Confrontation in Tbilisi Impedes Abkhazian Resolution

Moratorium of the leader of the Tbilisi-based Abkhazian Government in exile, Tama Nadareishvili expired on August 1. The moratorium was declared 7 months ago and considered non-interference of the Legitimate Government into the Abkhazian issues and suspension of the partisan activities on Abkhazian territory. Call for the active guerrilla movement caused turmoil among Georgian political forces.

On the first day after the expiration, up to five thousand IDPs gathered in a demonstration on Rustaveli avenue and urged the government to use more strict policy to restore country’s territorial integrity.

On the same morning, two explosions in central Abkhazia damaged two houses and a bridge. No casualties were reported. Commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces did not blame the partisans for the explosions. But unlike the Russian peacekeepers, Sukhumi did blame Georgians and perceived the incident as a sign of increased partisan activity. Leader of the Partisan Group “Forest Brotherhood” David Shengelaia, who also participated in the meeting in Tbilisi, did not confirm partisans’ involvement in the explosions.

Part of the IDPs lost hope that they will return to their homes during Shevardnadze’s presidency and support Nadareishvili in expanding partisan activities. Tamaz Nadareishvili, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia and a member of the Georgian Parliament, says that Tbilisi failed to restore territorial integrity with diplomatic means and urges UN to apply to the Chapter 7, which considers peace enforcement.

“Everybody knows diplomatic efforts won’t succeed if they are not backed up with force,” Nadareishvili says.

At the expanded session of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia on August 1, Nadareishvili dismissed all members of the Abkhazia’s executive government [in exile] and called upon two Abkhazian factions in the Parliament to unite. The session proved that the confrontation between the deferent governmental bodies in Georgia makes the Abkhazian conflict resolution far perspective.

Nadareishvili declared moratorium after President Shevardnadze appointed the Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze as his personal representative for Abkhazian conflict issues. That time the Abkhazian government in exile declared that it will not obstruct Abashidze’s activities. But after Abashidze said that the legitimate Abkhazian government should be dismissed because it is hindering the conflict resolution, Nadareishvili and Abashidze’s political forces confronted.

On August 2 the representatives of the Parliamentary bloc Revival, which backs up Adjarian leader demanded resignation of Tamaz Nadareishvili. The Revival claims that the support of partisan movement means calling for war that is against the Constitution.

Influential governor pf Imereti region, western Georgia, Temur Shashiashvili has participated in the expanded session with honorable guest’s status. He has promised full assistance to the partisan movement. He suggested organizing public strike in whole Georgia on September 27, day when Abkhazian capital Sukhumi fell, to attract attention of the international community.

Along with the legitimate Abkhazian government and President’s Personal Representative for Abkhazian conflict issues, there is another agency with is engaged in the conflict resolution matters: Minister for Special Affairs Malkhaz Kakabadze – a non-portfolio minister. He participates in all negotiations concerning Abkhazian conflict. In addition to these, there are other influential politicians like Temur Shashiashvili, who also play a considerable role in these processes.

There is absolutely no coordination between these agencies or politicians and quite often the Abkhazian issue becomes an apple of discord between them. All these significantly reduce perspectives of the conflict resolution by the government in the nearest future.

While the Georgian politicians argue on the ways of Abkhazian conflict settlement and restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity, the UN Security Council adopts one more resolution on Abkhazia. According to the resolution adopted on July 29 the UN calls the Abkhaz side for talks with the Georgian side to discuss so called Boden Document, elaborated by the UN Secretary-General’s former representative to Georgia Dieter Boden.

The details of the document on distribution of competencies between Tbilisi and Sukhumi (breakaway Abkhazian capital) remain secret. But the Georgian authorities hail its provisions as they consider Abkhazia within the Georgian state. Tbilisi’s hope on restoration of territorial integrity greatly depends on this key document and on international pressure on Abkhazians, which refuse to discuss the document.

By Giorgi Sepashvili, Goga Chanadiri