Diplomatic efforts are underway to release a Georgian journalist and two others detained in Abkhazia, Davit Bakradze, the foreign minister, said on February 28.

Echoing President Saakashvili’s earlier warning about possible Georgian police intervention, the minister, however, also said that Abkhazia was part of Georgia and the authorities were entitled to undertake any measures required.

“Abkhazia is part of Georgia and the Georgian authorities have the right to undertake measures envisaged by the constitution on the entire territory of Georgia, including in Abkhazia. Of course we are trying to ensure [such measures] are not required; we are using all the diplomatic tools at our disposal to achieve the release of the detained journalist through peaceful means,” he said.