Archive
file of the Legal Government
Russian
military command in Abkhazia continues barbarian bombing of
residential districts of Sukhumi
Russian military command in
Abkhazia continues barbarian bombing of residential districts of
Sukhumi, peaceful population is exterminated. This is the result
of the obvious collusion with the criminal regime of Shevardnadze,
which wants to draw away people's attention from the catastrophic
political and economic situation, which threatens to it's very
existence. The next
wide-scaled bombings of Sukhumi by Russian military aircraft has
happened on February 20-th. This coincides with the
intensification of political fight for power between various
parties in Tbilissi. The pretext of bombing was the next
provocative cannonade by the forces of junta in direction of the
military seismological laboratory of Russian troops in Eshera,
near Sukhumi. It is
symptomatic that Russian aircraft are not bombing military
positions of junta, but peaceful population, among which there are
numerous victims. The aim of these bloody actions is to retain Shevardnadze
in power, paralyze protest movement against his inhuman regime,
which threatens every day by television to the population, that in
the case of any peaceful action of protest, meeting or
demonstration, there will be bloody reprisals from the official
authorities. Russian
television "Ostankino" widespread disinformation, as if
Sukhumi is bombed by the aircrafts of the Confederation of
mountain peoples, which has no aviation at all, as it is known.
This is an attempt of sharpening initial relations between
Georgian and Chechen people and other peoples of North Caucasus. I appeal world community of Nations, UN, all
international organizations to denounce felonious alliance between
the junta of Shevardnadze and reactionary forces in Russian
government, the victim of which are Georgian and Abkhazian
peoples, whole population of Georgia. I appeal to send special
commissions of UN to Sukhumi and Tbilisi, otherwise new escalation
of the general Caucasian war can be expected. An Appeal To The World Community, Un,
All International Organizations,
To All Men Of Good Will
President of the Republic of Georgia in exile Zviad Gamsakhurdia 22 February, 1993
The State
department's report about the former Soviet Republic of Georgia
(January 19, 1993) contains unobjective information
The State department's report about
the former Soviet Republic of Georgia (January 19, 1993) contains
unobjective information about supporters of President Gamsakhurdia,
so called "Zviadists". This term was invented by
so called "State Council" or junta, which was formed in
Georgia after the military coup and violent takeover in January
1992. All citizens, who were speaking about legality, respect of
legally elected Parliament and President, about the respect of
Human Rights, Law and Constitution, and condemned violence and
terror of junta, were named "Zviadists". Consequently
they were predestined for repressions executions and exiles.
Considering the fact, that in Georgia 87% of population voted for
President Gamsakhurdia, most part of population can be
named "Zviadists". But the self-proclaimed groups and
persons, who committed subversive acts and kidnappings, have
nothing common with the legal authorities and the true supporters
of President, who condemns systematically all violent acts, which
were committed in Georgia, sometimes using his name. In his
statements, appeals and interviews President repeats
systematically, that he acknowledges only methods of political
fight, civil disobedience to the junta, demonstrations , meetings,
strikes and not subversive or terrorist acts, not armed violence.
Guerrilla war against the marauders and looters of junta in
western Georgia is only the self defense of population from
chastisers and criminals of "Mkhedrioni", "National
Guard" etc., who committed atrocities, abuses of Human
Rights, robberies, murders of peaceful population. In his statement of 29 of August, 1992,
President of Georgia in exile underlined, that he has nothing
common with guerrillas in the West Georgia, including Abkhazia,
and these guerrillas never coordinate their actions with him.
Sometimes among guerrillas act provocateurs of junta and KGB, as
it was, for instance, in the case of kidnapping of
"vice-premier" A.Kavsadze and 11 high officials
of junta police in summer 1992. In his interviews to the radio "Liberty" in
December 1992 and February 1993 President Gamsakhurdia
stated, that he has nothing common with armed groups in Georgia,
and he recognizes only peaceful methods in fight against the
illegal authorities of Georgia, for avoiding further bloodshed.
Despite of this, junta spreads disinformation in the world about
"terrorism" of the President and his attempts of violent
overthrow of existing illegal government, which came to power by
coup and illegal, falsified communist "elections". Recently Washington was visited by one of
the leader of Georgian communist mafia, "deputy" of
nomenclatura parliament, painter Zurab Tsereteli. This
former member of central committee of Georgian CP is one of the
creators and financiers of "Mkhedrioni", odious
paramilitary criminal army, about which in USA recently there were
demonstrated a video-film of well-known Canadian film-director Christopher
Vennar - "Shevardnadze Uncovered". There is a great
danger, that Tsereteli, having acquaintances among high
officials of USA, who are not acquainted with his occupations ,
can misinform them about real situation in Georgia. We want to
warn American officials not to trust such sources in the gathering
of the information about Georgia. In the above mentioned report there was very little
information about "Mkhedrioni" and it's leader Dshaba
Joseliani (four times convicted for various crimes in the
past), who is now a deputy of Shevardnadze and whose
criminal activity is one of the main reason of criminal anarchy,
terror and destabilization in contemporary Georgia. There is no
information about the crackdowns and violence in Western Georgia,
burning and plundering of it's towns and villages, robberies,
rapes, kidnappings, committed by the members of
"Mkhedrioni", there is no information about military
crimes against peaceful population, using of chemical weapons,
bombings, mass terror, suffering of thousands of refugees, illegal
"military courts", created without legislative and
constitutional basis, which are the instruments of extrajuridical
death punishment, like Stalin's "troika's" of 1937.
Recent "elections" in Georgia are named in report
"democratic". At the same time many international and
local observers have documented materials about the undemocratic
election law, violations of democracy during elections,
terrorizing of voters and falsification of results. Now it is
obvious, that Shevardnadze has usurped power, by creating
after "elections" unprecedented law about "State
Power System", according to which all legislative and
executive power belongs to one person (such laws were not invented
even in Stalin's USSR or Mao Tse Tung's China). In report there is mentioned only one
political prisoner, Zaza Tsiklauri, who is the victim of
the torture and abuse. There
are many such prisoners in Shevardnadze's jails and they need
immediate attention and help of the worlds Human Rights
organizations and world publicity. Considering, that the above mentioned report belongs to
the President Bush's administration, it is quite natural, that
information is insufficient and one-sided. We hope, that the new
administration will show more interest towards more detailed
studying of the alarming situation in Georgia, rudest violation of
Human Rights and mass terror, civil war and destabilization, what
threatens seriously the peace and stability in the whole region.
In the case of preparing of a new report by new administration, we
are ready for all kinds of assistance. We ask you to inform
President Clinton about our letter. Respectfully, To the Secretary of State of USA
Mr. Warren Christopher Merab Kiknadze - member of the Helsinki Union of Georgia,
temporary Speaker of the
Parliament of Georgia in exile,
Tengiz Chachava, Tariel Gelantia - MP in exile February 20th, 1993
The Helsinki
commission hearings on the Caucasus, March 8th 1993
On March 8th 1993, took place the
Helsinki commission hearings on the Caucasus. Regretfully, the
only witness on Georgia was Mr. Paul Henze, whose report shows,
that he is not competent in Georgian affairs, and contains very
tendentious and one sided information about Georgia and is
influenced by the officials from Shevardnadze's team, who are sent
now in USA for disinformation of Congress and Administration (T.Dshaparidze,
G.Charkviani and Z.Kandelaki). Namely, they insist, that Shevardnadze
is in conflict with Russia, Because of "hard-liners"
hate him, because of breakup of Soviet Union, and they are
interfering in the conflict in Georgia (Abkhazia and Ossetia) to
cause troubles for Shevardnadze. But after the more deep
analysis of true situation, it is clear, that this
"conflict" is a mere fraud, for deception of the west
and Georgian people itself, for strengthening positions of Shevardnadze
inside of Georgia and growing sympathies to him as
"victim" and remaining him in power, because he is the
most trusted person for the Russian foreign intelligence service
(KGB) and GRU (central military investigation service) and their
main resident in Caucasus. The
head of Russia's contemporary foreign intelligence service Primakov
(one of the main hard-liners) is the closest ally of Shevardnadze,
who is fulfilling in Georgia his tasks and orders. Their main aim
is to retain in Georgia pro-Russian government, Russian troops and
it's remaining in so called "rouble zone". Seeming
conflict between Shevardnadze and Russia conceal that
purpose. It is an attempt also to make quiet Georgian nationalist
opposition, which blames Shevardnadze for treason and
giving up territories of Georgia: Samachablo ("South
Ossetia") and part of Abkhazia (regions of Gudauta and
Gagra). By that reason makes he seeming protests against the
Russian defense minister P.Grachev. This is the same trick,
as a seeming "conflict" between Gorbachev and Moscow
"hard-liner putchists" in August 1991, which west could
not understand and the main aim of which was saving of Gorbachev's
power and Soviet Union itself. Shevardnadze was seen as "salvation" not by
Georgian people, but by above-mentioned services, as
collaborationist, because in the period of President Gamsakhurdia,
Russian hard-liners complained, that Russia had "lost"
Georgia and even Caucasus. Gamsakhurdia was
"disappointment" not for Georgia but for the Kremlin.
The "conflict" between Eltsin and Shevardnadze
is also not true, because Eltsin's government gave him great
amount of arms and credits in size of 40 billion roubles. Shevardnadze
secretly helps Russia to retain Abkhazia, Samachablo and Adjaria,
but officially he protests against Russian imperialism. Mr. Paul Henze confesses, that Shevardnadze
"is not in control of the situation in Georgia" and
admits at the same time, that "he has made progress".
What is that progress? After Shevardnadze's return civil war in
Georgia is only straightened and widened, he began true war in
Samachablo and Abkhazia, which continues up to this day and
threatens by destabilization of the whole Caucasian region. Mr. P.Henze states that there is no
evidence to suggest that Georgian attack on Abkhazia took place
with Shevardnadze's approval. That is the scandalous ignorance
about true history of Abkhazian war from the person who is trusted
by American Congress to deliver a report about such important
political affairs. That proves that Mr. Henze knows nothing
about the Shevardnadze's statements, made by Georgian television
and press, that Abkhazian war was initiated personally by him and
nobody else. Nevertheless,
Mr. Henze states that "civilian authority in Georgia
is collapsed". It is true, but this authority was collapsed
after the bloody coup d'etat of January 6th 1992, inspired by Shevardnadze
himself from Moscow, together with Kremlin and never can be
restored until the restoration in Georgia constitutional elected
Parliament and President, which were banned from Georgia by
violence. Concerning
Abkhazian war, Shevardnadze has stated by television, that
this war began in concordance and coordination with Kremlin
authorities. Russia wanted to have pretext of strengthening its
political and military influence in Abkhazia and control over the
Black Sea, which it considers as the most important for it's
geopolitical interests. Besides, Shevardnadze began
Abkhazian war for gaining a reputation of "nationalist",
fighter for "territorial integrity" of Georgia, that was
necessary for victory before the forthcoming illegal,
anti-constitutional "elections", for withdrawing
people's attention from the catastrophic economic situation and
criminal anarchy. Mr. Henze
suggests, that "Shevardnadze is trying to establish a regular
army under his authority". We want to remind him that Georgia
has no regular army, the country is divided on the spheres of
influence between paramilitary criminal groups, major of them are
private armies of Kitovani (twice convicted in the past)
and Joseliani (four times convicted for murder, robbery,
etc.), so called "Mkhedrioni". Shevardnadze is an
ally and hostage of these criminals and tries to gain their
support for survival. Both these criminals are also agents of
Russian intelligence service. Everybody must know, that they are
the real rulers of contemporary Georgia. It is amazable, that in the report,
delivered to the Helsinki Commission, nothing is said about the
fulfilling of the demands of the Conclusion Act of the Helsinki
Agreement, about the gross violations of human rights by Shevardnadze
and company to maintain power, about political prisoners, about
terror, about the massacres in Tbilisi and western Georgia, about
the lack of legitimacy of authority, about the revival of
nomenclatura, communist mafia and "telephone law", about
dangerous alliance of Shevardnadze with Iran, and many
other serious problems, which threaten to the world peace and
stability. To be brief, in
conclusion, we want to inform world Community of Nations about
following: If legitimate government and peace will not be returned
to Georgia, there is a risk of more wide civil war and
destabilization with more serious implications and results. The
only escape from the crisis is saying the full truth and
international condemning Shevardnadze's regime, like regimes of
Haiti and Cuba, ceasing with it diplomatic relations and expelling
it from the UN and CSCE, and supporting of restoration of
constitutional government and order in Georgia. If United States Congress is seriously
interested in the true information about Georgia, we are ready to
help you in obtaining it. If there will be more detailed and well
prepared hearings, the representatives of legal Parliament and
Government of Georgia in exile must take part in it. Without this
United States Congress and Administration will not have right
conception about the true situation in Georgia Respectfully
To Honorable senator deconcini and representative Hoyer
Co-chairmen of the Commission of Security and Cooperation in
Europe
United States Congress
G.Gulbani, M.Kiknadze, T.Chachava - MP of Georgia in exile
14th of March, 1993.
Great punitive
operation in Megrelia "to give good lesson at last"
to it's population
Criminal junta of Shevardnadze,
waging war against it's own people, is threatening to the
population of western Georgia with a new genocide. On March
12-13th, two heads of junta, criminals Kitovani and Joseliani,
whose hands are stained with the blood of the fellow-citizens,
spoke by the television of Georgia and announced, that they begin
great punitive operation in Megrelia "to give good lesson
at last" to it's population (As it is known last year
they have organized several crackdowns in that region). The main
reason is civil disobedience, announced by the population to the
bloody regime, refusal of taking part in the war against
Abkhasians. I appeal to the
world community of nations, to all men of good will defend
Megrelia from the chastisers of junta to avoid new tragedy, which
can lead to the wide scale civil war in the whole Caucasus. An Appeal To The World Community Of Nations
Zviad Gamsakhurdia
President of the Republic of Georgia in exile
March 14th, 1993.
The report
of an International Alert mission "Georgia On The Path Of
Democracy And The Abkhaz Issue" causes serious alert.
The report of an
International Alert mission "GEORGIA ON THE PATH OF DEMOCRACY
AND THE ABKHAZ ISSUE" causes serious alert. What is this,
conscious disinformation and hiding of the truth, or involuntary
errors of inexperienced authors under the influence of the
representatives of criminal regime of Shevardnadze? We'll
try to answer these questions. The fact is, that writing about "democratic
development" in Shevardnadze's Georgia authors take no heed
about the violent coup and takeover against the legal
constitutional government, about civil war caused by it, about
junta's terror and repressions with thousands of victims, about
the executions of peaceful manifestations, about the closed free
newspapers, television and radio, monopolized by junta. nothing is
said about the illegal, anti constitutional "elections"
under the control of gunmen, about rude violations of all laws of
election practice, about which many international observers (from
UK, Finland, USA) have given objective and honest reports. But the authors are not interested in such
objective information, nor in the rich materials of international
press, which reveal the true face of Shevardnadze's
criminal-terrorist regime, after establishing of which in Georgia
disappeared all signs of democracy. The only source for them are
officials of Shevardnadze's "government", former members
of CP and KGB, and collaborationists, who serve them, who
naturally would hide their own crimes and distort the picture of
the true situation in Georgia. Authors were not interested also in
the opinion of the representatives of the legal government and
Parliament in exile and in Georgia itself, common, unprejudiced
citizens, and therefore have received mostly one sided and false
information. It is not
surprising, that after this authors couldn't receive clear
conception about the situation in Georgia, nor understanding of
the true reasons of "Georgian-Abkhazian" conflict. Authors are repeating lies of Soviet
propaganda, saying that "most Georgians maintain, that both Gamsakhurdia
and some of his opponents needlessly exacerbated the Abkhaz
problem". Who are these "most Georgians"? Did
authors interviewed most of Georgian people and know their
opinion? Or probably they think that communist criminals and KGB
officials of Shevardnadze's junta mirror the opinion of majority
of Georgian people? Thus they hide from the world, that during the
whole period of President Gamsakhurdia's power (November 1990 -
January 1992) there were no conflicts between Georgians and
Abkhazians and even dissatisfaction on behalf of Abkhazian leaders
by the state policy of Georgia towards this national minority. The
reason was peaceful way of dialogue, by which Gamsakhurdia's
government always preferred to solve Abkhazian problems, so the
communist provocateurs could not provoke bloodshed, as in so
called "south Ossetia". First bloody conflict between
Georgians and Abkhazians, enflamed by Kremlin agents in soviet
period (July 15th, 1989) soon was forgotten by both sides, and
people were living peacefully enjoying democratic freedoms and
economic stability, until the bloody coup d'etat, inspired and
organized by Moscow and it's emissary, Eduard Shevardnadze,
happened in Georgia. This
coup d'etat and introducing of the rule of criminals in Georgia,
rule of terror and anarchy is direct and immediate reason of
Abkhazian war. It is
well-known fact, that after the violent takeover, the so called
"military council" or junta, which usurped state power,
had abolished Georgian constitution of 1978, reformed in
Gamsakhurdia's period, where Abkhazian autonomy was fixed. Junta
"restored" first constitution of 1921, where no
autonomies are mentioned. That caused alarm of Abkhazian leaders,
who maintained, that junta was threatening to their statehood and
national identity, and Abkhazian deputies, of course under the
influence of Moscow's reactionary circles, restored old Abkhazian
constitution of 1925, without consent of Georgian deputies. This
decision was made without necessary two third majority of votes,
and therefore it has no juridical force. President Gamsakhurdia sent them a
protest for that and he blames them for this decision up to this
day. Abkhazian Parliament maintained, that since in Georgia exists
no more constitution and legal Parliament and Government, they are
free in taking any resolution for safeguarding their people and
statehood. They don't recognize junta as legal power of Georgia. But discontent by the constitutional
decision of Abkhazian Parliament was only the pretext for invasion
in Abkhazia. The main reason was the plan of junta to subjugate
whole western Georgia, including Abkhazia and Megrelia, population
of which is true to the legal President and Parliament (as in the
rest of Georgia) and shows total disobedience to the illegal
criminal regime. For establishing it's totalitarian rule in these
regions, for extermination of President's supporters, this war was
began by junta. Before the war population of Abkhazia enjoyed full
political freedom, free press, free demonstrations and meetings in
support of President, what caused fury of the junta leaders.
Criminal leader of junta, four times convicted burglar Jaba
Joseliani several times threatened population of Megrelia and
Abkhazia, that he will make a total genocide of them (more then
1.5 million population). He and another criminal leader Kitovani
launched several bloody punitive expeditions in Megrelia,
committing there massacres, plunders, looting and vandalism,
destroying towns and villages, and at last after receiving
permission from Shevardnadze, they began invasion into the
"richest" region of Abkhazia. Authors of report try to hide
Shevardnadze's personal guilt in enflaming Abkhazian war, who,
according to their version, is gradually neutralizing
irresponsible adventurers Kitovani and Joseliani.
This disinformation was repeated by Mr. Paul Henze in his
report which he has delivered in American Congress about Georgia
in March 1993. On the contrary, Shevardnadze spoke by
national television on the second day after the invasion and
announced, that this "operation" is his own initiative
and it is even coordinated with Kremlin. One of the criminal
leaders, G.Karkarashvili stated by television, that he will
exterminate all 97 thousand Abkhazians and sacrifice 100 thousand
Georgians for that purpose. Shevardnadze, instead of
blaming him, encouraged him and to day appointed him as a defense
minister, instead of Kitovani. According to the version of junta, one of the main
reasons of invasion was kidnapping of 11 high officials of junta
by "Gamsakhurdia supporters". But later it has been
revealed, that leader of the guerrillas, who kidnapped these
officials, was the agent of junta and the aim of this provocation
was deception of public opinion and creating pretext for invasion
in Abkhazia. In fact, the kidnapped officials were not detained on
the territory of Abkhazia, but in Megrelia, and they soon had been
released. For the attention
of those who want to study situation in Abkhazia and investigate
reasons and obstacles of "Georgian-Abkhazian" conflict,
we must say, that it is impossible without making clear conception
about Megrelia, which is neighboring Abkhazia and is most
significant region of Georgia from political, economic and
strategic point of view. Without understanding of political
situation in Megrelia, nobody can understand situation in
Abkhazia, so these both problems must be studied together. Clue
for solving of Abkhazian problem lies in Megrelia, because
Georgian population of Abkhazia (250 thousand) in it's great
majority consist of Megrels, 90% of which are supporters of
President Gamsakhurdia, as well as the whole population of
Western Georgia and great majority of Eastern Georgia. Without
understanding the significance of this fact nobody can find out
right way in bringing peace to this region, what is possible only
through restoring in their rights legal President and Parliament
in Georgia. Without this, anarchy and reign of criminal bands will
continue and therefore Abkhazian war will never end, because it is
the main factor of retaining power and boot for all criminal
"leaders". It must
be known, that Abkhazian war was necessary for Shevardnadze
for following reasons. He aimed first of all on creating ethnical
conflict between Abkhazians and Megrelians and involving
population of Megrelia into this war, thus two most fierce enemies
of Shevardnadze: Megrelians and Abkhazians would be in
permanent war and kill each other, what would give him better
chances for establishing his dictatorship in Megrelia and
Abkhazia, politically defeating President's supporters in both
regions, turning great part of population to refugees and creating
good situation for his marauding bands in that parts of Western
Georgia. Reactionary forces of Russia also had interest in this,
for strengthening their control over Abkhazia and Black Sea shore,
which is very important from strategic point of view and as best
resort zone and gave Russia good perspective in joining Abkhazia
to Russia. By that reason units of Russian army, Cossacks and
North Caucasians are involved in conflict, thus turning Caucasus
into another Yugoslavia. Abkhazian
adventure was also very useful for creating Shevardnadze's image
of "nationalist" and "patriot" before
forthcoming elections, person, who fights for retaining
territorial integrity of Georgia. Those Abkhazians who declare,
that "Abkhazia is Russia", help him in that purpose. But population of Megrelia refused taking
part in this war, because it supports policy of President Gamsakhurdia,
which is based on peaceful solving of Abkhazian conflict,
negotiations and dialogue. Despite
of everything aforesaid, it must be noted that report
contains some fair and true estimations. It is right that
"Georgian military forces lack the most elementary routines
and procedure for enforcing troop discipline, the use and
safeguarding weapons and rational conduct of military
operations... Georgia is represented in the battle area by a
variety of separate mini-armies and armed supporters of various
political movements. There is no unified training system, no
single effective command center, no hierarchical command
structure, and in most cases no designation of rank of authority.
Some units "elect" their leaders and decide on their
targets by common consent" (p.8). The main reason of this is following: Shevardnadze's
Georgia has no "military forces" nor national army.
There are two major paramilitary bands, private "armies"
of Kitovani--Karkarashvili and Joseliani
("National guard" and "Mkhedrioni") which
consist basically from criminals, set free by junta from Georgian
prisons after the coup d'etat and banning President Gamsakhurdia
(about 5 thousand). There are also young inexperienced drafters
and remains of former national guard perjurers, looters and drug
addicts, which betrayed their oath of allegiance before the people
and President and began war against him together with putchists,
supported by Moscow. There
are also number of minor bands "White Eagle",
"Golden Eagle", "Panther",
"Patriot", band of V.Adamia (so call
"Kostava society"), "Society of Tbilisi
residents", "Brotherhood of Sviri" (town
Zestaphoni), "Band of Khosia and Shedania" and
"Motsameta" in Kutaisi, "Mkhedrioni of
Kakhetia" (led by G.Goderdzishvili), "Fighters
against terrorism" (controlled by so called "National
democratic party" of G.Chanturia), band of
"Traditionalists" (A.Asatiani),
"Monarchists" (T.Shorsholiani) and many others.
Leaders of all these bands have their own sphere of their
influence, as in territorial sense so in economic sense,
controlling and robbing various spheres of economy: oil, tobacco
and vine industry, hospitals, medicaments, drugs, small commercial
shops, corn, bread and especially humanitarian aid. Mafia clans
are financing them, vouchsafing defense and support from their
side. They are totally uncontrollable by Shevardnadze, who
is supported only by the part of common police, transport police
infiltrated by "Mkhedrioni", Security service and part
of hired Russian troops ("spetznaz"). Kitovani--Karkarashvili band is
controlling the so called "Defense ministry" and
consider it as their domain and property. Recently
"removing" Kitovani after the demand of
"Parliament", Shevardnadze was forced by Kitovani
to appoint Karkarashvili as defense minister and could not
appoint his own candidate K.Gabashvili. They forced also
"Parliament", under the treat of guns, to appoint Sigua
a prime-minister last year on November 8th. The so called "Interior ministry"
is totally monopolized by Joseliani, who appointed as a
minister his friend, convicted criminal T.Khachishvili. All members of above mentioned bands can
commit any crime, murder, robbery, looting, kidnapping, arbitrary
arrests, tortures, explosions, diversions, sabotage etc., without
fear of any responsibility or punishment. Procurator's office,
Interior ministry and "Security service" of Batiashvili
fight only against political opponents of regime, arresting and
torturing them, not against criminals, who are in fact real
authorities in Shevardnadze's Georgia. They have also main
interest in prolonging war in Abkhazia, where they send their
looters and plunderers constantly. Assertions of the authors of the report, that
"Shevardnadze knew he was taking on formidable challenge to
gain control over amateur freebooter military commanders such as Kitovani
and Joseliani and their followers when he returned to
Georgia in 1992", are misleading. The fact is that these
bands banned legal President, Prime Minister and Parliament and
invited Shevardnadze, whom they needed as a screen before
the eyes of world's public opinion for better masking themselves
and continuing robbery, terror and criminal anarchy. It is evident
fact, that his power is based upon them, creating illusion, that
he is building "democracy" in Georgia and gain control
over them. In fact they have more control over Shevardnadze,
who is their puppet and fulfills their will. As the popular saying
goes today in Georgia, he is a mere "fig-leaf" on a
formidable criminal mafia, which is ruling Georgia today. After all this, it is regretful fact, that
"Shevardnadze has additional advantage of high international
standing" and this is main hindrance for the West on the way
of true understanding the situation in Georgia. In what do authors see Shevardnadze's
"commitment to create a working democratic system"?
Perhaps in false, unfair, communist elections? In revival of rule
of communist nomenclatura and mafia? In mass terror and
repressions against political opponents? In closure of the free
newspapers? In monopolizing electronic mass media? In creating
illegal bodies for extrajuridical executions such as
"troikas" and military courts? Concerning "popular support" of Shevardnadze
we can inform you about following. Recently newspaper
"Iberia-Spectrum" published an appeal of 106 scientists
of Tbilisi University to Mr. Shevardnadze demanding his
immediate resign, because he is incapable of controlling situation
in Georgia, stopping economic catastrophe, moral decay, growth of
criminality and total chaos. Subscriptions continue. Newspaper cites Shevardnadze's statement on
the session of "Parliament" - "We are not ready to
rule this state, this country" ("Iberia-Spectrum",
27 April, 1993). In Georgia various groups of population continue
gathering of thousands of subscriptions, demanding Shevardnadze's
resign. On 9th of April, the day of restoring of Independence, in
Tbilisi more than 100 thousand citizens demonstrated demanding
Shevardnadze's resign. In subsequent days, namely on April 14th
and 28th such demonstrations were dispersed with utmost cruelty. But about all this we shall write in a
special paper, as well as about the situation in so called
"South Ossetia", about which authors are repeating
disinformation of Moscow propaganda, that "South Ossetian
autonomy was abolished by President Gamsakhurdia". In
reality this autonomy was abolished long before the electing Z.Gamsakhurdia
as President. It was done by so called Supreme Soviet of
"South Ossetia" itself which proclaimed
"Independent Republic of South Ossetia" in December
1991. Supreme Council of Georgia only constatated that fact at the
same time by issuing a special decree about abolishing South
Ossetian autonomy. Strife in Ossetian Diaspora in Samachablo (so
called "South Ossetia") began long before and was
inspired by Ossetian communist extremists and separatists,
inspired by Kremlin. The result was total exodus of Georgian
population from that region, numerous victims and refuges. Under the pressure of world's public opinion
Shevardnadze recently had negotiations with as
aforementioned discredited "freabooting" commanders and
recently achieved agreement with them to be "removed"
from their places (Kitovani from the post of minister of
defense and Joseliani - deputy of Shevardnadze in
"security council" or junta, which was formally
"dismissed"). Despite of this both criminals retain
their positions de facto and continue their activities
dividing power with Shevardnadze. The authors of the report set up
question, whether in Abkhazia can be noted signs of ethnic
cleansing. It is regrettable fact, that such attempts are obvious
from the both sides and it is most alarming fact in this conflict
and must be taken in consideration by UN and all Human Rights
organizations. President Gamsakhurdia
recently sent an appeal to Abkhazian people and leadership to
begin process of national reconciliation and negotiations about
cease-fire. Abkhazian leaders have sent a delegation to him in
Grozny and there are some signs that peaceful process will start,
including discussion about the future state structure of the
Abkhazian Autonomous Republic, if Shevardnadze's regime will not
torpedoing it. We hope that negotiations will give serious result.
Now delegations are formed from both sides for further
negotiations and now everything depends on goodwill of Abkhazian
and Russian leaders, and also activity of UN and international
supervision. The Moscow
meeting between Shevardnadze and Eltsin, which took
place on 14th of May concerning Abkhazian conflict declared
cease-fire and withdrawing of heavy technique and artillery from
the conflict zone, after 20th of May, was commented by Moscow
television "Ostankino" previously in the following way:
"it is evident that Mr. Eltsin and Mr. Shevardnadze
try to take away initiative from supporters of President Gamsakhurdia,
which lead successful negotiations with Abkhazian
leadership". The meeting had propagandist aims, to show the
world, that peacemakers are Eltsin and Shevardnadze,
and nobody else. But we fear seriously that secret negotiations
between two leaders will only harm the peacemaking process. It
will be reviled after 20th of May. In conclusion we must say, that Abkhazian problem can not
be solved apart from the problem of the whole Georgia,
catastrophic political and economic situation in this country what
is the direct result of coup d'etat and establishing of illegal,
criminal regime. Situation is comparable to those of
Bosnia-Herzegovina and Somalia and world community of nations and
especially UN will activate and accelerate their efforts in
normalizing it, supporting restoration of legal constitutional
government, otherwise soon it will be too late. Information for the Secretary General of the
UN,
Mr. Butros Butros Gali
"International Alert" About Georgian-Abkhazian Conflict
Besarion Gugushvili - Prime - Minister of Georgia in exile,
Merab Kiknadze - Temporary speaker of the Parliament of Georgia in
exile
May 15, 1993
Who was
bombing Sukhumi?
In August of 1992, after the
out-breaking of Abkhazian war, the criminal junta of Shevardnadze
declared openly, that the main purpose of this war is
extermination of "Zviadists" i.e. supporters of legal
President in Abkhazia, who are the 90 % of population. During the
war first political steps of junta was forbidding of all meetings
and demonstrations, of all parties and movements of President's
supporters, closure of the free newspaper "Agdgoma"
("Ressuection") in Sukhumi. After this barbarian bombings of Sukhumi by the
unidentified planes "SU-25" were not ceasing. Who was bombing Sukhumi? According to the
Russian defense minister P.Grachev, Sukhumi is bombed by
the planes of junta, who "is waging war against it's own
people". Independent
newspaper "Agdgoma", which is now published in Zugdidi,
writes: "There are two
suspicious obstacles:
1. The planes are not bombing military objects, but peaceful
population only;
2. Bombing of peaceful Georgian population by the military planes
of junta took place earlier in the region of Abkhazia: remember
Gagra, Kvitouli etc." ("Agdgoma", March 14th,
1993). The same newspaper
writes: "Besides, Shevardnadze, who is going to sign a
cabala treaty between Russia and Georgia, threatened Georgians by
Russian danger in his interview for the English journal
"Focus": "Today Russia has all possibilities to
exterminate and crash down Georgia. Part of Russian politicians
are ready for that. We must think, that Ministry of Defense of
Russia will make everything for extermination of Georgian
state". So Shevardnadze
tells Georgian people: if we shall not sign Russian-Georgian
Treaty, Russia will exterminate us. Why? Because we want full
independence. In his appeal
to the population of Megrelia, President Gamsakhurdia
writes: "It is clear, that one of the main aims of
"Georgian-Abkhazian" war is genocide of Georgian
population of Abkhazia and inducing of the population of Megrelia
into this conflict. It is evident, that there is a secret
agreement between Shevardnadze and Abkhazian
communist-separatists. Only by this can we explain some strange
events, the witnesses of which we are during last months. Bombing
of Sukhumi by the planes SU-25 gives rise to several questions. As
it is known, in war adversary forces usually are bombing first of
all military objects, airport, sea port and main communications.
We cannot see such things in Sukhumi. The above-mentioned planes
were bombing mainly residential districts of Georgian population,
especially street of Chanba, where the great part of supporters of
the legal authorities are living. The Russian plane SU-27, shot
down by junta forces is not a bomber, but fighter. So it must be
investigated, to whom belong bombers, which were bombing Sukhumi.
If they belong even to Russians, we can propose, that they were
bombing Sukhumi in coordinate with junta. The main aim was banning
of the Georgian population from Sukhumi, what was impossible by
open, official methods. This shows, that both junta and
separatists have one aim. In
addition, the last visits of Shevardnadze to Sukhumi, were
very strange. During these visits bombing of Sukhumi usually was
ceased, there was also no shooting from the side of adversary,
what gave him possibility of going to the front line and safely
visiting trenches, with the aim of self reclame. When he returning
to Tbilisi, shooting continued as before. If "adversary"
is fighting with junta, he must try first of all liquidation of
the "commander-in-chief...". It must be investigated
also, why Sukhumi received electricity and bread, when
Shevardnadze visited town, and why this everything disappearing
after his leaving. It is evident, that blockade of Sukhumi was
coordinated by both sides between each other. We must remember also note worthy statement
of Shevardnadze: "If Megrelia will not be silent, in
Abkhazia will be worse, than in Samachablo ("South
Ossetia")" (newspaper "Sakartvelos Respublika"
31 July, 1992). Such was Shevardnadze's "prophecy" about
the war in Abkhazia. To day,
after the meeting of Eltsin and Shevardnadze we see
temporary cease-fire on Gumista front-line, but military
operations in Ochamchire region are continuing from both sides.
The reason is following: both, junta and Russia have fear of
reconciliation between Abkhazians and legal national guard,
distributed in Megrelia which is loyal to legal Government, part
of which are now in Ochamchire region. By the same reason, after
the peace agreement between two commanders: colonel V.Kobalia
(Georgian side) and Kemularia (Abkhazian side) junta made
military provocations, and fire was renewed. Despite of these
military forces, loyal to legal Government and Abkhazians continue
peaceful negotiations for establishing peace in Abkhazia. Press-service of the President of the
Republic of Georgia in exile
26 of May, 1993.
Punitive war
of Shevardnadze regime and Russia in Western Georgia (Megrelia and
Abkhazia)
Honorable participants! I, the first legally and democratically
elected President of the Republic of Georgia, now in exile,
address you and wish effective work in defense of Human Rights all
over the world. Today in our
uneasy time, in our unstable and bewildered world, all hopes of
mankind are in the activization and consolidation of those forces,
who strive for retaining of civil consciousness and spiritual
values, respect and safeguarding of international law and Human
Rights, the best guarantee of which is UN and other organizations,
which fight against dangerous tendencies in the world, which can
bring humanity to total anarchy, moral decay and catastrophe. As it is known, after the disintegration of
the Soviet Union several new states arose. The world community of
nations hoped, that after the era of soviet totalitarizm and abuse
of Human Rights, new Republics will chose the path of democracy
and freedom. But in many cases this hope proved to be premature. One of the examples is former Soviet
republic of Georgia, where in October 1990 took place first
democratic multiparty parliamentary elections, on which communists
were defeated. Georgia began building of the new state-of-law,
oriented on democracy and market economy, reformed Constitution,
held a referendum of Independence, and in May 1991 held first
democratic presidential elections with 6 alternative candidates,
in which I was elected as a first President of Georgia by 87 % of
popular vote. All these
elections and referendum were monitored world-wide. This
everything caused severe reaction of soviet leadership and
defeated communist nomenclature, which, headed by ex-minister of
USSR foreign affairs E.Shevadnadze, organized worldwide
campaign of slander of the new democratically elected Government
and Parliament and then committed bloody coup d'etat and violent
takeover, with the help of soviet army forces in Transcaucasia,
banned legal Parliament and President and established in Georgia
military junta and bloody terrorist regime, which brought to total
destabilization, criminal anarchy, civil war and severe Human
Rights abuses, what continues up to this day. Brutal executions and dispersal of peaceful
demonstrations, tortures of political prisoners, murders of
political opponents, among them women and children, secret police,
loss of freedom of the press and speech, tactics of terror and
intimidation, arbitrary arrests and executions, illegal private
militias, mostly consisted of convicted criminals, false illegal
"elections", violation of election laws and standards
are documented in reports of the Helsinki commission staff of
American Congress, State Department of the USA, German based
International organization of Human Rights (IGFM), Helsinki group
of Finland, Helsinki group of Great Britain, and other
organizations (Regrettably, such well-known organizations, as
"Amnesty International" and "Helsinki Watch"
have brought very small contribution to this case).
Video-documents about the tragic situation in Georgia are in the
film of Christopher Wennar "Shevardnadze
Uncovered", which was shown in Austria last year and on
"Discovery Channel' in USA on January 19th, 1993. Many video
documents posses Helsinki Union of Georgia, the Chairman of which
I am, as well as IGFM, based Frankfurt-um-Main (Chairman Mr. R.Chambers).
One of the best politological periodicals of the West,
"Soviet Analyst" recently has dedicated the entire issue
to the political situation in Georgia (Volume 21, Numbers 9-10,
April 1993). In military
punitive expeditions in western Georgia (Megrelia), as well as in
"Georgian-Abkhazian" war, unleashed by Shevardnadze's
junta (which still continues in Ochamchire region), are committed
terrible atrocities and war crimes towards peaceful population,
towns and villages are destroyed, thousands of inhabitants are
turned to refugees. Concerning this much is written in Georgian,
Russian and international press. It is noteworthy, that the facts
of ethnic cleaning and genocide in this war took place from the
both sides. Shevardnadze's
regime declares, that it cares for Human Rights most of all. It is
remarkable, that the Chairman of the state commission of Human
Rights is vice-premier of Shevardnadze's government Alexandr
Kavsadze, who belongs to former communist nomenclature and in
soviet period worked as a deputy of Interior Minister of
Soviet-Communist Georgia. He was collaborating with KGB and took
part in repressions against dissidents of that period. During his
meetings with western observers, Kavasdze cynically
declares, that in Georgia there are no political prisoners, no
tortures in prisons, no violations of law and court procedure,
because Georgia is building "new democratic society and
"state of law". But it is enough to mention, that in
contemporary Georgia court is not based on Constitution, because
new Georgian "Parliament" restored old constitution of
1921, which recognizes only jury court without procuracy, wheres
Georgian courts are based on Constitution of soviet period (The so
called "popular courts", which consist of one judge, two
assessors, one procurator and one advocate, which has only formal
status). So the courts of today's regime are mere tools of
anti-constitutional, extra-juridical reprisal and violence, based
on "telephone law" and not on Justice. By that reason Georgian political prisoners
of so called "Kvareli forest case" refused to
participate in such court comedy, what caused fury of authorities
and several prisoners were sprayed with toxic gas by escort
directly in the court hall, what is unprecedented brutality
towards prisoners in the world's juridical practice
("Iberia-Spectrum", 11-17 May, 1993). Such illegal,
anti-constitutional bodies are also so called "military
courts" which are the tools of extra-juridical killing. As it is known, UN, CSCE and all
organizations, based on international law, condemn violence in
political life, anti-constitutional methods of seizure of power
and recognize only democratic development, legal and fair
elections, parliamentary ways of political struggle. Despite of
this, Shevardnadze's junta, which came to power in Georgia after
the violent takeover, military coup and banning of legal
Government, was received in UN, CSCE and many leading states of
the world established with it diplomatic relations, whereas legal
President, Government and Parliament in exile are ignored and not
recognized. It is noteworthy,
that religious leaders of the West, Roman Pope John Paul II
and Archbishop of Canterbury spoke with great alarm about the
situation in Georgia. Roman Pope in his annual discourse with the
diplomatic corps in January 1993 stated, that most regrettable in
the whole former Soviet Union is the situation in Georgia, which
he compared to the situation on Balkans. Archbishop of Canterbury,
visiting Georgia, marked that the tragedy of population here
leaves behind everything, what we can watch in Bosnia. I would like also to draw attention of the
Conference on the persecution of me and my family. In our case,
almost all articles of the United Nations Declaration on Human
Rights are being violated by junta. We are prohibited from
returning to our homeland, have been banned without trial, we have
been deprived of all our property, our living was burned down
deliberately by junta, all our possessions were stolen. I have
been deprived of legal protection of any kind, I am not allowed to
move freely to any country at all. I am systematically slandered
by junta, accused of all possible crimes, I have no means of
defending myself, all means of obtaining justice are closed for
me, my children are depraved of education. All these things are
sanctioned by Shevardnadze. Now we are living in little hotel in
Grozny, Chechen Republic, having there temporary shelter. So are
other members of Government and Parliament in exile. In conclusion, I must summarize my demands
and recommendations to the Conference in the following way: 1. It is necessary to strengthen and widen
international supervision of the UN in Georgia, immediate forming
of the constant group of UN observers from the commission of Human
Rights, which must study and check all facts of rudest violation
of Human Rights, visit prisons, hospitals and courts, examine
witnesses and victims of terror, violence and abuse, speak with
refugees and political prisoners, meet with oppositional parties
and movements, check condition of mass media, legislative and
juridical practice; 2. To
form immediately International Tribunal of the UN for the war
criminals and ethnic cleansers who committed crimes against
humanity in "Georgian-Abkhazian" war; 3. To invite to the conference of UN
representatives of the legal Government and Parliament of Georgia
in exile; 4. After the
compilation of an extensive documentary report on the systematic
abuses of Human Rights, military repression and crimes against
humanity, use of terror and genocide, UN and all above-mentioned
organizations must demand international condemnation of the
illegal criminal regime - for failing to fulfill it's
international treaty obligations, the principles contained in UN
Declaration of Human Rights and all the rules of international
law. These organizations must also demand the restoration of the
legal Government and lawful rule in Georgia. this is Georgia's
only possible route of Salvation. Zviad Gamsakhurdia
President of the Republic of Georgia in Exile
Chairman of the Helsinki Union of Georgia
31-th May 1993, Grozny
Shevardnadze's
war in Abkhazia
Dear Lord Bethell, We, the members of legal Georgian
Parliament, which still functioning in exile, are very grateful to
you for your sincere and objective article about the man, who has
brought Georgian people enormous disaster and national catastrophe
and despite of this retains in some political circles of Europe
and US name of "democrat" and even of "world
statesman", who cares for "peace and stability" in
Georgia and Caucasus. We consider it erroneous to ascribe him and Gorbachev
ending of cold war, freeing of eastern Europe and unification of
Germany, because it was the result of Reigan's strong
policy, his Programme of "Star Wars" (Strategic Defense
Initiative) and efforts of Soviet and Eastern European dissidents
first of all, inability of old Soviet totalitarian system to stand
the competition with the West, and not of good will of
above-mentioned Soviet leaders, who were in reality forced to give
up, because they had no other way. It is also right to compare him with Ceausescu,
but crimes of Ceausescu are nothing in comparison to the
nightmare, which Shevardnadze has brought to his own
people, punishing it for aspirations to freedom and independence,
together with notorious Politburo, KGB and other imperialistic
forces of Russia. Being a
bloody dictator of Georgia in Soviet period, Shevardnadze
repressed and executed thousands of man, introduced inhuman
tortures in prisons, creating dreadful penitentiary system, his
agents assassinated also many communist officials - enemies of Shevardnadze
(see article of Peter Reddaway and William Showcross
"The Day a Soviet Jail Torturer Revealed All", Sunday
Times, London, 2 November, 1975), banned Georgian language
from all state institutions, has forbidden teaching of Georgian
history at schools, along with total russification of the country,
severely persecuted religion, infiltrating church with KGB agents,
repressed all dissidents, including Zviad Gamsakhurdia,
well-known scholar, writer and public figure, who was later
popularly elected as a first President of Georgian state, and Merab
Kostava, national hero of Georgia, who died in the suspicious
"car accident" in 1989, soon after massacre of 9th
April, organized by Shevardnadze. After the defeat of communists on first
multi-party elections in 1990, declaration of state independence
in 1991, Shevardnadze, creating in the west false image of
our President as a "dictator" and another "Saddam
Hussein" of Caucasus, headed nomenklatura revenge and
bloody coup d'etat in Georgia, what caused civil war, oppression
and genocide of Georgian people, banning of legal President and
Parliament, abolishing of Constitution, destroying our capital
Tbilisi. It was desirable for
President Eltsin to get rid of Shevardnadze from
Moscow, as Gorbachev-orientated political figure, which was very
dangerous for him, so he helped him in returning to Georgia. Shevardnadze and his right hand, four
times convicted burglar Joseliani have created dreadful
criminal army, so called "Mkhedrioni", chastising whole
regions of Georgia, executing peaceful mass demonstrations of
protests, arrested and tortured hundreds of people, the lists of
which are published in reports of Human Rights organizations.
Assassination of M.Kurdadze - Attorney General of Tbilisi -
mentioned by you, is committed by them, because he demanded
investigation of their crimes. After this all, Shevardnadze
spoke by Russian radio about the "great services of
"Mkhedrioni" for Georgian People". The criminal junta, created by Shevardnadze,
has robbed state and population, brought our country to economic
catastrophe, hunger and criminal anarchy. The civil war in western
Georgia (including Abkhazia), unleashed by him, brought to
thousands of victims, about 100 thousand refugees, destroyed towns
and villages, establishing unprecedented arbitrary rule of mafia
and criminals in Georgia, who have domination over police,
civilian and state institutions, controlling economy and all
income of state and people, misappropriating all foreign credits
and humanitarian aid. All mass media are controlled by them, all
oppositional newspapers are closed, except two of them, who are in
permanent chantage and intimidation. Political prisoners are
tortured in more inhuman ways, than in soviet time. It is
astonishing, that "Amnesty International", who
considered as "political prisoners" four times convicted
burglar Jaba Joseliani and his thugs, who were arrested in
President Gamsakhurdia's period, now refuses to adopt true
political prisoners, the list of which you have and concerning
which you will receive special documents. In October 1992 Shevardnadze provided
illegal, anti-constitutional falsified elections under terror and
violence, being elected on the position of "speaker of the
Parliament", having no alternative candidate. In many reports
of western observers is unmasked this unusual "election
practice", but despite of this, governments of many states
recognize usurper as the "head of Parliament" and
"head of state". Now
about the "sad tale" he has told you and about his true
relations with Russia. His servility towards Moscow in soviet time
is well-known. But now, after the changes in Moscow's policy, it
needs more disguised agents. Hence Shevardnadze's seeming
"confrontation" with Russia and "anti-Russian"
statements which are the means of camouflage for better deception
of the West and Georgian People as well, which respects only
independent leaders. Everything, what Shevadnadze committed
in Georgia, was done by instructions of still existing Center,
the main purpose of which was bringing Georgia back to it's
control with the hands of Shevardnadze and his communist
mafia and junta, under slogans of "democracy".
Disobedient Georgian Government leaded by President Gamsakhurdia,
was banned by Georgian putchists in alliance with Soviet Russian
army forces in Trancaucasus, which have been giving Shevardnadze's
regime arms and military bases from the very beginning of putch in
Georgia up to this day, Russian soldiers and specialists directly
participated coup d'etat in December 1991 - January 1992, even
Moscow newspapers are now publishing materials about it. Today Shevardnadze
tries to incorporate Georgia in the new Empire, so called
"CIS", and sign big Russian-Georgian treaty of
"friendship", after which independence of Georgia will
have only formal character. Vice-premier of Shevardnadze's
government A. Margiani recently officially stated in
Moscow, that Georgia is joining "economic union" of CIS.
After this all complaints of Shevardnadze about
"problems" with Russia are misleading. Abkhazian war was unleashed by Shevardnadze
"in coordination with Kremlin", as he stated by national
TV in August 1992. The aim of Russia was strengthening it's
military control on Black Sea shore, depriving Georgia it's
north-western territory, whereas regime of Shevardnadze was
striving to establish his totalitarian rule in Abkhazia and
punishing it's Georgian population, 90% of which supported
President Gamsakhurdia. By that reason Sukhumi was bombed
by Shevardnadze's aircraft. Concerning
all this problems we ask you to look through last issue of "Soviet
Analyst" (vol.21, No9-10) which can give answers upon
many complicated questions. If you will be interested, we can send
you all materials concerning tragic situation in Georgia Now about your apt expression about Shevardnadze,
as a "Devil". May be you have heard, that the most part
of population of Georgia call him "Satan" and
"Judas". Recently on the trial of political prisoners of
so called "Kvareli forest case", on of the accused, G.Gachechiladze
stated that Shevardnadze is Devil. "You must prove it"
said the judge Tkeshelashvili. "Bring him here, and
I'll prove it to you and to him" said Gachehciladze.
For this "insolence" he has banned from the trial by
judge, and severely beaten in prison. Such is Shevardnadze's
"democracy". We
believe, that all honest and conscious politicians of the West
will come to the same conclusions as you, having full information
about Shevardnadze's crimes in the past and present. We ask you
and other members of House of Lords and European Parliament to
help us in informing the West about real nature of existing regime
and persuade Her Majesty's Government and other western
governments to cease diplomatic relations with illegal criminal
regime and officially recognize legal President, Government and
Parliament in exile. This will be great help for Georgian people
and best means of it's salvation, as well as true guarantee of
restoration of legal authorities, peace, democracy and
constitutional order in Georgia. At the same time, final
destruction of Georgia will be very harmful for Western interests
in the whole Caucasian region. Respectfully, To
Honorable Lord Bethell,
Member of European Parliament
Merab Kiknadze, Tengiz Chachava - MP in exile
June 12, 1993
NATO staff was
visited by self-proclaimed "leader" of Georgia
Shevardnadze
Mr. Secretary General, Recently your staff was visited by
self-proclaimed "leader" of Georgia, Mr. Shevardnadze.
Hereby we would like to remind you, that Mr.Shevardnadze,
who has been received by your organization, has neither
legitimacy, nor authority in Georgia, where he has usurped the
state power in January 1992 by means of violent coup d'etat,
leaning on former communist nomenklatura, criminal world
and Russian military troops in Transcaucasus , what caused
abolishing of Constitution, banning of legally and freely elected
President and Parliament, unprecedented suppression of democracy
and human rights, civil war in western Georgia (including
Abkhazia), economic catastrophe and criminal chaos. Policy of
illegal regime threats to turn Caucasus into another Yugoslavia.
Criminal anarchy and chaos in Georgia, rule of mafia, supported by
Shevardnadze, has intensified and widened arms and drug
trade, supplying with arms seats of conflicts all over the
Caucasian region. Shevardnadze's regime is involved in organizing
communist putsch and coup d'etat all over Caucasus - recently, for
instance, in Azerbaijan, where legal President is banned by
communist usurper, supported by Russia, what brings serious harm
to western interests in the region. The majority of population of Georgia, which still
supports legal authorities of Georgia , has been perceived this
visit with anxiety, because it strengthens internal position of
illegal regime and consequently changes tragic situation in the
country to the worse , increases the danger of the escalation of
civil war and the destabilization in whole Caucasian region. We
also regard it our duty to inform you, that Mr. Shevardnadze
leads improper speculation with the name of your organization,
boasting, that forces of NATO will support him in retaining his
personal power and that he is able to involve you in solution of
conflicts (e.g. Abkhazia), which are in fact organized by himself
in order to keep power. This might cause unpleasant results to you
also. Considering, that your
organization has great influence and authority in the world, it
would be great help to Georgian people, if you would advise Mr. Shevardnadze
to resign and retire as soon as possible, because he brought
Georgia and whole region to the political and economic catastrophe
and serious destabilization. Finally,
we state protest according to the above-mentioned and ask you and
your organization to cease any contacts with illegal regime. If
your organization would show interest, we are ready to prepare for
you large detailed information about conflicts in Caucasus and
ways of their overcoming, because we see, that soon you will face
this problem. To Mr.
Manfred Worner
The Secretary General NATO M.Kiknadze -Temporary Speaker of the Parliament in exile;
G. Gulbani, T.Chachava - MP of Georgia in exile
June 24, 1993
War in Western
Georgia (including Abkhazia), economic catastrophe and criminal
chaos
As a members of legally elected
Parliament and Government of the Republic of Georgia in exile, we
regard it our duty to remind you, that Mr. Chikvaidze, who
has been visited to France, has neither legitimacy, nor authority
to represent the Republic of Georgia in the international affairs.
Mr. Chikvaidze, the former soviet Ambassador in the
Netherlands, who was dismissed for the support of Moscow coup
attempt in August 1991, now represents illegal regime of Georgia,
which usurped state power by means of armed violence, leaning upon
KGB, communist nomenklatura, criminal elements and Soviet
Russian military troops in Transcaucasus in January 1992. These events, qualified by the legally
elected President and Parliament, as a military coup d'etat, led
to abolishing of the Constitution, banning of the freely elected
President and Parliament, unprecedented suppression of freedom and
democracy, wide scale campaign of terror and repressions, civil
war in western Georgia (including Abkhazia), economic catastrophe
and criminal chaos. Unfortunately,
the Government of France has not estimated properly these events
from the very beginning, establishing diplomatic relations with
illegal regime and closing eyes on atrocities and Human Rights
abuses, which it has committed in Georgia. Mr. Chikvaidze's visit
to France confirms, that this politics is continuing now, although
the criminal nature of existing regime becomes more and more
evident for western publicity despite all attempts to hide it
("days of Georgian culture" is one of these attempts). This fact is perceived by the majority of
Georgian population, which still supports the legal authorities,
as an attempt of strengthening internal position of the illegal
regime, what causes further suppression of Human Rights, increases
the danger of further escalation of civil war and threats to turn
the whole Caucasian region into another Yugoslavia. Hereby we state protest due to the above
mentioned, and appeal you to condemn illegal regime and cease any
contacts with it in accordance with the international obligations
of your country and the basic principles of UN and CSCE. To Mr. Alain Juppe Minister of Foreign
Affairs
The Republic of France Besarion
Gugushvili - Prime-Minister of Georgia in exile
Merab Kiknadze - Temporary Speaker of Parliament in exile
Giorgi Gulbani, Tengiz Chachava - MP of Georgia in exile
July 6, 1993, Grozny
About the war
in Abkhazia
According to our information, Mr.Shevardnadze,
the head of existing regime of Georgia addressed a message to the
participants of the Tokyo Summit of G 7. In the message he quite
objectively describes economic situation in Georgia, which must be
estimated as a catastrophe. If one add to this terrible situation
in the field of Human Rights, atrocities, which have committed by
Shevardnadze's regime against it's own people, picture would be
more complete. Of course,
there were not mentioned true reasons of this situation in this
message (war in Abkhazia is one of the consequences, and not a
reason). Only understanding of the real nature of existing regime,
it's aims and means, due to which it seized state power and
continue to keep it can give answer to this question and key to
solve alarming and tragic problems, which have arisen in Georgia
and whole Caucasian region. Georgian
communist nomenklatura, headed by E.Shevardnadze,
regained state power, which it lost in first in the former Soviet
Union free, multiparty parliamentary (October 1990) and
presidential (May 1991) elections, in January 1992 by means of
military coup d'etat, having strong moral and material support
from Moscow. These events led to banning of freely and
democratically elected President and Parliament of Georgia and to
abolishing of Constitution. Besides Transcaucasian troops of
Soviet (Russian) Army, main ally of nomenklatura in this coup were
criminal world, in essence it was pure criminal revolution, during
which approximately 4.5 thousand of convicted criminals were
released from jails and then officially amnestied by "State
Council" for armed activities against Government. Until today
these people are the main source of supplementation of various
private criminal gangs, like Joseliani's well-known
"Mkhedrioni". Knowing,
that Georgian people, majority of which still supports legal
authorities of Georgia, never will reconcile with such cynical
crushing of principles of Democracy, existing regime have been
leaning upon these criminal forces in order to keep power and
fight against strong peaceful movement of civil disobedience in
support of restoration constitutional order and legally elected
President and Parliament. Here we shall not bother you reminding
well-known facts of terror and genocide of peaceful population,
Human Rights abuses, shootings and brutal dispersions of peaceful
protest meetings and manifestations, inhuman tortures of political
prisoners, arrests and detainees without any trial, punitive
expeditions to various disobedient regions, monopolized mass-media
and strongest censoring, economic catastrophe and criminal chaos,
that followed above mentioned events. All these facts, as well as
wretched attempt to legitimate existing regime by means of
anti-constitutional false communist "elections", which
were held under control of gunmen in situation of open terror and
intimidation, where single candidate have now rivals, are
well-documented in the reports of the Helsinki Commission of US
Congress, German based International Society of Human Rights
(IGFM), International Helsinki Federation, British Helsinki Group,
Helsinki Group of Finland, also in many other materials in western
mass-media, video-documents are given in the film of Christopher
Vennar "Shevardnadze Uncovered", which was demonstrated
by ORF in Austria last year and "Discovery Channel" in
USA on January 19, 1993. Well-known western periodical
"Soviet Analyst" dedicated the entire issue to the
situation in Georgia (vol. 21, No 9-10, April 1993). We would like
emphasize here, that lack of legitimacy and authority of existing
regime of Georgia led to situation, which is difficult to be
comprehended by representatives of western states-of-law. At the one hand, various mafia groups,
having real power (typical representatives - Joseliani and Kitovani)
need the international name and authority of Shevardnadze
(international, and not internal, we must underline, because this
man even before coup, being chief of CP and KGB General , and then
high level Soviet official has committed such amount of crimes
against Georgian people, that Chausescu's and Honneker's crimes
are child's play compared with it, only well-known Tbilisi
massacre of April 9th, 1989, organized by him is enough to
remember) for hiding their crimes. At the other hand, as we have
mentioned, Shevardnadze and nomenklatura need them to keep
power. This is the only answer to question, why Mr. Shevardnadze
still shares power with pure criminals. Such kind of division is
quite artificial though, because communist nomenclatura in Georgia
always has been so corrupted and closed to mafia (it is also one
of the "merits" of Mr. Shevardnadze), that it is too
hard to consider them separately. As a result the state, which arose in Georgia after
violent overthrowing of legal authorities has evidently expressed
criminal character. All forms of legislative, executive and
juridical forms of power in Georgia: parliament, cabinet of
ministers, local administration, police, procuracy, courts, etc.
exists only formally, whereas real power is concentrated in the
hands of criminal "elite" and their paramilitary groups,
who are standing above state, above law, above any legal
institutions. This "elite" is controlling also whole
economy of the Republic: budget, banks, all credit and financial
organizations, vine and brandy industry, cloth-factories, wool
industry, drug-trade, laying them under tributes, fixing press,
distributing their production, etc. All humanitarian aid is
misappropriated and sold via black market. Georgia is deeply
involved in international illegal drug-business and trade of arms.
And all these facts are not unpleasant deviations, but the main
feature of state policy in contemporary Georgia. Now about the war in Abkhazia. As we have
mentioned this war is one of the results of the policy of illegal
regime. Of course, there are Moscow supported separatist forces,
which are striving not to independence, but to maintaining Russian
control on this strategically important region of Georgia. But
Shevardnadze's regime assists them (consciously or not) to achieve
this aim. Lack of legitimacy of the existing regime and abolishing
of Constitution of Georgia, which was the main juridical guarantee
of territorial integrity of Georgia help Moscow and above
mentioned forces to succeed in it (admit, that this step - we mean
abolishing of Constitution - looks quite "strange" for
the politician, who tries to depict himself as a defender of
territorial integrity of the country). Under the rule of legally
elected President and Parliament, due to reasonable politics,
there were no antagonistic contradictions in Abkhazia, were most
part of population consists of Georgians, in spite of strong
attempts from Moscow to initiate there ethnic violence and
disorders. One of the aims of war in Abkhazia was also the
subjugation of Georgian population of this region, which was
completely disobedient to the illegal regime, which can govern
only by means of rough force. Criminal
character and consequently complete inability and unwillingness of
illegal regime of Shevardnadze to solve any problems by
political means deviated Georgia from the chosen path of
democratic development and led to the catastrophic situation and
the danger of full destruction of the country. At the same time,
taking into account increasing imperial tendencies in Russia and
interests of well-known destructive forces, trying to increase
their influence in the region, situation can be become more and
more dangerous and harmful to the western interests also. Similar
tendencies in other former Soviet republics (i.e. in Azerbaijan)
shows this evidently. Finally,
we must state, that 18 months period since nomenklatura revenge
has proved, that there are no signs of stabilization in Georgia
and whole Caucasian region, moreover, situation becomes worse day
by day, even Mr.Shevardnadze is oblige to confess it. The only way
to achieve peace and stability and to rescue country is the
resignation of Shevardnadze's criminal regime and restoration of
the legally elected President and Parliament. Only international
condemnation and political isolation of illegal regime and
recognition of legally elected President and Parliament of
Georgia, which haven't resigned and still are functioning in
exile, can restore constitutional order and return Georgia to the
path of normal democratic development. On behalf of long-suffering
Georgian people and in the name of great ideals of Democracy and
Freedom we ask you to use your great authority in this direction. Press Service of Parliament of Georgia in
exile
14.07.93, Grozny
Shevardnadze's
regime and the Western geopolitical interests in Caucasus
We, the members of the legally and
democratically elected Parliament of Georgia, now in exile,
address you concerning alarming and tragic situation in our
country. We believe, that the
last decision of US Government giving 30 million dollars to
Georgia for humanitarian needs is an act of good will and sympathy
to the Georgian people. But at the same time American Congress,
Government and you personally, Mr. President, must be sure, that
this aid will not bring any ease to our suffering people - the
victim of criminal terrorist regime of Shevardnadze, which
came to power after the bloody coup and violent takeover, false
communist "elections", bringing to our land terror,
criminal anarchy, hunger and civil war. Georgia, where state and
government institutions exist only formally, can not receive any
kind of aid because it is misappropriated by ruling armed mafia,
leaded by Shevardnadze, his "vice-president" Joseliani
and company, and is distributed among the members of criminal
"elite", which sells great part of it in the neighboring
states by the channels of black market. Even the flour and corn,
imported for people's need, "disappears" in such a way,
causing alarming lack of bread. Besides, criminal regime, which wages war against it's
own people and is hated by it, caused in the land an artificial
hunger, what is one of the forms of political terror, taken from
Stalin's arsenal, who, as it is well-known, caused in 20-ies such
an artificial hunger at Ukraine for subjugating of people's
disobedience and violent collectivization. Now Shevardnadze is continuing the
same thing in Georgia, where 90% of population are his opponents
and demand his resign. By such inhuman methods Shevardnadze
tries also to return Georgia to the Russian Empire and reject idea
of independence, as an absurd one, because according to his
conception "the sun for Georgia rises from north". Mr. President, with great surprise was
received in Georgia information about sending of US specialists
for guarding Shevardnadze and fighting against terrorism
("US Aids Shevardnadze Guards" by B.Geitz, The
Washington Times, July 13, 1993). Taking into account the fact
that all terrorists in Georgia are officially concentrated in the
"state institutions", this step will serve to the
purpose of strengthening regime, which has made terrorism the main
feature of state policy and not to achievement of order and
stability, what is so desirable for the whole Georgian people. We
hope though, this information is one of the demonstrations of
author's complete ignorance about Georgian affairs, the article is
full of. Such aids and
official letters to criminal regime can stimulate only state
terrorism, gangsterizm, drug trade, abuse of Human Rights and
social disorder. Starvation and anarchy will continue in Georgia,
because Georgian state and it's economic basis exists no more,
industry and agriculture is destroyed and paralyzed, country is
wasted by criminal paramilitary bands, nomenklatura and mafia,
which are prolonging their existence by misappropriating state
subsidies, granted from USA and other western countries. If United States want to save Georgian
people from terror, anarchy and hunger, they must help it to get
rid of cannibal regime, which threats to it's very existence and
help Georgian people in restoration of its legal, constitutional
Parliament, President and Government, what is the only way of
restoring of Democracy, Justice and stability in our country.
Restoration of true, reformed constitution of Georgia, which was
abolished by illegal regime of Shevardnadze will also help
to end Abkhazian war, because in that constitution is fixed
Abkhazian Autonomy and it's rights. Finally we want to inform you about the opinion of great
majority of Georgian people: Shevardnadze's regime for Georgia is
the same, what was Najibula's regime for Afghanistan. The more
support will have this criminal-communist regime from the west,
the worse destabilization threats to the whole Caucasian region
and especially to Abkhazia and Azerbaijan, where nomenklatura
revenge and coup d'etat has taken place by the direct assistance
and collaboration with Georgian putschists. This everything
finally will bring very negative results for the western
geopolitical interests not only in Caucasus, but in the whole
Asian region. Sincerely
Yours, To His Excellency
William J. Clinton
The President of the USA Merab Kiknadze - Temporary Speaker of the Parliament in
exile; Tariel Gelantia, Giorgi Gulbani, Tengiz Chachava - MP in
exile
July 21, 1993, Grozny
Political
crisis in Georgia and war in Abkhazia
Welcoming intentions of world
community to restore peace, legitimacy and order in Abkhazia, what
suggests particularly the restoration of legal authorities of
Abkhazian Autonomous Republic, we regard it our duty to state the
following: The essence of the
problem is the restoration of legitimacy, order and democratic
norms not only in one of the parts of state - the member of UN,
but on the whole territory of the Republic of Georgia. The recognition of the Parliament of the
Abkhazian Autonomous Republic, as the legal authority
automatically means to recognize the constitutions of Abkhazia and
Georgia, which were abolished by notorious "State
Council" of Georgia and Abkhazian faction of the Parliament
of Abkhazia, respectively, neglecting all juridical norms and are
still acting juridically. This
must mean automatically to recognize the legally and freely
elected authorities of Georgia - the President and the Parliament
of the Republic. Law and order must be common for the whole
country. Application of double standards are absolutely
inadmissible in this case and are not giving positive results. Any negotiations and agreements with
existing regime in Tbilisi, which usurped state power by means of
military coup d'etat in January 1992 due to direct interference of
Russian military troops in Transcaucasus and since then has been
trying to subjugate country due to them, are active support and
encouragement of lawlessness. Just the same is the recognition of
one of the groups of Abkhazian Parliament heading by V.Ardzinba
as a full value supreme authority of Abkhazia. We deal with situation, when Russian
authorities, leaning upon the minority group of Abkhazian
Parliament, which has lost legitimacy at the one hand, and the
Tbilisi usurpers of state power, heading by Shevardnadze on
the other hand are trying to legitimate division of Georgia and
Russian military presence there by means of "agreements"
between them. Misinforming the world publicity, these forces
strive to involve UN as a cover of this action, what discredits
this organization. Refusal of
Gudauta minority group of Abkhazian Parliament to negotiate with
legal authorities of Georgia and it's orientation towards Russian
military circles threats by full-scale destabilization in the
whole Caucasian region. Absolutely evident are the Moscow
intentions to retain Georgia and Caucasus in the "common
military, political and economic space" - i.e. to restore
modernized state structure on the territory of the former Soviet
Union. As it is well-known, several former soviet republics were
represented in the UN, what did not mean, that they have any
possibilities to realize their rights. Population of Georgia by means of referendum and free,
democratic elections several times has expressed its attitude
towards the restoration of independent statehood which it lost due
to Russian-Bolshevik annexation in 1921 and thus - refused any
idea to be retain in the notorious "zone of special interests
of Russia". In the
existing situation legal authorities of Georgia are forced to
oppose anarchy and the attempts of strengthening of the Russian
military presence in Georgia. We can not allow groups, leaning on
military power of neighboring country to break Georgia by means of
"agreements", the main consequences of which will be
disintegration of Georgia and ethnic cleansing of Georgian
population, as it already have taken place in so called
"South Ossetia". Military
forces of the Republic of Georgia, subordinated to the legal
authorities of Georgia, which have been refrained from
participation in the events, taking place on the territory of
Abkhazia are forced to act in order to defense the population of
Abkhazia irrespective of nationality from both, Abkhazian
separatists and Tbilisi usurpers. We appeal to world community of nations, to the
population of Abkhazia, to the Republics of North Caucasus, to
Russia to support our efforts to establish lawful, democratic,
civilized norms of coexistence. Without cooperation, aiming restoration of constitutional
order and stability, anarchy and chaos inevitably will spread to
the neighboring regions, particularly to Russia, and there will
not be any possibility to stop this dangerous process. We address to the Presidents of USA and
Russia with proposal of cooperation on the basis of international
law in order to rescue our Country from the sharpest crisis, and
rescue significant part of the population of Georgia from
extermination. on behalf of
the Georgian Parliament in exile, Appeal To The World Community Of Nations
Merab Kiknadze - Temporary Speaker of Georgian Parliament in
exile, Giorgi Marjanishvili - Deputy Head of the Commission on
Foreign Affairs of the Parliament in exile
July 28, 1993, Grozny, Chechen Republic
An open
letter to Dr. George Hewitt
In your recent article about
Georgia published in "Guardian" (July 27, 1993)
You are repeating lies and slanders of Soviet propaganda, inspired
by Gorbachev and Shevardnadze about the President of
the Republic of Georgia in exile, whom you call erroneously
ex-president. Mr. Gamsakhurdia remains legal President of
Georgia, because he never resigned and legal Parliament didn't
provide for him an impeachment. Such things must be discerned by
such an educated man as you are. You assert, that President Gamsakhurdia
"began bloody war in South Ossetia". It is well-known,
that in the time of President Gamsakhurdia there was no war
in that region. There were several bloody attacks of Ossetian
communist extremists and KGB-prepared groups on Georgian
population in Samachablo, (which you call "South
Ossetia", using soviet terminology), inspired by Gorbachev
and Dzasokhov, secretary of central committee of CP, whose
aim was to have Georgia under pressure, in order to keep it in
Soviet Union and force President Gamsakhurdia to sign so
called "Union Treaty". President strengthened police
forces in Samachablo in January 1991 in order to defend Georgian
population from terrorist acts and genocide. However real war in
that region began after Shevardnadze's coming to power. About this
you can see documentary film of Christopher Wennar,
Canadian producer, which was shown by "Discovery
Channel" in USA and by ORF in Austria. If you will be
interested you can get this film from us. You assert, that President Gamsakhurdia
"roused his fellow mingrelians to take arms against
Abkhazians in 1989". It is also lie. In summer 1989 abkhazian
extremists attacked and killed representatives of Georgian
population in Sukhumi after the conflict around establishment of
Georgian university in this town, when they demand from Georgian
students and professors to return to Abkhazian university or leave
Abkhazia. President Gamsakhurdia always called to peace and
being dissident, even organized meeting in Zugdidi July 27th 1989,
and stopped excited population which was going to Abkhazia for
revenge. President Gamsakhurdia
was first who roused his voice against the invasion of
Shevardnadze's troops to Abkhazia in August 1992 in defense of
Abkhazian people. He appealed several times to Georgian and
Abkhazian peoples to stop war and began peaceful negotiation, for
what junta slandered him for "treason" and
"alliance with Abkhazian separatists and Confederation of
Peoples of North Caucasus". All these materials you can
receive if you sincerely are interested in the matter. You repeat also slanders of some
provocateurs of KGB in Georgia about the "pressure" by Zviad
Gamsakhurdia Dagestan villagers to quit eastern Georgia. In
reality, Mr. Gamsakhurdia, than a dissident, spoke about
the atrocities committed towards Georgian population by some
criminals among Dagestan population in eastern Georgia, demanding
their punishment. So your
attempts to pretend President Gamsakhurdia as a
"racist" are insolent, not to say immoral. All your
unobjectiveness and disinformations about Georgia and it's first
democratically elected President are stipulated by the influence
of your better half, who is Abkhazian by origin. Abkhazian separatists to day are allies of
Russian imperialism in Caucasus, they strive to separate Abkhazia
from Georgia and join it to Russia, whose intention is to keep
military place for arms on the Black Sea shore and strengthening
pressure on Georgia, for domination in Caucasus. So you, hiding
these things from the western publicity and distorting facts are
best ally of Russian imperialism and KGB, together with Abkhazian
separatists. If you sincerely
are interested by the fate of Abkhazian people, you must join
efforts of President Gamsakhurdia, who has concrete plan of
peaceful political solving of Abkhazian problem and has already
negotiations with Abkhazian leadership. Charles Tchkhotoua - Representative of
President Zviad Gamsakhurdia
August 1993
Restoration
of Legal Authorities in Western Georgia
In western Georgia is began the
restoration of the legal state power: in town Zugdidi began
functioning the legal Cabinet of Ministers and legally elected
Parliament, which has appealed to legal President to return from
exile and to perform his duties, in response to what leaders of
the illegal criminal regime of Georgia Shevardnadze and Joseliani
are unleashing full scaled civil war. They are involving Russian
military forces in the war against their own people, which in it's
great majority supports legal authorities. In western Georgia, in towns Poti and
Samtredia troops of illegal paramilitary organization
"Mkhedrioni" together with so called defense ministry
forces and Russian and Ukrainian hirelings are ready to attack
those regions of Georgia, which are controlled by the legal
military forces of the Republic of Georgia, which are true to the
legal President and Parliament. Leader of "Mkhedrioni" Joseliani and the
"interior minister", member of "Mkhedrioni" T.Khachishvili
on August 30 threatened by bombardment aviation town Zugdidi,
because it's population does not recognize illegal regime of Shevardnadze. I appeal to you to support the idea of
sending special UN observers also to that region of Georgia,
situation in which soon may be like Bosnia and Herzegovina. Towns
Zugdidi, Khobi, Tsalendshikha, Chkhorotsku, Martvili, Senaki,
Abasha, soon may be like Sarajevo and other enclaves of Bosnia.
They are in blockade from all sides, economically deprived and
near to hunger. I ask UN and all international organizations to
send there humanitarian aid, as it is done for the population of
town Tkvarcheli in western Georgia (Abkhazian Autonomous
Republic). Herewith I want to
remind, that solution of the Abkhazian conflict much depends on
the peace and stability in western Georgia and one problem can not
be solved without another, because deep connection exists between
these two regions. I want to inform you also, that military
equipment, armored vehicles and artillery, which was withdrawn
from Abkhazia by Shevardnadze troops, now are concentrated
on the border of the above-mentioned enclave of Western Georgia,
for taking part in the military operations against the forces of
the legal government of Georgia, stationed in this region, what
will have catastrophic consequences for peace in the whole
Georgia. Illegal paramilitary groups of "Mkhedrioni" and
others are robbing population in towns Samtredia, Poti, Khoni,
Kutaisi, which are economically deprived and near to hunger.
American embassy in Tbilisi takes no heed of these facts and does
not send to Washington true information about the condition in
Georgia. I ask you also to
influence dictator of Georgia Shevardnadze to refuse
military methods in solving political problems, stop robbing and
terrorizing of the population of Georgia and begin dialogue and
peaceful negotiations with legal authorities of Georgia:
President, Government and Parliament, whom he considers as
opposition to his regime. An
appeal to the President
of the United States of America
Mr. William J. Clinton An
appeal to the Secretary General of UN
Mr. Butros Butros Gali Zviad
Gamsakhurdia
President of the Republic of Georgia in exile
September 7th, 1993
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