Escalation in Abkhazai: Abkhazia and Georgia NGOs statements
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Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 16:49:37 +0300 (EEST)
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Subject: Escalation in Abkhazai: Abkhazia and Georgia NGOs statements
From: MINELRES mdoerator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Jonathan Cohen <[email protected]>
Escalation in Abkhazia: Abkhazia and Georgia NGOs statements
STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ABKHAZIAN NGOS
In recent days events in Abkhazia have been unfolding according to a
dramatic scenario reminiscent of the situation in August 1992.
Despite the fact that the negotiations between Georgia and Abkhazia
have been taking place over the last eight years, the peace process
has yet to become irreversible. The very fact that the "Agreement on
peace and non-resumption of military activities" between Georgia and
Abkhazia has never been signed under a number of pretexts, is yet
another example that political ambitions in Georgia prevail over
everything, even the cost of human lives. The Georgian 'party of
war', whose aggressive aims are expressed by one of the key figures in
the Shevarnadze government - the Minister for Internal Affairs
K.Targamadze - has exploited the difficult international situation to
begin a new military campaign against Abkhazia. While adding their
hypocritical voice to the world condemnation of international
terrorism, these proponents of forceful solutions to Georgian problems
at the same time encourage the sabotage and terrorist activities of
the so-called 'Georgian partisans'. Moreover, this policy of flirting
with and manipulating bandit units makes Georgia a convenient base for
international forces whose destructive actions are literally splitting
the Caucasus and who are playing into the hands of those who want to
see the Caucasus weakened and divided.
We welcome the statement by representatives of the Georgian public who
have condemned the military provocation on the territory Abkhazia and
urge the government of Georgia to punish its initiators and
supporters. We hope that this voice will be heard by Georgian
society.
We condemn the irresponsible activities of the Georgian leadership
that have brought not only Georgia and Abkhazia but also the whole of
the Caucasus to the brink of a full-scale war. We state that no use
of force, however sophisticated, will succeed in breaking the unity
and resolution of the Abkhaz people to defend their state.
Sukhum
9 October 2001
Batal Kobakhia, Center for Humanitarian Programmes
Liana Kvarchelia, Center for Humanitarian Programmes
Arda Inal-Ipa, Center for Humanitarian Programmes
Natela Akaba, Association of Women of Abkhazia
Asida Shakryil, Center for Humanitarian Programmes
Elena Kuvichko, Center for Rehabilitation, AIS
Nadexhda Venediktova, magazine "Civil Society"
Levars Butba, Association of Free Artists
Khatuna Logua, Center for Rehabilitation, AIS
Elena Kobakhia, Sukhum Youth House
Guli Kichba, Movement "Mothers of Abkhazia for Peace and Social
Justice"
Manana Gurgulia, Foundation "Civic Initiative and Man of the Future"
Diana Kereselian, Center for Humanitarian Programmes
Bella Dxhopua-Turtseva, Association of Women of Abkhazia
Ruben Migranian, Center for the Support of Democracy and Human Rights
in Abkhazia
Alkhas Tkhagushev, Center for Rehabilitation, AIS
The collection of signatures continues
------------------------
In connection with the escalation of the situation in Abkhazia
As representatives of Georgian society we resolutely condemn the armed
provocation which is taking place on the territory of Abkhazia.
Despite the fact that the first information of a large scale operation
of this kind being planned started to circulate as early as August
this year, the Georgian public still has not received coherent answers
to the main questions: who is behind this action, what they are trying
to achieve and how so many armed people have managed to assemble in
the Kodori Gorge. So far no official structures have bothered to
respond to these questions from Georgian society, which is exhausted
from stress.
The recent meeting between E. Shevarnadze and A. Djergenia and the
statements which followed at first appeared to give hope that the
worst would not happen: further blood would not be spilt. However, now
that blood has been spilt the assurances of the authorities, which
have at once decided to wash their hands of any responsibility for the
events, sound particularly cynical.
We demand that the Georgian government should at last provide concrete
answers to the above questions and should punish all those who have
allowed these criminal events to occur, as well as take precautionary
measures in order to prevent further bloodshed.
We urge the parties in the conflict to continue with the negotiating
process.
We support the intentions of the UN Mission in Georgia to tighten its
control over the situation and to start regular patrolling in the
Kodori Gorge.
Once more we categorically state that involving the Chechens in the
Georgian-Abkhaz conflict will lead to further tragedies for the
Chechen people and aggravate a Caucasus wide crisis.
Tbilisi
5 October 2001
Ghia Nodia, Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development
Naira Gelashvili, Caucasian House
Georgii Anchabadze, professor
Nino Durglishvili, Tbilisi State University
Marina Pagava, IDP NGO "Help Yourself"
Anna Abramashvili, Caucasian House
Marina Elbakidze, Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and
Development
Paata Zakareishvili, Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and
Development
Emil Adelkhanov, Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and
Development
Mikheil Mirziashvili, Studio Re
Tamara Shamil, Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and
Development
Tinatin Tkeshelashvili, Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and
Development
Mikhail Beroshvili, Caucasian House
Marat Baratashvili, Foundation of Georgian Repatriates
David Berdzensihvili
Nodar Sarjveladze, Foundation for the Development of Human Resources
David Darchiashvili, Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and
Development
Paata Gurgenidze, Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and
Development
Julia Kharashvili, IDP Womens Association
Jana Javakhishvili, Foundation for the Development of Human Resources
Vladimir Dobordxhginidze "Molodini"
The collection of signatures continues
--
Jonathan Cohen
Concilation Resources
173 Upper Street
London N1 1ZJ
Tel: 44 (0)20 7359 7728
Fax: 44 (0)20 7359 4081
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.c-r.org
--
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