The Attempt to consolidate Democratic forces (Abkhazia – 1991-1992)

Developments in Abkhazia, anti-Constitutional and anti-Georgian processes had all contributed to the establishment of ethnic monopolism, authoritarianism and territorial partition of Georgia.  At the same time, one part of the Georgian National Movement expressed tremendous emotion, irritation and anti-Abkhazian sentiments. This was beneficial only for the common foe.  Society tried to find a way out.

In the office of the Abkhaz Writers’ Union the leaders of opposing organizations, representatives of the intelligentsia and enterprises held a meeting.  They decided to convoke a Congress to discuss the social-political environment, ways to overcome the difficulties and to consolidate democratic forces in the region.

“Round Table” demanded to give their evaluation of the December-January coup at the Congress.  Some other issues also became subjects of dispute.  Finally, compromises were found.  On April 29, the opening day of the Congress, ex-Government supporters did not show up at a pre-Congress meeting to elaborate final version of documents.  Moreover, in front of the theater the Congress delegates had been met by a large, emotional group of people (mostly ladies) blockading the entrance with banners proclaiming: “No access to killers”, “Bring back the President” etc.  This was not the first attempt to disrupt the session.  Since September 1991, the offices of the Kostava and Chavchavadze Societies had been routed many times and Georgian anti-Gamsakhurdia activists were persecuted.

Finally, the Congress got a failure.  In a joint declaration, signed by representatives of 14 organizations (Ilia Chavchavadze Society – D. Latsuzbaia; National Democratic Party – A. Jikia; Georgian Rescue Corp – B. Kakubava; Rustaveli Society – M. Pataraia; Greens’ Movement – T. Chilachava; Progressive-Democratic Union of Abkhazia – A. Lominashvili; Monarch-Conservative Party – V. Jorjikia; Merab Kostava Society – T. Sanaia; National Independence Party – Z. Naroushvili; Christian-Democratic Union – D. Rogava; Charity organization “Komagi (facilitator)” – A. Mikadze; Young Economists’ Association – T. Shengelia; Writers’ Union and Demographic Society  -  G. Kalandia, J. Janelide; Medical Association – D. Gulordava), the Congress was deemed to have been a treason of interests of the Georgian population, of democracy and for the defense of human rights.  “Now it’s crystal clear who brings disorder in Abkhazia,” stated the Declaration.  “Quite apparently the former Government of Georgia has formed an alliance with the Abkhaz separatists”.

Georgians gathered at the Subtropical Institute on May 9, 1992, at the Congress.  Representatives of the intelligentsia, cultural institutions, workers and students had all been analyzing the current situation.  The Congress produced a declaration expressing concern over separatist movements and possible inter-ethnic clashes.  The Georgians demanded an abrogation of the Electoral Law and other illegitimate acts, the disintegration of the Supreme Council and to hold an election.  The meeting also called for the consolidation of all democratic forces.

The Congress established a Council of National Unity bringing together all political and public institutions of Abkhazia, except the “Round Table”.  The list of Council members included recognized representatives of the Georgian population (G. Gvazava, D. Gulordava, J. Ezugbaia, V. Vekua, R. Tordinava, V. Kadenets, B. Kakubava, T. Kilanava, G. Kalandia, Z. Kokaia, J. Lataria, D. Latsuzbaia, A. Lominashvili, A. Maskalenko, A. Mikadze, G. Meshveliani, N. Meskhia, T. Nadareishvili, Z. Naroushvili, M. Pataraia, Z. Papaskiri, V. Zhordania, D. Rogava, T. Sanaia, V. Pruidze, T. Shengelia, O. Charkviani, T. Chilachava, Sh. Tsuleiskiri, Sh. Tskhvediani, Sh. Jorjikia, A. Jikia, K. Jachvliani, M. Jgamadze).

The Council of National Unity elected an executive board (B. Kakubava, T. Nadareishvili, M. Pataraia, G. Meshveliani, G. Gabiskiria, S. Jikia, and M. Skhulukhia).  B. Kakubava also was an official representative of the Military Council to Abkhazia.  The Council used to have open and close sessions discussing current political, social and economic problems as well as the military issues.  The Council practically declared civic disobedience to the separatist Government of Abkhazia and started establishing of equal political and governmental structures.

The first practical result of Council’s activities was the formation of a Sukhumi battalion.  Since May 19 the battalion had been accommodated in Sukhumi.   Sukhumi and Gagra “Mkhedrioni” (cavalry) also went under the Council subordination.  The Council recommended Tbilisi to appoint Commissar (Colonel Vakhtang Vekua) who immediately started to establish command structures.

Any attempt at political regulation in Abkhazia became a subject of debate.  From the point of view of some politicians, the Council encouraged political tension and speeded up the conflict.

So far, Georgian historiography could not properly evaluate Georgian-Abkhazian relations.  One thing we can say for sure, in 1992 Georgia did not have an organized government.  Politicians mostly were busy with redistribution of power.  Political organizations and individual politicians in Tbilisi were unable to view the tragic prospective of developments in Abkhazia.  At the same time, there was no political will or environment for decisive steps.

One other point should be mentioned.  All of Georgia, except Abkhazia, already lived in a different political system.  The rapid fall of the Communism system was not followed with quick changes in the mentality of the population.  Moreover, the process had not been eradicated in the entire former-Soviet region.  This gave the illusion to Ardzinba and his supporters of a possible Soviet restoration and thereby pushed Georgians to radicalism and even extremism.

On July 9, 1992, the newspaper “Republic of Abkhazia” published the Resolution of the Congress of Abkhaz Political and Public Organizations.  The signatories of the Resolution were the organizations (“Aydgylara”, “Krunk”, People’s Party, “Slavianski Dom” etc.), former members of the coalition “Soyuz” and the most faithful remnants of the Soviet Empire.  They expressed a very negative attitude to the Council of National Unity.  In response to the Resolution of the Congress, the Council announced: “Our activities are directed against the neo-totalitarian Government of the Abkhaz ASSR that isunacceptable and harmful for the entire population of Abkhazia. Inter-ethnic tension and the illusion of mass movement serve to maintain the pro-Soviet system and dictatorship.  We have to observe the problem as a conflict between old-Communist and growing democratic forces, and we likewise have to consider it an ethnic conflict.” 

Opposing documents from the Abkhaz side, which on the whole benefited the common foe, followed the resolutions and announcements of the Georgians.