STATEMENT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GEORGIA

On 27^th of September 8 years passed by since the fall of Sukhumi, tragedy of Abkhazia.

The forces, based outside the country, forced Georgia to get involved in the war, which resulted in temporary lost of control over the integral part of the country. It destroyed and impoverished the one of the most beautiful part of Georgia. The population of Abkhazia has been divided in two parts - brotherly nationality representatives, which had lived next to each other for centuries and worked hard for prosperity of this part of this land.

Thousands of people have been killed and injured, two thirds of the population - Georgians, Abkhazians, Russians, Armenians, Greeks, Ukrainians, Estonians, have been forced to flee from the region. Economy and traditional way of living have come to an end. The remaining population or those, who returned to home after conflict, live in poverty, criminal situation is beyond the control, Georgians, Abkhazians and other ethnic group representatives are still being killed.

Hundreds of thousand of refugees and IDPs from Abkhazia residing in Georgia and abroad live in very poor conditions. They will never reconcile themselves to the tragic reality of the lost of Abkhazia, their homeland, humiliation and abuse they had undergone.

Unfortunately, efforts of the State and international community, made for full-scale resolution of Abkhaz conflict have not brought about desired results. Main reason for failure is inability to start a dialogue on status of Abkhazia within the Georgian State, for division of power between central and Abkhazian governments, for ensuring economic and social reintegration. Return of IDPs and refugees, restoration of peace and traditional links within society would become a prerequisite for development of Abkhazian people's identity.

The Parliament of Georgia expresses its hope that recent developments in the world, unprecedented consolidation of international community against terrorism, violence, aggressive separatism, new realities would become a clear-cut message for those, who try to destroy world order and is ready to sacrifice lives of peaceful citizens to their own vested interest.

The Parliament of Georgia on occasion of 8^th anniversary of fall of Sukhumi once again expresses its adherence to the peaceful resolution of the conflict. At the same time, it declares that in case of further prolongation of the process of conflict resolution, the State authorities will be forced to use alternative methods for just resolution of the conflict.

The Parliament of Georgia calls upon the international community, UN, OSCE, group of friends of UN Secretary General, mediator - Russian Federation not to spare their efforts and take decisive measures for ensuring of full-scale resolution of the conflict.

Tbilisi, 27 September 2001

(Archive of the Parliament of Georgia)