STATEMENT OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF ABKHAZIA

On January 25, 1992, in relation with the starting of work of the session of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia of the 12-th legislature, the Government of Abkhazia resigned. But as the Government was not formed, the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia’s authority was prolonged by the Supreme Council till May 5, 1992.

Thus, all the members of the Government of Abkhazia, elected by the Supreme Council of Abkhazia of the 11-th legislature, after the fifth of May, forfeited their authority.

 Since May 6, 1992, the Supreme Council of Abkhazia has started formation of the new Government.

Since May 9, 1992 on the position of the acting Minister of Interior of Abkhazia, was appointed the Colonel of Militia, Ankvab Alexander Zolotinskovich and since that date he had to start performing of his duties. Despite this, the former acting Minister of Interior of Abkhazia, Lominadze G.N., referring to the fact that he was appointed by the order of the Ministry of Interior of Georgia, denied till the changing of this order to obey to the decision of the Supreme council of Abkhazia and to leave the office space in the building of Ministry of Interior of Abkhazia. As Lominadze G.N. declared, he received directive from the Minister of Interior of Georgia Gventsade R.L. to disobey to the decision of the Supreme Council.

In relation with the above-mentioned, the Supreme Council of Abkhazia considers it appropriate to make the following statement:

Lominadze G.N. almost for three years worked in the position of the acting Minister of Interior of Abkhazia, in violation with the Constitution of Abkhazia, without being appointed to this position by the Supreme Council of Abkhazia and thus performance of the duties of the Minister of Abkhazia was initially unlawful.

On January 30, 1992, the Supreme Council of Abkhazia, having discussed at the session the issue of Law enforcement Bodies’ work on fighting against the criminality, with the overwhelming majority of votes considered the work of acting Minister Lominadze G.N. as unsatisfactory, indicating at the same time that while the formation of new Government it is necessary to solve the issue of expediency of his appointment to this position.

That is why, Lominadze G.N. was not recommended in the composition of the new Government.

In these circumstances, reference to the fact that Lominadze G.N. cannot be dismissed without the order of the Ministry of Interior of Georgia is a rude infringement of the Constitution of Abkhazia. Based from the above-mentioned, as a consequence, as a Minister of the Interior of Abkhazia can be appointed a person, which is not included in the composition of the Government of Abkhazia.

Such approach is unlawful. There is worth mentioning that Lominadze G.N., clearly abusing own powers, without the agreement with the Supreme Council, declared Martial law, in the Ministry of Interior of Abkhazia.

The contents of this measure can be assessed as the direct threat to the legitimate authorities and as a desire to keep own position by any means.

All the mentioned caused acute escalation of the difficult situation in Abkhazia.

Based on the above-mentioned, the supreme Council of Abkhazia appeals to the State Council and to the Ministry of Interior of Georgia, calling to respect the constitutional arrangement of the statehood of Abkhazia.

City of Sukhumi, May 12, 1992.

(The newspaper “Respublika Abkhazia”, No 85, March 14, 1992).