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1918. Georgia gained its independence as a result of the collapse of the Russian Empire - that colonial domination was forcefully established in 1801.

 

1918-21. Georgia emerged on the world map, again as a republic. At the time, the Russian-Georgian border lay between River Jubgha and Psou (West of Sochi), in a territory called the Imereti Valley. However, under an agreement concluded on 7 May 1920 between Georgia and Russia, the Georgian state border was re-adjusted (Article 3) “... From the Black Sea along the river Psou up to the Mountain Akhakh As, through the mountains Akhakh As and Aghaneta”.

 

February 16-25, 1921. Bolshevik army units N 9 and 11 invaded Georgia and overthrew the legitimate democratic government.  Soviet Bolshevik rule was established on the entire territory of Georgia.

1921-1991. During the Soviet Occupation, major demographic and territorial alterations were made by the Moscow Bolsheviks. The Russian Soviet Socialist Federation assumed a significant portion of what had been Georgian territory and assimilated populations living there. This included those living in the east, between the rivers Jubgha and Psou.  Today, that territory is included in Krasnodarskiy Kray of the Russian Federation. This period of Georgian history is well presented and documented in the Museum of Soviet Occupation in Tbilisi.

 

1989. The weakening of the Soviet regime in Russia resulted in anti-Soviet movements within Georgia who wanted to secede from Soviet Influence. These efforts, primarily peaceful, triggered both internal and external oppressive measures from the Soviet Union. Soviet Army was called upon to disperse assemblies, including one on the 18 July, where Soviet troops relocated their army within the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. On 9 April, a violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrators in the capital city of Tbilisi resulted in a number of deaths and numerous injuries.

 

28 October 1990. For the first time within the territory of the Soviet Union, democratic, multi-party and free elections were held – in Georgia. A Supreme Council of Georgia was elected with hundreds of international observers monitoring it. The Communist party had been defeated in Georgia.

 

9 April, 1991. Georgia adopted its Declaration of Independence based on a referendum held on March 31. Georgian Independence Day is celebrated on May 26.

 

21 October 1991.  Former Soviet republics signed an agreement (Belovezha Agreement) on the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The possibility of uniting the former Soviet states and creating a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was on the agenda that day but many felt this would have opened the door to a revival of the old Russian Empire. Georgia refused to be a part of the CIS. The reaction of Mikhail Gorbachev, President of the USSR, was decisive: “If Georgia does not sign the CIS agreement, it will face problems in Abkhazia”.

 

2 January 1992. With support from Russia, the newly-elected government of Georgia was overthrown and the country dissolved into a civil crisis. A temporarily “elected” military council took power, but with a loose hold on the government.

 

Beginning of 1992. Georgia began, once again, to work on establishing democratic institutions and a free, civil society. The Military Council was transformed into a State Council and the Georgian government was freed from military leadership.

 

End of February 1992. The governmental forces of Georgia’s State Council moved troops toward the Georgian-Russian border at the River Psou and across all of West Georgia, including Abkhazia. These military detachments did not meet any resistance on the territory of Abkhazia during the campaign, nor did they commit any violations of law toward the population of this territory (regardless their ethnicity).Governmental forces of Georgia’s State Council left the territory of the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic without any excesses and returned to the place of their permanent disposition.  

 

10 August 1992. The State Council of the Republic of Georgia adopted a Decree of Presidium on Imposing Emergency Measures on the Movement of Railway Transport due to a critically tense situation on the Western Georgia Section of the South Caucasus Railroad. (Annex 1)  

 

14 August 1992.  The governmental forces of Georgia’s State Council, in accordance with the leadership of the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic, started moving troops across the territory of Abkhazia. This movement was aimed at freeing  civilian members of the State Council of Georgia who had been kidnapped and taken hostage. Another reason for troops entering the region was that there had been frequent robberies on the South Caucasian Railway. Despite the agreement [what agreement? Between whom?], mono-ethnically composed detachments of interior paramilitary forces, under the command of the Head of the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic, which was mostly manned by conscripts, showed resistance to the Governmental armed forces at the so called Okhurei Post (a populated area next to river Ghalidzga, in the Ochamchire Region). That same hour, special paramilitary groups of these illegal detachments blew up a bridge on the Tamishi section of the Tbilisi-Sokhumi highway. The generally peaceful lives of West Georgian civilians were under attack. The Georgian government tried to manage the crisis by negotiating guarantees from the Russian military and political leadership that dominated the region. Several ceasefire documents were signed, including the following:

 

29 August 1992 (Sochi). “Protocol of Consultations on the Regulation of the Conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia” (Annex 2). Parties agreed on a ceasefire. The Russian Federation confirmed its readiness (Point 6, Paragraph 2) to manifest intermediary efforts in conflict settlement.

 

3 September 1992. “Summary Protocol of the Moscow Meeting” (Annex 3).  Georgian governmental leaders and the separatist leaders of Abkhazia gathered in Moscow together with Russian and North Caucasus representatives to form a commission on control and inspection. Their mandate was to carry out “disarmament and disbanding of illegal armed formations and groups and their removal from Abkhazia”. At this meeting, a formal resolution on Georgia’s territorial integrity and its inviolability was adopted and signed by all parties.  By this resolution, Abkhazia again affirmed its presence within Georgia.

 

1-3 October 1992. Despite the Moscow Agreement, illegally-armed formations composed mainly of Abkhaz separatists[1] and Russian citizens[2] conducted ethnic cleansing and the mass execution of peaceful Georgian-speaking populations in Gagra.  This was followed by the forced deportation of local populations and the destruction of their houses. (The first stage of ethnic cleansing: Gagra, approximately 27 thousand IDPs, Gudauta –8 thousand.)

 

November 1992 – May 1993. After conquering Gagra, the illegally-armed militia, still composed mainly of Abkhaz Separatists and Russian citizens, attacked Sokhumi. Among these forays – mostly ineffective - were large-scale assaults on the 5^th of January and 15-16 March 1993.

 

14 May 1993. An agreement on cease-fire and non-resumption of hostilities was signed in Moscow with participation of E. Shevardnadze and B. Yeltsin. Almost immediately, this agreement was violated on several occasions by the illegal formations of the separatists and Russian citizens – July 2 on Tamishi, July 5-6 on Gumista (the territory of the 6^th battalion), lower Eshera, so called “in between bridges”, July 7-9 in the direction of Shroma-Kamani).

 

27 July 1993. An Agreement on Ceasefire in Abkhazia and its Controlling Mechanisms (Annex 4) was concluded with the Russian Guarantees. The government of the Russian Federation, by its Order, appointed a Chairman of the Committee of Emergency Situations and the Liquidation of Natural Disasters – Sergei Shoigu, to chair the Russian part of the Joint Commission on Regulation of Conflict in Abkhazia. Shoigu carried out his duties one-sidedly  and demilitarized Sokhumi of Georgian armed forces. Georgian military equipment and the ammunition of the 23^rd brigade were moved to Poti via Russian military naval vessels. The Georgian 23^rd brigade was disbanded. Abkhazian interior troops should have been formed out of 23^rd brigade and Abkhaz detachments, but this did not happen due to time shortages.  Shoigu never disarmed the Separatist militias even though it had been envisaged by the Agreement. on 13 September 1993 (three days before the assault on Sokhumi) after Sokhumi had been fully demilitarized and government forces withdrawn, Shoigu, n order to avoid responsibility, was dismissed from his position by the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation (the Statute on the Further Activities for Regulating Conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia, September 13, 1993, No. 907) (Annex 5).

 

July-August 1993. The UN Security Council adopted three resolutions (S/849/1993/, S/854/1993/, S/858/1993/) on Georgia and introduced the mandate of UN military observers to observe the regime of ceasefire (Annex 6).  

 

16 September 1993.  In violation of the July 27, 1999 Moscow Agreement on Ceasefire in Abkhazia and its Controlling Mechanisms, the illegally-armed formations of Abkhaz Separatists and Russian citizens started an offensive against the peaceful civilian population of Sokhumi.  After a two-day assault, the separatists had evicted approximately 107 thousand local residents. The leaders of the Supreme Council and Government of the Abkhazian Autonomous Republic as well as the Mayor’s office were executed along with other civilian officials, members of the public and bodyguards. Because Sokhumi was under siege, people ran to the mountain passes of the Caucasus to save their lives. In the horrible weather and treacherous condition, parts of the population perished. (This is the second stage of ethnic cleansing: City of Sokhumi – approximately 35 thousand IDP; Sokhumi region – 22 thousand IDP).  

 

Georgia’s central authorities carried out their contractual obligations and, within the agreed timeline, withdrew military munitions and detachments of MoD from Sokhumi. The Abkhaz separatists violated the same agreement, a violation that was documented by the UN observers and the main guarantor and mediator – Boris Pastukhov – Representative of the Russian President and then deputy Foreign Minister of Russia.

 

28 September 1993. After capturing Sokhumi, the illegally-armed Separatists and Russian citizens began forays in the direction of Gali and Ochamchira, an area outside the boundaries of the July 27 Agreement. Despite a formidable Georgian military presence in Ochamchira, the Georgian army left the Georgian-speaking populations of Gali and Ochamchira to fend for themselves. The citizenry, approximately 125,000 people, escaped by reaching River Enguri before September 30. This third stage of ethnic cleansing: Ochamchira – approximately 38 thousand, Tkvarcheli – approximately 4 thousand, Gali – 82 thousand.

Despite the fighting, the majority of the population of Gali – approximately 40-45 thousand people, was able to spontaneously return to their homes after the separatist army loosened its control over this very large region.  The Gali remained firmly settled there until the events of May 1998.

 

Besidesthese forced evictions of Georgians, approximately 100 thousand people of different nationalities left Abkhazia as a result of the “governance” of Sokhumi’s separatist regime. These ethnicities included the Abkhaz, Russians, Greeks, Estonians, Jews until, finally, the aggregate number of displaced populations reached more than 400,000 local residents, more than two thirds’ Abkhazia’s population.

 

1 December 1993. The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Geneva and agreed to take responsibility for the non-resumption of fire and the immediate resolution of issues related to the IDPs and refugees. (Annex 7)

 

Instead of complying with the agreement, Abkhaz separatists repeatedly launched punitive operations against the Georgian-speaking population of Gali region: December 7-15, 1993; January 10-12, 1994; February 6, 1994; August 27, 1994; September 2, 1994; September 25, 1994; December 25, 1994; January 1997; March, April and May 1998. The total number of people executed is 2200, mostly women, children and the elderly. 

December 1993. In order to end the confrontation, the government of Georgia decided to become a member of CIS and seek support from its neighbors. Gorbachev’s comment from October 1991 proved to be real. As soon as Georgia joined CIS, the conflict areas appeared to calm down.

 

13 January 1994.  At a meeting in Geneva, the parties agreed to the return and repatriation of IDPs and Refugees (Annex 8). This agreement has not been yet fulfilled.

 

4 April 1994.  A quadripartite agreement on Voluntary Return of Refugees and Displaced Persons was signed in Moscow, between the Georgian and Abkhaz separatists, the Russian Federation and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (Annex 9). Pursuant to the document, commissions were to be established with participation from all sides to look after the return process of IDPs and Refugees. The Abkhazian separatists, with the UN silent, have not complied. Not a single IDP has returned under the terms of this agreement. 

 

14 May 1994. Eight months after the armed confrontations stopped, the Georgian and Abkhaz sides signed a bilateral agreement on a ceasefire and separation of forces (Annex 10). Pursuant to this document, Russian Army units dominating in the region were to be deployed under the Mandate of CIS Peacekeepers on June 21. Later, they were renamed as CIS’s Collective Peacekeeping Forces. According to the agreement, the CIS’s Collective Peacekeeping Forces are responsible for:

 

6 December 1994.  A declaration expressing concern regarding ethnic cleansing of the Georgian population in Abkhazia was adopted at the OSCE summit in Budapest.

 

 

19 January 1996. The CIS Council of the Heads adopted a Decision on Measures of Settlement of the Conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia (Annex 11). This resolution condemns the destructive position of the Abkhaz side that seeks to hinder any conflict resolution and the return of IDPs/refugees in safety and dignity. The CIS states collectively refuse to provide any kind of military support to the Abkhaz separatists. They also sever economic and trade relations with the de facto authorities in Abkhazia.

 

2-3 December 1996. Another declaration expressing concern regarding ethnic cleansing of the Georgian population in Abkhazia is adopted at the OSCE summit in Lisbon.

 

10 December 1996. A Joint UN and OSCE Office for Human Rights was established in Sokhumi. However, activities of the Human Rights Office have not brought any tangible results.

 

28 March 1997. The CIS Council of Heads passed a resolution developing a conflict resolution process. 

 

9 July 1997. The OSCEParliamentary Assembly passed a resolution on the Abkhazia (Georgia) Conflict. The resolution states that the conflict shall be resolved in compliance with the principles recognized by international law, respective resolutions of UN Security Council, OSCE summits of Budapest and Lisbon, EC parliamentary Assembly and CIS resolutions. All these reaffirm the territorial integrity of Georgia and provide significant autonomy to Abkhazia as well as highlight the need to overcome results of ethnic cleansing pursuant to the OSCE Lisbon summit resolution.

 

17-19 November 1997.  Final Statements were made in Geneva on the results of resumed part of the meetings between Georgian and Abkhaz sides. The Russian Federation was considered a party contributing to peace. An issue was raised regarding the status of UN Secretary General’s Group of Friends: France, Germany, Russian Federation, Great Britain, and the US.  Negotiation and interaction mechanisms between Georgia and Abkhaz were developed and a Coordinating Council was established, together with three working groups. These groups were to work on issues related to security, return of IDPs and Refugees and socio-economic issues.

 

19-26 May 1998. The Abkhaz Separatist armed formations conducted another wide scale punitive operation against 50,000 Georgians in the Gali region, razing 600 homes in a single week. Civilians sought shelter in the Gali forests and adjacent villages of Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha regions.

 

1 December 1998. At the OSCE Ministerial Council’s 7^th meeting in Oslo, a resolution was adopted whereby the May violence and forceful eviction of Georgian citizens was condemned. They invoked numerous UN documents along with those of the OSCE Budapest summit, and especially the Lisbon High Ranking Meeting Declarations. Once again, Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty was re-stated and upheld under the traditional, internationally recognized boundaries. The OSCE Ministers condemned terrorist activities and stated the outmost importance of refraining from the use of force. Again, they called for the safe and speedy return of IDPs and refugees to the Gali region and concluding bilateral talks on this issue as s prerequisite for complete settlement of the conflict.

 

October 1999.  The Abkhaz de-facto officials held a referendum on Abkhazian independence. The results have not been recognized by the international community. 

 

1994-2008: With support and direction from government elites of the Russian Federation, Abkhaz de facto officials repeatedly held “elections”, results of which have not been recognized by the International Community.

 

 

19 November 1999. At the OSCE summit in Istanbul, another declaration expressing concern regarding ethnic cleansing of the Georgian population in Abkhazia is adopted.

 

23 February 2001. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted a decision to establish an OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Committee on Abkhazia, Georgia.  (Annex 12)

 

2002 June. In violation to all the existing norms of International Law and the Constitution of Georgia, the Russian Federation launched massive issuance of passports to the inhabitants of Abkhazia. At the same time, the Russian Federation imposed visa restrictions on the citizens of Georgia.

 

2003. The special representative of the UN Secretary General in Georgia, Dieter Boden, developed the core principles of power separation (division) between Sokhumi and official Tbilisi (Annex 13). The Abkhaz de facto authorities refuse to consider the document.

 

1-5 July 2005. The OSCE adopted another resolution - the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia. (Annex 14)

 

May 2006. The Georgian government offered the Abkhaz de facto officials a conflict settlement “road map”. The Abkhaz de facto authorities did not consider the mentioned document and proposed their own initiatives, lacking the sense of reality perception – “the key to the future”. 

 

24 July 2006. The Georgian government conducted a police operation in upper Kodori Gorge – an area embracing Upper Abkhazia. Inhabitants from that region who had fled the territory returned to their homes. Civil order was re-established during the period from 2006-2008 and a new highway, Ormalety, was built and infrastructure, rehabilitated. The UNOMIG observer post in Ajara was also rebuilt by the Georgian government.

 

1993-2008 (March). During this fifteen year period, the UN Security Council adopted 38 resolutions and more than 70 Secretary General reports were written about the satiation in Georgia. All of them reiterate and uphold the territorial integrity and inviolability of Georgia, as well as call for the return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes with full restitution of their property rights. The Abkhaz de facto authorities ignore the international institutions including all UN attempts for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

 

March 2008.The Russian Federation declared its withdrawal from the January 19 1996 CIS Decision. This decision puts constraints on providing any kind of military, economic and trade support to the de facto authorities in Abkhazia.

 

 

 

 

 

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