Independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia has been Recognized by Russia!

The beginning of August, was marked with sorrow and loss as well as fear of war spreading to a wider region; after the attack of Georgian forces to Republic of South Ossetia. Many people fled from their homes, were killed in an unexpected heavy night attack on the 7th-8th and the fightings continued a while. Later, the Abkhaz troops moved to re-obtain their land (Kodor) that was invaded by Georgian forces 2 years ago illegaly and against all pacts and agreements.
They managed to win this victory.
The second part of August has been marked with celebrations of victory and last monday the Russian Duma, tuesday (26.08.08) the Russian president Medvedev recognized the independent status of two Republics: South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Celebrations of first official recognition was like a 3 day festival in Abkhazia, with a lot ofAbkhaz flags, accompanied by South Ossetian, Adyghe, Russian and even Confederation (1921) and Chechen flags.
Abkhazian president and people repeat they do not think of joining to Russia and Russia did not give them their independence! Abkhazia has been independent for 15 years and this 30th of September, being the Victory Day (15th) will be a great day since the 15 years of economic blockade is over this year and that with the recognition starting with Russia, people will have more power to make their lives better and to live in a fully democratic, independent country. The recognition of Abkhazia, is also a power for the recognition of Abkhaz statehood, language, culture and life style around the world- which the Georgians had tried to wipe for long.
Apsny Forever!
For photos on celebrations:
http://picasaweb.google.com/abkhaziadiary/Celebrations
http://picasaweb.google.com/abkhaziadiary/CossackConcert

Diaspora Awake!

Caucasian Diaspora in Turkey actively showing reaction to lack of true information in the Turkish media and doing protests against the Georgian government!
What they have done:
*There are several press relases up to now by the federation, associations, foundations etc.

9th August 2008- The Associations in Istanbul came together to judge what is to be done. They decided to establish a Crisis Committee for South Ossetia. The aim founding this Committee is try to organize humanitarian help for Southern Ossetia, inform the press, organize protest etc..

9th August 2008- Protest Against Georgia (Taksim Square-Istanbul-Organized by Jineps (Cuacasian) Newspaper).

10th August- The Caucasus- Ossetian Solidary Committe Founded (It is composed of 7 members- the Chairman is Remzi Yildirim- Who is also an Ossetian in Istanbul).

10th August- The information and press groups of the Solidarity Commitee is founded. There are several miss information in Turkish press and TV. They are talking about those who died like they are Georgians but there is no information about more than 2000 Ossettians who are assassinated during the war, we preapared a document and sent to all newpapers to be used)

11th August- Petition for South Ossetia is opened

13th August 2008- Two Protests and press releases have taken placein front of Georgian Embassy in Ankara and Consulate in Istanbul (In London a group will also decided to the the same yesterday)..Istanbul protest is organized by The Caucasus- Ossetian Solidary Committe, supported by all other organizations (Like the Friends of Abkhazia, The Caucasus Foundation, Abkhaz Cultural Association, The Caucasus Forum, all other organizations in Istanbul and volunteers). Almost 250 people were there. The police did not let the groups to cross the street but the group walked with South Ossetian and Abkhazian flags and the press release is read (slogans like , Peace in The Cuacasus, Independent Abkhazia and Ossetia, we do not want war in our motherlands, Stop Genocid in South South Ossetia etc). .Link: (It is Turkish but you may see the pictures) http://www.ajanskafkas.com/haber,19896,cerkesler_gurcistani_protesto_etti.htm.

Ankara protest is organized by The Caucasus Federation and Ossetian Forum.

End of clashes in Kodor

News arrived this morning that Abkhaz flag flies over Kodor region invaded by Georgians in 2006!
The fighting and clashes have come to an end!
Peace in Abkhazia! Peace in the World!
Long live Independent Abkhazia!!!

Abhazya ve Güney Osetya'nın bağımsızlığı tanınmalıdır!

Abhazya ve Güney Osetya'nın bağımsızlığı tanınmalıdır!

Geçtiğimiz hafta yaşanan olaylar, modern teknolojinin bile önüne geçen politikalar olabileceğini ve teknolojinin kısa sürede binlerce insanın hayatını almak, koca bir şehri yok etmek ve suçu bir başkasına atmak için yönlendirebileceğini gösterdi.

Yaşadığımız günlerde Kafkasya'nın de fakto yani uygulamada bağımsız cumhuriyetlerinden Güney Osetya'da büyük bir katliam yaşandı. Peki bu olaylarda suçlu kim? Daha doğru söylemek gerekirse en suçlu kim?

Bu katliamı yapanlar mı? Yani, elindeki, bu kadar kısa sürede nasıl geliştiği apaçık belli olan silah teknolojisini bir halk üzerinde denemeye cesaret bulan Gürcü askeri birlikleri mi? Ya da bu askeri birliklere katliam emri veren Gürcistan hükümeti mi? Yoksa bu hükümetin askeri güç ve politikalarına destek veren dış güçler mi? Hepsi de bu katliamın bir parçası değiller mi sizce?

Osetya'da Gürcü güçlerinin açtığı ateş sivilleri vurdu, Tsinkal şehrini tamamiyle yerle bir etti. Bizce katliamın asıl nedeni, Gürcistan hükümetinin, aralıktaki NATO toplantısına sözde toprak bütünlüğünü oluşturmuş olarak katılmak istemesidir. Rusya müdahale etmeseydi bu acımasız katliamın Abhazya'da da devam edeceği apaçık ortadadır. Sovyetler Birliği'nin dağılmasının ardından Gürcistan'ın silahlandırılmasına destek olan devletlerin, bu ülkenin elde ettiği silah ve askeri gücü öncelikle Abhazya ve Güney Osetya karşısında kullanacağını biliyor olmaları gerekir. O zaman, Gürcistan Hükümeti'ni silahlandıran devletler de, Güney Osetya katliamında Gürcistan Hükümeti kadar suçludur.

Planlanmış olduğu asker yoğunluğu ve silah gücünden belli olan Güney Osetya'daki katliamın tam anlamıyla bir etnik temizlik haline gelmemesi ve Abhazya'da da benzer bir durum yaşanmaması için, Rusya'nın, işgalci Gürcü birliklerine müdahalesi bir gereklilikti. Amerika ve İngiltere, insan haklarından ve insanların canlarından daha çok Gürcistan'ın -aslında hiç de gerçekçi olmayan- toprak bütünlüğüne önem verdiklerini göstererek bu katliama seyirci kalmışlardır.

Basın ise gözlerini gerçeklere kapatıp, internet yoluyla Osetya'dan direkt olarak ulaşan ve Oset Halkının dramını yansıtan gerçek görüntüleri kullanmak yerine, Gürcistan'ın işgalini haklı göstermeye çalışan yanlı görüntüleri yayınlamakta ısrar etmektedir. Şimdi sormak lazım, dünya kamuoyunun Güney Osetya'da ve Abhazya'da yaşananlarla ilgili doğru bilgi kaynaklarına ulaşmasını engelleyen hangi yasaklar ya da politikalardır?

SSCB'nin dağılmasının ardından, Gürcistan'ın üç farklı devlet başkanıyla yaşadığı üç farklı savaş, onun, dağılma sırasındaki sınırlarıyla hiç bir zaman tanınamayacağının, bu sınırlarla varolamayacağının kanıtıdır. Gürcistan ve diğer dünya ülkeleri, Abhazya ve Güney Osetya'yı tanımak zorundadır. Çünkü, yaşadığımız yüzyılda bu halkların hatta Gürcistan'ın, özgür ve güven içinde yaşayabilmesinin tek yolu budur.

The President addressed fellow citizens

The President addressed fellow citizens to protect calmness, vigilance and certified that the government of Abkhazia armed forces will make everything necessary to meet the requirements of the constitution of Republic Abkhazia.

10/08/2008 20:30 ABKHAZIA, SUKHUM
Automatic online translation- roughly corrected for untranslated words only!
Follow the president website for full translations to be published soon.

The respected compatriots!

I turn myself to you in connection with the last events. You know, what heaviest situation occurred in South Osetia as a result the new aggression of Georgia against our brothers.

Georgian army achieves genocide of the people of South Osetia by its inhuman, barbarous actions. After equaling from face of the earth the capital - Tskinval, having completely destroyed many ossetic villages, the leaders of Georgia bared its beast face.

All these days I am located on coupling constant with President Eduard Kokoty. The swiftly developing situation requires from us coordination of actions. Therefore, as you know, the Security Council of the country works in the nonstop regime.

In accordance with the existing understandings, Abkhazia undertook the number of the measures of diplomatic and military nature. The solution about the introduction into the zone of the limitation of the armaments of the subdivisions of Abkhazian army was accepted.

Against the background events in South Osetia sharply aggravated situation in the upper part of Kodor Gorge. In the recent days in this region the Georgian armed forces twice increased their contingent. In the gorge heavy combat technology and artillery installations of salvo fire was introduced.

This course of events required from me special actions. Therefore we accelerated taking the measures of military nature, which planned earlier.

You know about the solid position of Abkhazian management on Kodor Gorge. For two years we issued a call participants in the peaceful process to influence for Georgia so that she would derive her subdivisions, which are located in the upper part of Kodor Gorge in the disturbance of Moscow cease-fire agreement.

At my numerous encounters with the diplomats of the United States of America, Germany, the ambassadors of EU countries we imperatively required contributing to the fulfillment of all existing with the Georgian side understandings. This, first of all, concerned Kodor Gorge and conclusion with Georgia of agreement about [nevozobnovlenii] of military actions.

As you see, our calls to solve problems by peaceful means did not enjoy success. Despite the fact that the UN Security Council repeatedly required from Georgia fulfilling of Moscow agreement, official Tbilisi continued to ignore these calls.

We always confirmed our intention to free gorge from the Georgian military and marionette structures illegally located in it. And the ways of the peaceful permission of this problem at the same time persistently searched for, proposing different trade-off settlements.

However, last events in South Osetia and provocation from the Georgian side in the zone of the responsibility of peacemaking forces, and also nature of reaction to the South-Ossetian catastrophe of European and Western countries, their frank pro-Georgian position in the estimation of events, convinced us of the fact that the policy of double standards can be wrapped up for the Abkhazian people and the state by new tragedy.
We were convinced of the fact that in this situation the peaceful dialogue cannot have positive effect.

Based on this I accepted the solution about the beginning of the military phase of the permission of Kodor problem. The second day our aviation and artillery deliver impacts on the places for the dislocation of Georgian subdivisions.

In connection with the military provocations, which occurred the day before at night in the safety zone, the firing of Abkhazian posts from the Georgian side, accepted the solution about the introduction of the subdivisions of Abkhazian army into The Galski region, into the zone of the responsibility of collective peacemaking forces. About all our actions were notified and commanded by peacemaking forces, and the mission of United Nations.

During the complete understanding of the fact that this is the disturbance of Moscow agreement, we, nevertheless, was made this decision, since another output to us no one left.

I again repeat, that our actions are absolutely substantiated, they are directed toward providing of safety of people, Abkhazian state.

I signed edict about the partial mobilization and the introduction of martial law on the part of the territory of Abkhazia.

The parliament of republic approved this solution, and now are conducted the necessary organizational- mobilization works.

In this situation I call to the retention of calmness, vigilance even I certify, that the government of Abkhazia, armed forces will make entire necessary for your protection, for meeting of requirements of the constitution of republic Abkhazia”.

On Abkhazia

Sukhum, 09.08.08

Today, the day started with a call from a Russian woman asking for her son and husband having a holiday in Sukhum. She said their phone is not working, and asked me if it is peacefull in Abkhazia. I said everything is fine and peaceful, and life is just going as normal. She asked if there is electricty, I said yes we have everything, life is just as normal as it is.

Than I received news from a friend saying Abkhaz forces have moved in to upper- Kodor valley, that belonged to our territory but was invaded by Georgian troops in 2006 against the Nonaggression pact signed in Moscow in 2004. They have received two decisions by the UN but did not take their forces back. There were some information that the Georgians were bringing soldiers to this area and would attack Abkhazia. The Abkhaz forces, seeing Georgia will never solve the situation in peacefull ways and may attack fiercefully as she did to South Ossetia; have started taking the land that was rightfully theirs.

I left to the sea side. There was a military act taking place, necessary for territorial integrity of Abkhazia, but it would not stop me enjoying a restfull and sunny saturday by the sea coast. That was same for other people. (See the pics) Tourists and locallers all enjoyed the sun and the sea, some tourist were having fun with a boat game, kids were jumping from high ports, dolphins were jumping up and down in the open sea.

10.08.08

Today, the day started with tanks passing by our window, all the Abkhaz forces were being carried towards the Kodor region. People got out to watch the mobilization (mostly women). There was a meeting in the Mescid, and men came together to discuss meeting points in case of emergency. There were some ships sailing in the sea. Big ships. Some people said they arrived during the night. Later, I got a call from my aunt saying that navy was in Abkhazia and my cousin read it in the news. The same time I received the news that there were navy ships in the sea one street from my house, my cousin in Germany gave me the news. The information technology is amazing and it is interesting to see how this small community famous for spreading every word in minutes is small in distributing such an important information. We left for the sea side to swim, have a sun bath and see the ships. As usual, we were not the only ones. Than we had lunch with other friends, enjoyed a cup of tea and cake at the apra cafe on the port.

We could see the ships (protecting the gulf distributed like a crescent). Later there was some word going around if the ships had not arrived on time, Georgians would have did Sukhum the same thing they did to the South-Ossetian capital, Tskinval! Ofcourse, at times of uneasyness, many speculations turn around. Still, watching what they have done in Tskinval, to people, hospitals, city as a whole... That was possibilly true. Anyway, they say these ships are very protective and I am glad that the Russian peace keeping forces do not wait till the distraction of the city before they do their duty to protect our borders and people. (11.08.08-Note: The Georgian ships have really pushed Abkhazia's borders. The presidents site reported 4 Georgian war-ships. www.abkhaziagov.org)

There were two helicopters and a plane flying over the city. (11.08.08-There was an explanation about these in the morning news as well but could not catch it)

The tourists were enjoying the sea and sun, even in the view of the helicopters and ships. We went around the city and to the next district Gulripsh. The city was mostly green, since nearly all men went around with army clothes. They were saying the army cloth shops were emptied already! We saw at some points reserve forces waiting to take their place in the war if necessary. Women, priests, and elderly were with them, giving them support.

We had some more tea with other friends, and came back home to have access to the internet and to communicate with the outside world. Unfortunately, the internet was really too slow- slower than usual- and it was impossible to upload any photos in any way.Hoping to manage it tomorrow.

11.08.08

Have been to the sea side early in the morning, this time mainly to try to wi-fi (which I thought would be faster) that I registered on friday but did not manage to use yet. Could not see the signal again!.

Some people were already swimming and kids were running on the sea side in groups. That was an active morning as usual in Abkhazia.

I heard my friend's father have left with the forces yesterday, no news yet. Last night in the news there was information on two wounded from the Abkhaz forces. Hope there will be no more wounded and no martyr.

Just now on tv the president is addressing the Abkhaz nation (citizens).

Daily life in Abkhazia-08.08.08

Photos from Abkhazia- daily life continues without distraction.
People who have lived Georgian invasion and violence during the 92-93 war fear a new war.
Men and women, volunteer or take their places in reserve forces but daily life continues.
Tourists, go around with Abkhaz flagged tshirts, enjoy the sun and sea of wonderful Abkhazia.

http://picasaweb.google.com/abkhaziadiary/Sukhum_today

South Osetia: The real war hitting the non-guilty citizens, the information war hitting the non-guilty side

We have been hearing of attacks by the Georgians to the South Osettians for about a week. In the streets it has been the only talk by the russian speaking community. However, the Repatriants who follow Turkish news were not aware of the reality of the situation since Turkish media has been, as usual, taking the side of the Georgians and disinformating the Turkish speaking community in the world.

On friday morning, when I left the house the neigbours were talking about the dreadful attacks to the South Ossetian city, Tsinval, by the Goergians.

Where were the Russian Peace keeping forces that had to protect the border between Georgia and South Ossettia? The Georgians had invaded 5 villages and have destroyed the capital city with night-long bombing.

It was told that a week ago when the first attacks started many children and women were moved to North-Ossetia and other parts of North- Caucasus. But the views from the city showed many women and children under attack in the city of Tsinval. Now the number goes upto 2000 dead mainly women and children, all civilians.

The US said to Georgia, to stop the war but Georgians got fiercer. The South Ossetian head of state asked from Russian Peace Keepers to do their duty to defend people and to stop the occupation of South Ossetia, as they were titled to be with the 2004 Moscow Nonagression Treatment (that was signed by Georgia as well).

The Russian peace keeping forces in the end intervened to the genocide towards the people of South Ossetia by Georgian forces. The Georgian forces, have been using American and Turkish weaponary during the attack, but the Ossetian forces have done their best without any support from the outside world. On Friday lunch time, Abkhazians, made a press meeting in front of the new parliament building, to support their Osset brothers. They said a voluntary battalion from Abkhazia can be formed immediately. Yesterday, Ossetian forces survived the capital Tsinval. The city is completely destroyed. Now, the Russian Peace keeping forces are trying to do their duty, protecting the civilians that survived the Georgian attacks and partial invasion of the city.

In Abkhazia, you can see everywhere South Ossetian and Abkhazian flags. The people are giving their heartfull support to their brothers. (In Abkhaz language Abkhaz call themselves Apswaa and call Ossetian Awaaps. Awaa means people/nation; Aps means life. This naming shows how close these two nations are. And in the last tragic events taking place the people of life in Ossettia are losing their lives and their borthers in Apsni/Abkhazia cry for them.)

Statement by Adygaa

By leaders of Public Organization "Adyga Khase" of Kabardino-Balkaria Republic (KBR), Union of Abkhazian Volunteers of KBR, Union of Afghanistan veterans of KBR, Special Forces veteran Association "Rus'" of North Caucasus, Circassian Congress of KBR, Tersko-Malkinskiy Cossack district of KBR, Public Organization "Worldwide Circassian Brotherhood".

On august 8^th 2008 Georgian armed forces disloyally attacked South Osetia. Tskhinval city and south osetian people are bombarded by all kinds of land and air artillery, innocent people including women and children are dieing every minute. These actions one more time showed the true face of Georgian government and their target to physically destroy people of South Osetia.

We mentioned many times, that undefined status of South Osetia and Abkhazia provokes the desire of Georgian government to solve the problem with military force.

What is the most cynical, is the fact that Georgia started the war same day the XXIXth Olympic Games opened in Beijing.

Today, when Russian citizens die in South Osetia, including peace keeping forces, the Russian Federation must strongly react and stop the aggressor.

People of Kabardino-Balkaria and South Osetia have been bound for hundreds of years, we always helped and supported each other in difficult times.

Along with the people of the Caucasus and all of Russia we declare our strong will to defend South Osetia from the Georgian governments genocide.

We ask Russian government to do whatever it takes to defend our citizens, residing in South Osetia, organize repulsion to the aggressor and review the recognition of independent status of South Osetia and Abkhazia.

The undersigned:

Thamade of Public organization "Adyga Khase" - Mohamad Hafitza

Head of Union of Abkhazian Volunteers of KBR - Aleksei Bekshokov

Head of Union of Afghanistan veterans of KBR - Timur Tkhagalegov

Head of Special Force veteran Association "Rus'" - Nikolai Shubrov

Ataman of Tersko-Malkinsk Cossack district of KBR - Nikolai Lubunya

Head of Circassian Congress of KBR - Ruslan Keshev

President of Worldwide Circassian Brotherhood - Zamir Shukhov

Statement by Non-governmental Organizations of Abkhazia

Civil society in Abkhazia is appalled at the tragic events in South Ossetia that are developing before the very eyes of the international community as the entire population of South Ossetia have actually become a target for a massive attack from the Georgian army. Georgia has violated all previous agreements, as well as principles of international and humanitarian law.
Despite declarations about adherence to exclusively peaceful ways of conflict resolution, the Georgian leadership has now taken a treacherous decision to start military operations against the people of South Ossetia. Hundreds of civilians are dead and wounded, the hospital, schools accommodation blocks in Tskhinval have been destroyed. Barbaric shelling of the civilian population testifies to a gross transgression by Georgia of human rights and has caused a desperate humanitarian disaster across the whole of South Ossetia.

One can hardly call Georgia's recent actions spontaneous. They are a deliberate fulfilment of Tbilisi's plans to undermine the existing negotiation and peacekeeping formats. In his recent interviews the State Minister of Georgia Temur Jacobashvili has spoken openly about Georgia's intention to liquidate these formats.

By repeatedly declaring its commitment to a peaceful resolution Georgia is attempting to mislead the international community about its true intentions. It must be obvious that Tbilisi has embarked on the path of a resolution of conflicts by force of arms. In light of this the so called 'peace initiatives" by Saakashvili are perceived in South Ossetia and Abkhazia as nothing other than a screen to mask Georgia' s goals, which are far from peaceful.
We cannot but be concerned by the fact that at a time when so much attention from the international community is focused on our region, and just after the visits to Tbilisi of highly placed officials from world powers, Georgia has permitted itself yet again to resort to military force to attain its goals. This demonstrates that too often Tbilisi succeeds in avoiding having to take responsibility for its criminal actions, which destabilize the situation in the Caucasus and place under threat the lives of thousands of people.
In the current situation we expect from the international community, from all countries and organizations involved in the resolution process an unambiguous assessment of the actions of Georgia. We consider that the international community is well placed and obliged to use all levers at its disposal to put a stop to Georgian aggression, if it so wishes.


Centre for Humanitarian Programmes - Arda Inal Ipa, Ilana Kvarchelia, Asida Shakril, Irakliy Hintba

Sukhum Youth House - Elena Kobahiya, Aida Ladariya

Sukhum Media Club - Manana Gurguliya, Diana Kerselyan, Marta Tuzhba

Inva-Promotion Association - Alhas Thagushev, Alena Kuvichko

Association of Women of Abkhazia - Natella Akaba, Marietta Topchyan, Bella Turtseva

Gagra Centre for Civic Initiatives Development - Irina Agrba

Youth Initiative Tkuarchala - Rita Azhiba

Ochamchira Youth House - Selma Zantariya

Pitsunda Youth Centre - Natalya Agrba

Association of Women Entrepreneurs - Julia Goumba

Civilian Initiatives Fund - Leila Taniya

STATEMENT by MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS of the REPUBLIC of ABKHAZIA

The war unleashed by Georgia against South Ossetia demonstrates conclusively that, despite assurances of its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, Georgia has been intensively preparing for armed aggression. The beginning of the war on the opening day of the International Olympic Games in Peking is nothing but a cynical attempt to divert international attention from developments in South Ossetia. In this context, the passive response of the UN Security Council will do nothing but promote the continuation of a conflict in which civilians are continuing to be killed and which has already led to a large number of refugees.

The actions by Georgia are a grave violation of International law that will lead to a destabilization of the situation in the whole region. It can easily lead to irreversible and unforeseen consequences. The position of the international facilitators in the conflict, who persist in denying the guilt of Georgia for unleashing war, can only promote an escalation of military action. It raises doubts among the Abkhazians about their objectivity and ability to do anything helpful to support the maintenance of peace in the region. In this regard their eventual role in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict will be at best unhelpful, at worst destructive.

The reaction of the International Community to the prevailing situation is seen in Abkhazia as a good indication of its likely reaction, should similar military intervention against Abkhazia be undertaken by the Georgian side. Taking everything into consideration, the conclusion must be clear to all: there are absolutely no prospects for the reintegration of Abkhazia and South Ossetia into Georgia.

Henceforth, any 'assurances' by Georgia to resolve the conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia by peaceful means will be considered by the Abkhaz side as a blatant attempt to mislead not only the people of Abkhazia but the whole international community, for there can be no doubt that behind such 'assurances' lies the real threat of renewed military aggression against Abkhazia also. The refusal of Georgia, under any conditions, to withdraw its troops from the upper Kodor Gorge, where they were illegally introduced in 2006, and to sign a Peace Agreement with Abkhazia also only serves to confirm suspicions that Georgia plans to start a war with Abkhazia.

Taking all of this into account, the Abkhaz side calls upon the International Community (inter alia the UN) to abandon its passive position of being a mere observer and give an unambiguous assessment of the actions of Georgia and also to take decisive steps to ensure an immediate end to the military actions in South Ossetia.

Sukhum 08.08.2008

too late... too long.. don't have power...

Dear readers of Abkhazia Diary Blog page! I am lazy! I am busy! and I am poor! and I am not patient!
Please wait till the barocade on Abkhazia is removed: than communication and especially internet will be faster and cheaper. Than I will write all about my beautiful country, life here, and people...
Till than please excuse me and try to enjoy already existing information!
...