SHEVARDNADZE WARNS ABKHAZIA, BOWS TO MOSCOW ON GEORGADZE CASE.

Addressing a Tbilisi political meeting, head of state Eduard Shevardnadze said that Georgia is prepared to resume talks on a political settlement with Abkhazia on the condition that Georgia´s territorial integrity is observed, and went on to warn: "The sole alternative is war. If it comes to war, we have a combat-ready army capable of coping with its mission." In a separate statement the same day, Shevardnadze professed disbelief that Russia would actually shelter Georgia´s former state security chief Igor Georgadze, accused of masterminding the assassination attempt against Shevardnadze and other terrorist crimes. However, Shevardnadze concluded, "special relations between Russia and Georgia are far more important than the life of one terrorist, no matter what forces may stand behind him." (14)