In the capital of Georgia, political and public figures commemorated the events of April 9, 1989

A roundtable "April 9: Lessons of the Past", dedicated to the events 19 years ago, was held at the Tbilisi International Press Centre of the RIA "Novosti", the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent informs.

We remind you that 19 years ago a many thousand strong rally of activists of the national movement in Rustaveli Avenue was dispersed by militaries of the Soviet Army who acted with application of tear gas, sapper spades and heavy armoured vehicles. As a result of dispersal, 21 persons were killed, and many more suffered.

The dispersal of the peaceful rally in Tbilisi received a broad resonance in the world, and precisely two years later, on April 9, 1991, the leader of the national movement Zviad Gamsakhurdia, future President of Georgia, announced restoration of Georgia's independence on the basis of the Independence Act of the first Republic of Georgia on May 26, 1918.

Making comparison of the events on April 9, 1989, with the events on November 7, 2007, Nana Kakabadze, leader of the NGO "Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights", has noticed that for her April 9 is the day of pride, and November 7 is a shameful and offensive day.

"Then, already on the next day they announced what sort of gas had been used, for the doctors to know how to treat. And now, we all were told that the gas used on November 7 was a useful and necessary means," she has noted.

"It is clear that the USSR would not admit separation of the Republic. And on November 7, the authorities were overwhelmed by the only beastly desire to preserve their posts," Akakiy Asatiani, leader of Georgian traditionalists, has noted when speaking with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.