TO MR. VLADISLAV ARDZINBA

On the basis of the law of Georgia of 11 December 1990 the authority of the deputies of local councils were suspended, and under the law of 29 January 1991 the system of local councils was completely abolished.

According to the Constitutions of the Republic of Georgia and of the Abkhaz ASSR, the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR had to harmonize the Constitution of the Abkhaz ASSR with the Constitution of the Republic of Georgia. This process is inadmissibly procrastinated and may entail certain disadvantages. For example, on 12 March 1991 the session of the local council of people’s deputies was convened in Ochamchire district and Sergey Baghapsh was elected as its chairman. Such act may be defined as violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Georgia.

Such incidents may be repeated on the territory of the Abkhaz ASSR, as You personally, Mr Vladislav, and the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR constantly neglect the legislation of the Republic of Georgia and create the soil to the different officials in Abkhazia for committing the crime against the state.

Your conduct may be considered as abuse of power, which may entail rather grave consequences. With this you pose the threat to the peaceful life of citizens, breed the national hatred and in violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Georgia cause unjustified confrontation between Georgian and Abkhaz peoples.

You, as the educated person and scientist (at least I knew you until now as such) should know that each person, especially the leader, has the obligation to observe the principles of kindness, mutual respect and of high-moral, not to pursue personal ambitions or instigations. Today the fate of the population of Abkhazia (from which more than 47% are Georgians) is under your responsibility; you have no right to make a mistake, as there are no winners in the war between nations. Think again and take the historical lessons, and as a member of the Supreme Council of Georgia take part in its work; and what is more important – you should comply your policy with the legislation of Georgia, under the jurisdiction of which you are currently.

Z. Gamsakhurdia

27 March 1991

(Newspaper “Abkhazetis Khma” /Voice of Abkhazia/, # 55, 29 March 1991)