Abkhaz Women Association addresses Georgian NGO leaders

On June 9, the Abkhaz Women Association (AWA) addressed leaders of a number of Georgian nongovernmental organizations with an initiative of "declaring a moratorium on any unilateral actions such as visits that have not been sanctioned by both parties, as well as mass meetings, processions and demonstrations in the immediate vicinity of the security zone and the area without heavy military equipment, including those conducted under peaceful slogans."

The authors of the address believe that "the new stage of tension has resulted from unconsidered or sometimes even knowingly provocative actions and statements of new Georgian leaders with regard to South Ossetia and Abkhazia." "Non-finalized with the South Ossetian authorities, the visit of the wife of the Georgian president to this republic which, in addition, took place counter to protests from Ossetian population along with simultaneous concentration of heavy military equipment and armed forces immediately on the border with South Ossetia - all these actions are obviously confrontational. Citizens of Abkhazia, too, cannot remain indifferent towards alarming news coming in from South Ossetia," the Abkhaz women note.

Below is a full-text version of the statement addressed to Naira Gelashvili, Anna Tsvinaria-Abramishvili, Marina Elbakidze, Julia Kharashvili, Marina Pagava, Lelia Gaprindashvili, David Darchiashvili, Alla Gamakharia, Tinatin Khidasheli, Gia Anchbadze, Nodar Sarjveladze and Paata Zakareishvili.

"Developments of the past few weeks again confirm how fragile and unreliable the peace is that has been established in our region. Again, people are agitated; again, South Ossetian and Abkhaz young people are ready to take up arms to protect national dignity and the sovereignty of their Homeland. Again, enrollment in voluntary units is under way in the North Caucasus. As if there had been no ten years plus of relative quiet and peace talks. As if first seeds of trust had not been sown between representatives of the civil societies who began difficult, but necessary dialogue.

The new stage of tension has resulted from unconsidered or sometimes even knowingly provocative actions and statements of new Georgian leaders with regard to South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Non-finalized with the South Ossetian authorities, the visit of the wife of the Georgian president to this republic which, in addition, took place counter to protests from Ossetian population along with simultaneous concentration of heavy military equipment and armed forces immediately on the border with South Ossetia - all these actions are obviously confrontational.

Citizens of Abkhazia, too, cannot remain indifferent towards alarming news coming in from South Ossetia. Against the background of insane rumors, disseminated by some Georgian media outlets, that there are some alleged meetings in support of Saakashvili in Abkhazia, under way is concentration of military equipment and armed forces in the immediate vicinity of the river Inguri. This makes one doubt peaceful intentions of the new Georgian leadership. And especially striking with its cynicism is the action organized by the Georgian party on the bridge across the Inguri on the International Children's Protection Day, June 1, which involved up to 200 children of various ages. Wherein, five-year-old children wearing military uniforms with toy submachine guns in their arms marched under adults' command. We are convinced: politicians using children and women to achieve their aims deserve neither respect nor trust.

We would like to assure Mr. Saakashvili that no one waits for him or his closest relatives and friends in Abkhazia; it is all the more unlikely that he will be met with roses here. For more than ten years already, the people of Abkhazia have been waiting for quite different a thing: a leader to emerge in Georgia, finally, who will have enough political will and courage at last to give an evaluation to what was committed against the people of Abkhazia in 1992-93. As we are deeply convinced, this is first of all necessary to Georgia itself to which it is vital to shape new relations with its neighboring nations - relations based on mutual respect and equality and on the reciprocal consent of the parties.

We hope, distinguished colleagues, that you share our concern. We are convinced that there is a need to do everything possible to prevent populist statements and irresponsible actions of the new Georgian leaders from destroying the peace process.

In this light, we suggest taking joint measures:

1. Declaring a moratorium on any unilateral actions such as visits that have not been sanctioned by both parties, as well as mass meetings, processions and demonstrations in the immediate vicinity of the security zone and the area without heavy military equipment, including those conducted under peaceful slogans. One should realize that any destabilization of the situation in the immediate vicinity of the line of contact between the parties is fraught with provocations and escalation of violence.

2. Organizing as soon as possible a video conference between Sokhumi and Tbilisi for representatives of the public to be able to share opinions about the current situation and develop measures for bringing the tension down.

We must do everything possible to preserve the achievements of the past years - shoots of mutual understanding and respect of each other between the nations which will help us build peaceful future for our descendants."

1. Aida Ladaria, Sokhumi House of Youth, Sokhumi
2. Elena Kobakhia, Sokhumi House of Youth, Sokhumi
3. Arda Inal-Ipa, Humanitarian Programs Center, Sokhumi
4. Liudmila Kupraa, Ajapua, Mothers Movement, Sokhumi
5. Meri Tkhagusheva, Gudauta District Women Association, Gudauta
6. Dalila Pilia, World without Violence, Sokhumi
7. Lialia Chamagua, Aitara, Gudauta
8. Larissa Smyr, City Council member, Sokhumi
9. Tamara Siradze, Mothers Movement, Sokhumi
10. Zaira Lagvilava, Mothers Movement, Sokhumi,
11. Iolanta Otyrba, Sokhumi
12. Guli Kichba, Abkhaz Mothers Movement, Sokhumi
13. Mzia Beiia, Abkhaz Nurses Union, Sokhumi
14. Liana Pachulia, Abkhaz Nurses Union, Sokhumi
15. Liudmila Jinjal, AWA, Sokhumi
16. Saida Alania, Mothers Movement, City Council member, Sokhumi
17. Angela Isakhanian, Mothers Movement, Sokhumi
18. Rimma Adleiba, Mothers Movement, Sokhumi
19. Irina Agrba, Aitara, Sokhumi
20. Isabella Turtseva, AWA, Sokhumi
21. Liudmila Sangulia, Mothers Movement, Sokhumi
22. Aza Agumaa, Mothers Movement, Sokhumi
23. Tsiza Gumba, National Resources, Sokhumi
24. Natella Akaba, AWA, Caucasus Women League, Sokhumi
25. Dodo Bagishvili, Gali
26. Marina Gogokhia, head of the teaching department, School N1, Gali
27. Guli Zakaraia, Savings Bank, Gali
28. Ineza Esebua, Gali
29. Eteri Jologua, Gali
30. Medeia Chkadua, Gali
31. Aza Agumaa, chief of the Gali District Division of Public Education, Gali
32. Khatuna Nakopia, Businesswomen Union, Gali
33. Elmira Nakopia, Businesswomen Union, Gali
34. Alla Khizanishvili, School N1, Gali
35. Diana Pertaia, Gali district administration, Gali
36. Nargiza Shonia, Gali District Women Association, Gali
37. Medeia Kakachia, School N1, Gali
38. Manana Abukhba, headmaster, School N1, Gali
39. Irma Bagatelia, School N1, Gali
40. Esmeralda Ketsbaia, School N1, Gali
41. Nunu Khintbaia, headmaster, School N1, Gali
42. Nana Kulava, Gali
43. Maiia Tsulaia, Gali
44. Maiia Kvaratskhelia, Avant-garde
45. Alla Gergia, kindergarten director, Ochamchira
46. Maiia Labakhua, Alashara Women Association, Ochamchira
47. Taliko Labakhua, school headmaster, Reka
48. Lamara Kuchuberia, Mothers Movement, chief of medical assistant and midwife unit, Reka