DECREE # 515 ISSUED BY THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE GEORIGIAN SSR on Joint Appeal of A. Gorky Abkhaz State University and the Sukhumi Branch of Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University.

In order to secure proper implementation of the decree issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Georgian SSR on “A. Gorky Abkhaz State University and the Sukhumi Branch of Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University”, the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR, having discussed the joint appeal of A. Gorky Abkhaz State University and Sukhumi Branch of Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, decrees:

1. To approve and render support to the Ministry of Education of the Georgian SSR, A. Gorky Abkhazia State University and Sukhumi Branch of Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University in their activities aimed at unification of these two institutions, resumption of educational process and achieving final agreement on timetable for entrance exams.

To consider that carrying out constructive dialogue with professors and teachers of the Universities, representatives of scientific circles, intelligentsia, and students and taking into due respect interests and concerns of all parties involved to be the best way in terms of solution of the existing problems.

2. To entrust the leaderships of A. Gorky Abkhaz State University and Sukhumi Branch of Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University” with a task of continuing negotiation with the Ministry of Education of the Georgian SSR on mutually acceptable time-table for unification of the aforementioned universities and submit a relevant proposal to the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR.

The unification of the Universities shall take place no later than start of new educational year.

After the unification of the aforementioned universities, all previous decrees on this issue shall be invalidated.

3. The Ministry of Education (Comrade Enukidze) shall continue rendering active support to A. Gorky Abkhaz State University and Sukhumi Branch of Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University to secure successful completion of the ongoing activities and entrust him with a task of undertaking all appropriate measures aimed at normalization of educational process at all high educational establishments of Abkhazia.

4. To entrust the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia ASSR (Comrade Anchabadze) with a task of securing the resumption of educational process and organization of entrance exams for 1989/90. To solve on time the existing problem and ensure active involvement of relevant ministries and agencies of the Abkhaz ASSR and the Georgian SSR.

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR N. Chitanava

Head of Staff of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR Z. Makharadze

20 October 1989

(Abkhaz Issue in Official Documents, Legislative and Executive organs of Georgia, International Organizations, 1989-1999, part I, 1989-1995, authors: Vakhtang Kholbaia, Teimuraz Chakhrakia, Rafiel Gelantia, David Latsuzbaia, Tb., 2000, p. 52-53/in Georgian)