Liana Kvarchelia: Respect to Those Who Dared to Defy the General Line
Liana Kvarchelia, Deputy Director at The Centre for Humanitarian Programs, criticizes Abkhazia's parliament for ratifying the Abkhaz-Russian dacha deal amid public protests, reflecting societal unrest
SUKHUM / AQW'A ― In the wake of the Abkhazian parliament's controversial ratification of the Abkhaz-Russian agreement on the Pitsunda state dacha, Liana Kvarchelia, Deputy Director of The Centre for Humanitarian Programs in Sukhum, has issued a poignant statement. Originally posted in Russian on Nuzhnaya Gazeta's Telegram channel and translated to English, her remarks come as a response to the parliament's unexpected decision, made in the early hours amidst significant public protest and opposition. Kvarchelia's message, addressing both the parliament's actions and the wider implications for Abkhazian society, reflects the turmoil and discontent simmering in the wake of these events.
Respect to Those Who Dared to Defy the General Line
Truly good deeds are never done away from the public eye. If our deputies have demonstrated such zeal as to make such a significant decision in the dead of night, it must stem from personal interest or sheer cowardice. I wish I could say it's a sense of responsibility driving them, but, unfortunately, this is not backed by logical arguments supporting their decision. After all, one can sincerely believe they are acting rightly.
Respect to those brave enough to defy the general line. But such courageous individuals are alarmingly scarce, not just in the parliament. There is no real opposition. With Pandora's box now open, the authorities have shown their might not only to their own people but also to those inheriting Abkhazian assets. Come January, a flurry of new laws is expected: on energy, apartments, and, inevitably, on foreign agents. The latter won't just impact NGOs like us, from whom many are already distancing themselves. Some even call for outright execution, which, sadly, isn't shocking.
The recent meeting of my former university colleagues with the president and the National Security Council secretary was quite telling. If only I didn't know you!
Therefore, the foreign agent law will impact everyone with an independent opinion, and ignorance of foreign organisations won't protect you. This law has become a matter of "honour" for the ambitious young minister, aiming to propel him to a fitting position in Moscow — as our local scale is too limited for him.
Amidst all this filth and overwhelming cynicism, I continue to find joy in our pure, intelligent, brave youth who love their country! They are our sole beacon of hope for the nation's future.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!
Liana Kvarchelia, for those unaware of my initials.
Russian Politicians: Protests in Abkhazia "Fueled from the Outside"
SUKHUM / AQW'A ― Russian politicians claim that the protests in Abkhazia, stemming from the transfer of the Pitsunda state dacha to Russia, are being externally instigated.
Grigory Karasin, head of the Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee in Russia, informed RIA Novosti that the demonstrations in Abkhazia are "artificially incited from outside." He was commenting on the response of the Abkhaz public to the decision made by the Republic of Abkhazia's authorities.
"This dacha is an old, Stalin-era property. [...] An intergovernmental agreement was signed between Russia and Abkhazia. We don’t need to ratify it, but they do. [...] All the rest is the work of so-called friends who begin to create a stir, influenced by certain nearby countries with vested interests," Karasin stated.
Anastasia Udaltsova, a State Duma Deputy, expressed that technicalities in the Russia-Abkhazia interaction might be indicative of foreign interference. She emphasized the importance for citizens of both nations to "remain rational and not fall for any provocations, relying solely on verified official information."
"I am convinced that Abkhazia's state security agencies are effectively managing internal processes, and they can always turn to their Russian counterparts for assistance if needed," she remarked.
Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, noted, "No one in Russia ever intended to transport Abkhaz land to Russian territory or detach a part of Abkhazia from itself."
"These were initially opportunistic, utterly false accusations that alarmed the public. The accusations were not directly related to Russian-Abkhaz relations but to the perpetual internal political struggle in Abkhazia, leading to premature departures of presidents under public pressure. After this issue became a sticking point for some, the ratification process was delayed, followed by negotiations. Several rounds of talks, as I understand, led to a consensus. This is not about Russia laying claim to Abkhaz territories, but about legally recognizing a known fact: the buildings and facilities of the state dacha in Pitsunda, built during Soviet times from the union budget and exclusively used by Russia. It's about finally incorporating this into Abkhaz legislation," he explained.
Zatulin described the state dacha in Pitsunda as a regime facility and linked the protests in Abkhazia to the opposition's efforts to discredit the authorities and accuse them of anti-national activities.
In light of these events, it's worth noting that Russian authorities have traditionally been wary of public protests, frequently attributing them to external influences. This perspective is consistent with a deep-seated viewpoint that street demonstrations are generally ineffective, a sentiment that has been echoed over the years in Russia's governance.
"Abkhazia desperately needs Russia's support and, in my opinion, an eased border regime, especially during the tourist season. Abkhazia also needs the Sukhum airport to be operational again, and progress is being made. Work has begun on deconserving the Sukhum airport. However, those currently agitating the situation around the state dacha in Abkhazia with demagogic slogans have no interest in these developments. Their primary aim is to topple the government by any means necessary," Zatulin conveyed to "Gazeta.ru."
The Pitsunda state dacha complex was constructed between 1958 and 1961 by order of Nikita Khrushchev, the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee.
This territory is distinguished by its state dachas which served as rest places for the top Soviet Party officials of the CPSU Central Committee Administration. Despite the dissolution of the USSR and throughout the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, these dachas remained under the control of the Russian Federation's Main Directorate of Security (now the Federal Protective Service). However, legally, by virtue of several legal acts of the Republic of Abkhazia, particularly the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Abkhazian ASSR No. 1725-XI dated September 27, 1991, titled "On Ensuring the Economic Basis of the Sovereignty of Abkhazia," all former USSR property in Abkhazia was nationalized.
On the early morning of December 27, in an extraordinary session, the Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia ratified the Russian-Abkhaz agreement on transferring the Pitsunda state dacha to Russia, a decision already approved by Abkhaz leader Aslan Bzhania. Parts of the opposition and public figures have labelled the decision "shameful" and are calling for its revocation. Former Ombudsman Asida Shakryl deemed the decision illegitimate.
Marking a Somber Date: The Anniversary of Nestor Lakoba's Death
SUKHUM / AQW'A ― Today marks the anniversary of the death of Nestor Lakoba (1 May 1893 - 28 December 1936), a seminal figure in the history of Abkhazia and a prominent Communist leader. Lakoba's life, steeped in political intrigue and struggle, tragically ended when he was poisoned by Lavrenti Beria, then head of the NKVD, the infamous Soviet security organisation.
Nestor Lakoba played a pivotal role in the Bolshevik establishment in Abkhazia following the Russian Revolution. After Abkhazia's integration into the Soviet Union in 1921, he became the head of the newly incorporated territory. His tenure as Chairman of People's Commissars (1922-1930) and Chairman of the Central Executive Committee (1930-1936) saw him emerge as a formidable and unchallenged leader, maintaining a crucial political distance in relations with Georgia, much to Tbilisi's chagrin.
Lakoba's leadership was defined by his resistance to the Menshevik Georgian forces supported by German bayonets. He led the national liberation struggle of the Abkhaz people, forming the peasant army-militia "Kiaraz." Historian Igor Marykhuba praised Lakoba as the "Danton of the Abkhaz revolution," crediting him and the "Kiaraz" fighters with saving Abkhazia during its bloodiest years from 1918 to 1921.
Lakoba's popularity and influence, however, made him a target. Many historians agree that Joseph Stalin had already marked Lakoba for elimination by early 1935. His death not only left a void in Abkhazian politics but also led to a vilification campaign by Beria, falsely branding him an 'enemy of the people.' This slander extended to other notable figures in Abkhazia, including party secretary Vladimir Ladaria and writer Samson Chanba.
The doctors who autopsied the victim were arrested. A month later Lakoba's tomb was flattened and the body exhumed. Lakoba was de-clared an enemy of the people: Sark., his widow, was charged with plotting to kill Stalin with the pistol Allilueva had given her and tortured for two years until she died. Lakoba's mother was bludgeoned to death by Beria's hangman Razhden Gangia. Beria slaughtered almost the entire Lakoba clan, keeping the children in prison until they were old enough to execute. Lakoba's young son Rauf was tortured in Moscow by the notorious Khvat, sentenced to death by Ulrikh and shot in 1941. One brother-in-law and two nieces survived. Most of the Abkhaz intelligentsia perished: Georgians and Mingrelians colonized southern Abkhazia. Beria's revenge was directly sanctioned by Stalin without Ezhov's signature. After Lakoba's murder Stalin stayed away from the Caucasus for nine years.
― 'Stalin and His Hangmen' by Donald Rayfield