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

28 November 1919

The financial-economic crisis in Abkhazia has reached the catastrophic edge. The private initiative takes rather chaotic character.  The chemical productions, as well as tobacco enterprises are facing the great difficulties. As a result of the aforementioned the local democracy and the population is in a grave situation.  The local democratic institutions   Abkhaz People’s Council and its executive body – the Commissariat, as well as the local economic agencies and self-governance bodies fail to fulfill their tasks.  The urgent and decisive measures are necessary to improve the situation.

Proceeding from the aforementioned, the People’s Council of Abkhazia, the local legislative organ considers the following steps to be taken in order to promote the issues relating to the cultural-economic development of Abkhazia:

1. To permit the Commissariat of Abkhazia to export in foreign countries not less than 50 000 pood (1 pood=16,38 kg.) of tobacco leaf, nuts and wine.

2. To permit the Commissariat of Abkhazia to produce and export the wood.

3. To give the right to the Commissariat to monopolize the maize, hay, bean and pork production.

4. The government of the Republic of Georgia shall provide the loan of 10 million roubles with the right to cover it in equal portions from the year of 1922.

5. To regulate the public-values, lands and cultural enterprises located on the territory of Abkhazia, which are now almost deteriorated.

6. The production on behalf of the state shall be under the competence of the Commissariat of Abkhazia;  the Commissariat shall base its operation on the local democratic government – the public and city governing agencies.

Once again we reiterate that the aforementioned measures are necessary for promoting the cultural-economic condition in Abkhazia, which is the autonomous part of the Democratic Republic of Georgia.  For negotiating of these issues with the Government, the  Abkhaz People’s Council nominates the delegation composed of the following representatives: V. G. Gurjua, M. I. Berulava, M. I. Tarnava, I. N. Marghania and G. K. Kvaratskhelia.

The mentioned delegation is authorized to negotiate the aforementioned items with the Government of the Republic of Georgia.

At the same time, the  Abkhaz People’s Council asks the representative of the Government of Georgia I. I. Ramishvili for assistance to this delegation.

Original with relevant signatures. (Sealed).

Authentic with original: Head of Chancellery of the People’s Council of Abkhazia. (Signed).

(Central State Historical Archive of Georgia, f. 1833, desc.1, file 645, p. 7; ibidem, f. 1862, desc. 2, file 120, p. 29)