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Various Replies to “Sorry” Campaign

April 26, 2007

iuristi.gifReplies of IDPs residing in Zugdidi and local non-governmental organizations are various to the appeal to Abkhazian people prepared by the Human Rights Center. Their opinions about spreading the public apology differ. It is unacceptable for some of them, while others consider that it is necessary though this form of appealing has been too late. (Photo: Lawyer of the “Human Rights Centre”, Zaza Kvatsabaia)

Representatives of the IDP non-governmental organizations agreed upon the idea that both sides had provocateurs and encouragers in the war.

Merab Khubutia, chairman of the non-governmental organization “Human Rights and Democratic Development”: “I think somebody should certainly apologize for launching the war. However, we, ordinary people do not have to apologize, because similar questions are settled on governmental levels. One more important factor is that the Georgian government should apologize not only to Abkhaz people but to those Georgian IDPs who became victims of the war. The authority is guilty for the war. They could not find the way to resolve the problem and immediately used force. I do not agree with the idea that society should apologize. If society involves the process, it should call upon the government to apologize to both Abkhaz and Georgian people.”

Representative of the same NGO, Kakha Gogokhia, an Abkhazian IDP, considers the appeal is positive. However, he does not share the idea that society should apologize in the name of Georgian warriors. “The appeal might by apt or a bit late too. According to the text we should apologize to everybody including those people who acted as provocateurs in the war. We should say sorry but not to all Abkhaz people, because some of them were initiators of the disaster. I think those people should apologize who governed the country at that time and who was in power to avoid war. I categorically oppose the idea that we must apologize for those Georgian people who were fighting during the war. Many of my relatives and friends fought in Abkhazia and they were fighting for their country and I think they had nothing to apologize for,” said Gogokhia.

Journalist Tamuna Shonia is one of those people who have permanent contact with Abkhaz colleagues and still have many friends in Abkhazia. She thinks that both sides have guilty people and she can apologize for those people who fought in the war. “Apologize should be acceptable form for both sides. If it succeeds, I think it will greatly assist our reconciliation. Both sides have guilty people as well as thousands of innocent people who have become victims of the situation. Apologize is a human manner of solution the problem and it will never do any harm to any side. I have a lot of Abkhaz friends. I can apologize to them in the name of those people who fought in the war for the sake of our friendship,” said Shonia.

Dato Logua, representative of the Youth NGO “Student League”, also appreciates the Sorry Campaign to Abkhaz People. He thinks that relationship between Georgian and Abkhaz people should start from the very beginning. “I think the apology is interesting and useful idea. It will be a kind will from our side. However, I should point out that the text needs a review. For example, the paragraph which states “it is time to give proper names to everything” should be somehow changed. I do not agree with the idea because I think this phrase would rather tense the relationship between us than relieve it. I think, we should start joint life from the very beginning,” said Logua and added that public diplomacy is the best way out.

IDP Kakha Mikelbaia is also ready to say sorry to Abkhaz people. “Generally speaking, I agree with the idea of apologize; however I do not think that only we are guilty for everything. I agree with the statement that we, Georgian and Abkhaz people are not rivals for each other. The appeal states “Let us not divide the people as “ours” and “theirs”; “enemies” or “fraternal people”; “Georgians” and “Abkhazians”. We are not enemies and there is nothing to wage war over.” However I do not agree with the idea that Georgians unleashed the war. Both Abkhaz and Georgian people have fault in it. Nevertheless, it is time to realize everything and admit our mistakes; we should hold out hands to each other. Thus, we will not let our enemy to defeat us.”

While Abkhazian IDPs give estimations to Sorry Campaign and discuss possible outcomes of the initiative, representatives of the Abkhazian Legitimate Government oppose the idea and say that Georgian people have nothing to apologize for.

“I agree neither with the initiative nor the text of the appeal. I cannot understand why I should apology for. Currently no negotiations are being held between Georgian and Abkhaz sides. So, at first we should greet each other and then apologize. I do not think that Georgian population or authority must apologize. Georgia is a state and Abkhaz de-facto Government is set up with separatists. International law does not recognize separatists,” said Tornike Kilanava, Coordinator of the Gali Administrative Board.

Lawyer Zaza Kvatsabaia, coordinator for the Human Rights Center’s Zugdidi office, said that it is necessary to spread special appeal to Abkhaz people. He also speaks about certain phrases from the appeal that is too important for him as an IDP from Abkhazia. “I think the appeal is necessary to be spread. Years have passed by and gulf between Abkhaz and Georgian people gets more and more wide. Time serves those countries and people who have turned us into rivals. Thousands of people died in this provocative war. We have common history, Abkhazian and Georgian people have fought for their homeland for many centuries.”

“As for the context of the appeal, there are some statements which I completely agree with. Georgian people should take responsibility for not having avoided the disaster and we should apologize for that.”

“However I do not agree with the idea that everybody, who was fighting in the war, should not be called decent Georgians. It is not right because they were worried about their country when fighting there; they were not firing at Abkhaz people, they were shooting the enemies of both Georgian and Abkhaz people who unleashed that war. We are obliged to do our best to protect this little nation and save its culture from vanishing,” said Kvatsabaia.

Despite the fact that the “Sorry” Campaign caused various reactions from IDPs residing in Zugdidi and representatives of the local NGOs, most of our respondents said that the Georgia-Abkhazian relationship should get into a new phase. They said that the situation is too delicate and any kind appeals or statements should be thoroughly considered.


Nana Sajaia, Zugdidi

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