Statement by The Representatives of the Civil Society of Abkhazia

Statement

The Representatives of the Civil Society of Abkhazia

The recent actions of the Georgian leadership, as well as the statements by Georgia’s top officials, that have provided a propaganda backing to the introduction of troops into the Kodor Gorge, are a clear indication that supporters in the Georgian society of political settlement of conflicts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been left out of business. A straightforward statement by Givi Targamadze, Chairman of the Security and Defense Committee of the Georgian Parliament, in which he emphasized that the special operation in the Kodor Gorge marks the beginning of the process of restoration of the territorial integrity of Georgia, and that the Gorge is “a strategically important forepost, which is only five minutes flight from Sukhumi”, does not leave a chance to anybody to insist that there is no military threat in the region. The Georgian leadership clearly demonstrates its intention to settle the conflicts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia through the use of violence, and this is fraught with serious consequences for the whole Caucasus region..

With deep regret and concern we have to note that in their assessment of the situation and recommendations, the international institutions such as the UN, OSCE and the Council of Europe are underscoring the danger of the use of force in conflict resolution by Georgia. Some international organizations are insisting that an international police force should be deployed in the zone of conflict. They are arguably explaining the need for a police force by the fact that threats to the security of the region allegedly emanate from criminal structures rather than from the aspiration of the Georgian leadership to restore the territorial integrity of the former Soviet Republic of Georgia through violent means. The introduction into the Kodor Gorge along with police force of regular Georgian army troops as well as recent comments by leading Georgian officials lead us to believe that Georgia is not genuinely interested in engaging in the peace process.

The refusal by the Georgian leadership to discuss the Abkhaz plan for peaceful resolution “Key to the Future”, the absence of constructive proposals on the Georgian side indicate that Georgia is avoiding a serious discussion of a peaceful resolution.

Lack of adequate response from the international community to Georgia’s actions and statements in fact gives a free hand to the supporters of violent resolutions, who, under the pretext of fighting Georgian criminal elements, are in practice trying to take a military revenge.

On behalf of the civil society of the Republic of Abkhazia we are calling on the international community to give an unbiased and honest assessment to the actions of the Georgian leadership and to warn them against any attempts to use force in conflict resolution.

Liana Kvarchelia / Center for Humanitarian Programs

Manana Gurgulia / Sukhum Media Club

Arda Inal-Ipa / Center for Humanitarian Programs

Asida Shakryl / Center for Humanitarian Programs

Batal Kobakhia / Center for Humanitarian Programs

Tsiala Tskua / Center for Humanitarian programs

Nadezhda Venediktova / Magazine Civil Society

Natella Akaba / Women’s Association of Abkhazia

Bella Turtseva / Women’s Association of Abkhazia

Diana Kerselyan / Sukhum Media Club

Marietta Topchyan / Armenian Community of Abkhazia

Martha Tuzhba / Sukhum Media Club

Suren Kerselyan / Sukhum Branch of the Armenian Community of Abkhazia

Indira Bartsits / Sukhum Media Club

Tamaz Ketsba / Civic Initiative Foundation

Alkhas Tkhagushev / Association of People with Disabilities

Aslan Kutsnia / Association of People with Disabilities

Elena Kobakhia / The Sukhum Youth House

Aida Ladaria / The Sukhum Youth House

Tsiza Gumba / Foundation The National Resources

Inal Khashig / Newspaper Chegemskaya Pravda

Izida Chania / Newspaper Nuzhnaya

Announcement To The Global Public
World Abkhaz-Abazin (Abaza) People's Association, (01.02.2006)