Abkhaz public, political organizations make joint statement

The beginning of the so-called unification process in Georgia is its home affair. However, some statements made by President Saakashvili give reasons to believe he has not abandoned the idea of drawing Abkhazia into this "process," too. There are not any legal or political grounds for such a position, though.

Abkhazia is shaping a democratic, constitutional and sovereign state resulting from the historic struggle of the Abkhaz people for self-determination. This is their will, enshrined in the 1994 Constitution after the end of the 1992-93 Georgian-Abkhaz war.

Abkhazia is not going to abandon this course.

We hoped the political retirement of Shevardnadze, the initiator of the invasion of the Abkhaz land, will start constructive dialogue between Georgia and Abkhazia.

However, statements made by President Saakashvili before and after the events in Ajaria give evidence that revanchist sentiments dominate the Georgian leadership. Aggressive aims are presented to the world community disguised as fighting for democracy. There are reasons to believe the ruling political elite are not going to learn their lesson from the Georgian-Abkhaz war.

Such policy of the Georgian leadership once again convinces the people of Abkhazia of the correctness of the course to shape an independent, democratic state.

In this context, all political and public organizations in Abkhazia warn the Georgian leadership against any actions that can cause irretrievable damage to the established fragile peace. This would not only entail a disruption of the political settlement process in Georgian-Abkhaz relations under the UN aegis, but also make coexistence of the two nations impossible.

Mothers for Peace and Social Justice Movement
Women's Association of Abkhazia
Children's Foundation
Aitaira Public and Political Organization
Amtsakhara Public and Political Organization
United Abkhazia Public and Political Organization
People's Party
Aidgylara People's Forum of Abkhazia
Akh'atsa Public Movement
Communist Party of the Republic of Abkhazia
Independent Trade Unions Federation of the Republic of Abkhazia
Humanitarian Programs Centre
Armenian Community of Abkhazia
Compatriots of Russia in Abkhazia Union
Abkhazia Defenders Union

Sokhumi, 6 May 2004