EXTRACT FROM THE SESSION OF THE PEOPLE’S COUNCIL OF ABKHAZIA

20 March 1919

While speaking Kakuba abused Chkhikvishvili calling him as expropriator that disappointed the deputies and the whole of audience. Many of them jumped up from the seats and were ready to retaliate. Kakuba, changing the tune of his speech still didn’t change his position but left the hall without finishing his presentation. His comrade from the faction Demianov said that Kakuba hadn’t been right to Chkhikvishvili and he knew about his honest political past (everybody applauded).

Then the Resolution by all socialist factions was introduced. . .

Demianov raised the issue on authorization of the Council and pointed that according to the previous agreements he didn’t recognize such right. He was supported by the breakaway group: Tsaguria, Alania, Chanba, Margania. Having discussed this issue they held the model voting. 29 were in favour of authorization, 5 – abstained, against - none.

There are three points in the Resolution: first – about autonomy on the platform declared by the Social-Democrats and the third – about mixed Commission of the Constituent Assembly of Georgia and the Council for elaboration of the Constitution set up on the principle of equal footing. In order to reach the consensus, the second point, after personal consideration, was withdrawn from the agenda. The first point was voted through secret voting. Yes – 27; abstained – 3. Four blank papers weren’t taken into account.

The second point was adopted unanimously, by show.

The amendment on guarantees of break-off with Georgia in case of changing the latter’s political arrangement was rejected by the majority as needless. While adopting the Act on independence the whole audience was applauding wholeheartedly for a few minutes shouting “hurrah”. . .

(Jemal Gamakharia, Badri Gogia, Abkhazia-Historical Region of Georgia. Tbilisi, 1997, p. 433-434/in Russian)