obstacle. But I hope that we will complete train transportation to Sokhum in June. At the moment everything is almost ready.
We remember that Abkhazia had big plans about joining constructions for Olympics. Did these plans were realized?
At the moment settling construction workers in our region to Gagra is in question. For now they are inspecting our potential and sufficiency of the number of accommodation that we offer.
What about preparing inert materials for Olympic constructions? There were big plans about that too.
Yes, transportation of inert materials continued for a while, but unfortunately stopped now. Construction Company did not pay to our transporters.
Paid nothing?
Yes, people did not get their payments. They did not even pay for Belgian ship hired to transport inert materials to Sochi.
And you are not in corporation with Construction Company?
Temporarily yes, but we have hope that they will fulfill their responsibilities.
The outcome is that: you are not gaining anything from Olympic constructions and considering restoration of the bridge on the border at the beginning of the holiday season, you are even losing.
We have hope that the situation will change. We can offer the airport in Sokhum to Russia. It was already restored and ready for service.
I thought that the problem with the airport was solved last year?
Yes but it’s still not in service. Yet I think that as the time of Olympics comes closer, the airport will be needed. It’s always out of service because of fog. Lately there were times that it was out of service the whole day. During the Olympics we can not let that. It needs a helper, otherwise there will be a big problem. Our airport is open for a year. I think that this matter needs to be solved.
Will the separation of Novi Avon Monastery from the churches in Abkhazia cause a problem in Abkhazia’s relations with Russia and Russian Orthodox Church?
