August 1992 - March 1994

In order to bring the reader up to date, we have added our own Chronicle of Events from August 1993 to April 1994. Our information was gathered from various sources, particularly from The Georgian Chronicle edited by P.J. Hillery. We have tried to verify the details as far as is possible and are confident that our information is as accurate as can be in the present fluctuating situation. We will lend a greater perspective to these events.

13 August

Headline for the release of hostages expires. Georgia sends 3000 troops to west, heading towards Zugdidi.

14 August

12.00 - Abkhaz irregulars open fire on Georgians near Ilori. Fighting continues over 50 kms to Sukhumi.

15.00 - Georgians stop at Sukhumi railway station. Abkhaz withdraw to Sukhumi new town. Fighting in Sukhumi.

15 August

Talks in Sukhumi between Georgians and Abkhaz separatists. Proposals to joint units to protect railway..

17 August

Georgian troops withdraw from Sukhumi but clashes continue in the city. Criminal elements on the rampage, looting, highjacking and terrorizing. Chechen President orders preparations for military operations against Georgia;

18 August

Georgian troops take over Sukhumi. Ardzinba and separatist Parliament leave Sukhumi for Gudauta. '

19 August

Dudayev refuses to issue weapons to volunteers of the Confederation of Mountain Peoples who are making their way into Abkhazia.

20 August

Russian troops in Sukhumi come under fire. Skirmish between forces of ex-president Gamsakhurdia and Georgian National Guard near Zugdidi.

21 August

Evacuation of people from Abkhazia. Black Sea fleet helps. Nearly 12,000 evacuees, mostly Russian tourists and families of servicemen.

22 August

Shevardnadze says opportunities for peaceful resolution to conflict in Abkhazia almost exhausted....

24 August

Large groups of volunteers from North Caucasus take up positions outside Gagra.

25 August

26 August

Yeltsin appeals for cessation of military action. Representatives of International Red Cross Society (IRCS) attacked near Zugdidi.

27 August

Russian deputies on peace-keeping mission to Tbilisi. Jaba loseliani and units of the Mkhedrioni arrive in Sukhumi. Sukhumi returning to normal life.

29 August

Meeting of delegates from Russia, Georgia and Abkhazia meet in Sochi. Sides refuse to talk at same table though protocol is signed. Agreement to cease hostilities from 31 August.

30. August

Clashes between separatists and Georgian troops outside Gagra.

Georgian troops shelled from ship at sea. Russian Navy denies involvement Armenian delegation arrives in Sukhumi and supports territorial integrity of Georgia.

3 September

Successful Mcs-cow talks lead to document on cessation of hostilities. Commission appointed to oversee cease-fire. Georgian integrity assured; exchange of prisoners; humanitarian aid to be provided; transport routes unhindered; human rights; neutrality of Russians etc.

7 september

Hostilities continue. Each side accuses the other of cease-fire violations.

11 september

Russian peacemakers state that warring pparties in Abkhazia, withtdrawn to other side of Gumista river.

12 September

Abkhazian fighters and mercenaries attack Georgianguards near Ochamchire. Confrontations also continue in Osetia. Georgian goverment declares call-up. All those aged 18-25 are liable for consccription. More than 80% of all liable for conscription in the spring failed to report at call-up stations for various reasons.

13 September

Reports of CMPC forces attacking Georgian families at Eshera. Looting. In Sukhumi, too, marauding beyond control. Relative peace along Gumista, but hostilities around Gagra and Ochamchire.

17 September

UN mission to Abkhazia. UN office to open in Tbilisi.

20 September

Trilateral Commission of Georgians, Abkhaz and Russians in Gudauta, checking on violations of human rights in conflict zone.

28 September

Boris Yeltsin and Eduard Shevardnadze meet in Kremlin. Agree on further meetings.

3 October

Abkhaz take Gagra.

11 October

Shevardnadze elected Parliamentary Chairman with 96% of vote.Seats in Parliament divided between 26 parties.

19 November

Georgians, Abkhaz and Russians negotiate temporary cease-fire. In this month Russian Central Bank refuses to supply Georgia with banknotes.

2 December

Abkhaz bomb and shell Sukhumi and Ochamchire. Georgians shell Akhali Athoni and Eshera.

14 December

Russians accuse Georgians of shooting down helicopter on humanitarian aid flight. 58 passengers (mostly women and children) and three pilots die. Georgians deny responsibility. Shevardnadze accuses Russian hardliners of helping Abkhaz.

Abkhaz guerillas take hostage 700 civilians in Georgian village of Kutoli.

7 February

Eight government tanks captured by pro-Gamsakhurdia group, led by Loti Kobalia near Zugdidi.

20 February

Russian warplane assault on Sukhumi. Russian, Georgian talks suspended.

2 March

Abkhaz seize village of Labra.

6 March

North Ossetian Republic (in Russian Federation) recognises self-proclaimed South Ossetian Republic in Georgia. Its territory remains beyond the control of Tbilisi.

9 March

Fourth round of negotiations with Russia begins. Atmosphere tense due to Russia's growing involvement in Abkhazia. Shevardnadze stresses hope that Yeltsin is unaware of the activities of his military.

11 and 13 March

SU 35s bomb Tsagera and Sukhumi.

16 March

Bloodiest military action so far. Separatists attack Sukhumi unsuccessfully. Hundreds killed and wounded. Russians at first admit to their planes bombing Sukhumi, but then Grachev says on Moscow TV that Georgians had repainted their own planes and bombed Sukhumi in order t,o blame it on the Russians. At the same time the Abkhaz leader and Russian commander in Gudauta say the planes were Abkhaz planes!

19 March

Georgians shoot down Russian SU 27.

25 March

CSCE delegation visits Tbilisi. Lord Bethel says he had 'no doubt the conflict in Abkhazia was a result of a conspiracy of reactionary forces in Russia and the old and new KGB networks...'

5 April

Near Armenian border, gas pipeline blown up for fifth time this year.

6 April

Georgian/Russian delegation works on draft treaty in Sochi. Georgian coupon introduced in April. Both sides in conflict retain positions across Gumista river and shell each other. Russian army continues to shell Georgian positions, saying this is in retaliation for Georgian shelling of laboratory at Eshera.

6 and 14 April

Pro-Gamsakhurdia rallies dispersed in Tbilisi.

2 May

Russians shoot down Georgian plane over Abkhazia.

6 May

Russians bomb Sukhumi; Russian /Abkhaz consultations in Maikop.

7 May

Local Svan conflict in Bolnisi.

12 May

Conflict between Mkhedrioni and Russian army unit in Kutaisi. Six Mkhedrioni dead and ten wounded. Mutual accusations. Most observers regard incident as outcome of broken deal on illegal arms trade.

14 May

Russian/Georgian summit in Moscow.

20 May

Cease-fire agreement in Abkhazia comes into effect.

27 May

Agreement on humanitarian action for Sukhumi, Tkvarcheli. Also this month Kitovani and loseliani resign; Kakarashvili appointed Minister of Defence.

5 June

Russian Foreign Minister Kozyrev visits Sukhumi, Tbilisi, Gudauta.

IMF turn down appeal for emergency aid.

16-18 June

As a result of cease-fire, delivery of humanitarian aid to Sukhumi and Tkvarcheli. Implemented by Russia under supervision of UN. Great number of population evacuated. Estimated that in eleven months of war Georgians so far lost 1175 dead and 3446 wounded.

19 June

Fighting resumes.

23 June

Shevardnadze visits NATO Headquarters.

2 July

Abkhaz attack Sukhumi. Shelling by Grad rocket-launchers and artillery in the morning, kills 39; 175 wounded. Separatist commandos land from three warships near Tarnish. Shevardnadze given additional powers.

5 July

Rally in Gudauta in support of negotiations with Tbilisi.

6 July

Tbilisi declares martial law in Abkhazia.

Shevardnadze appeals to G7 Summit in Tokyo. Georgian-Russian-Abkhaz talks deadlocked with Abkhaz insisting on withdrawal of all Georgian troops and Georgians refusing.

Georgians break Abkhaz encirclement of Sukhumi. Georgian forces had been joined by pro-Gamsakhurdia militia led by Kobalia. After heavy fighting, separatist commandos almost wiped out. However, well armed groups continue to arrive from North Caucasus, including ethnic Russians. Georgian resources rapidly becoming exhausted.

Georgia, Russia and Abkhazia sign cease-fire agreement in Sochi. Some Georgian politicians call this capitulation.

14 August

Withdrawal of forces from conflict zone commences. Fortifications blown up, mines cleared.

26 August

Withdrawal of heavy equipment along Gumista almost complete.

29 August

Zviadist forces under Kobalia (supporters of ex-President Zviad Gamsakhurdia) take Senaki, later Abasha and Khobi.

30 August

loseliani leaves Tbilisi for western Georgia promising to 'blow out the brains of all destructive forces.'

13 September

Russian fleet removes last items of Georgian heavy equipment from conflict zone. 80% of government forces now removed. Georgians complain of violations of agreement by Abkhaz and vice versa.

14 September

Shevardnadze announces his resignation, later relents.

15 September

Zviadists attack government forces west of Samtredia.

16 September

Abkhaz separatists launch attack on Sukhumi. Beginning of offensive clearly tied to withdrawal of Georgians. Renewed attacks from Zviadists in west.

17 September

Shevardnadze meets Russian Defence Minister Grachev in Sochi. No tangible results despite Russia as guarantor of peace process. Georgian intelligence reports of trucks with fighters and equipment entering Abkhazia across the Russian border. Separatist detachments composed of Abkhaz, North Caucasians and ethnic Russians. Western reporters say that most of separatist field commanders are Russians.

20 September

Abashidze brokers temporary truce between Zviadists and government.

24 September

Gamsakhurdia returns to Mingrelia.

27 September

Sukhumi falls to Abkhaz forces. Shevardnadze sends telegram to Yeltsin in which he talks of 'Georgia's prostration' and says assault was planned by General Staff of Russian army.

30 September

Zviadists seize Ochamchire and Gali.

By the beginning of October the separatists have suppressed almost all Georgian government troops. Almost the entire remaining ethnic Georgian population, some 200,000, flee, either across the Inguri river or through Svaneti. Half the refugees take the former route without too many problems; the other half try to cross the mountains of Svaneti. Terrible hardship ensues with exposure to freezing cold, exhaustion and starvation. After international assistance arrives, the situation improves. Armenia, Ukraine, the International Red Cross, Medecins sans Frontieres - all help. After losing Abkhazia, Georgia is plunged into civil war.

2 October

Zviadists seize Poti and begin advance to east. Mingrelia and most of Guria under their control. Russian government condemns Abkhaz violation of 27 July agreement and accuses them of genocide of Georgian population.

8 October

Shevardnadze decides to join CIS. Military and economic aid needed to solve problems in Georgia. Many in Georgian Parliament strongly disapprove of this decision, especially Opposition parties.

14 October

Russian seaborne force lands at Poti.

22 October

Government troops begin offensive in western Georgia. By end of month only Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha and Chkhorotsku still under control of Kobalia's (Zviadist) militia.

25 October

Warrants issued for arrest of Gamsakhurdia and his military commander, Kobalia. Pardon promised by Shevardnadze for all those who handed in weapons.

28 October

Russian military detachments, in co-operation with Georgian army,begin patrolling railway line between Poti and Samtredia.

6 November

Government forces occupy Zugdidi with no resistance. Insurgents disperse. Government troops take all key towns in Mingrelia. Success of Government forces owes much to intimidating effect of Russian military presence, though took no part in fighting. During hostilities North Caucasians and Abkhaz captured, fighting alongside Zviadists.

9 November

Shevardnadze elected chairman of new party: the Union of Citizens of Georgia - a union of previous parties and factions broadly in support of Shevardnadze's policies.

15 November

State-controlled price of bread increased tenfold. Bread queues continue. Inflation rampant. Criminal elements continue to hijack, kidnap and loot.

23 November

Separatists continue hostilities especially against 'Abkhazian Svaneti' mountainous region populated by ethnic Georgians. 2000 separatists attack villages here. Many casualties.

30 November

Georgian/Abkhaz negotiations take place in Geneva under aegis of UN with Russia as facilitator. Both parties pledge to refrain from use of force during negotiations. However, more clashes. Some refugees from Gunmukhuri begin to return home and are well received. By the end of December, they are forced to flee once more after attacks by armed separatists.

4 December

CMPC mark 'glorious victory over Shevardnadze's fascist clique.' Only clouded by refusal of world community to recognise its results.

10 December

Mafia group - Sviri brotherhood - disarmed. Struggle against criminal groups intensifies but State of Emergency and curfew in Tbilisi neffectual. Mysterious string of assassinations of criminal figures;also members of Mkhedrioni.

19 December

POWs exchanged.

21 December

Consultations on future status of Abkhazia end in Moscow. No sign of agreement.

28 December

One US dollar costs 108,300 coupons. Inflation at 100%.

31 December

Reported suicide of ex-President Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Many rumours about his death. Visit by vice-President of Chechenia confirms death. Supporters gather daily in front of his house in Tbilisi.

9 January 1994

Speaker of Georgian Parliament calls for Georgia to join 'rouble zone'.

11 January

Second round of Geneva talks begin. Withdrawal of troops from Inguri river envisaged, return of 20,000 refugees, introduction of peace-keeping forces. Both sides consent to Russian troops among peace-keepers.

15 January

Zviadists try to hold rally in Tbilisi. Police prevent them.

24 January

Zviadists hold sit-down protest in front of Parliament in Tbilisi. Demand no autopsy on body of ex-President in compliance with his widow's wishes.

28 January

Shurgaia and Kobalia/ former pro-Gamsakhurdia leaders, captured. Supporters still hiding in woods. Uneasy calm in Mingrelia.Temur Talakhadze, commander of Rustavi branch of Mkhedrioni, killed in explosion in barber's shop. Several other Mkhedrioni also assassinated.

3 February

Yeltsin in Tbilisi. Unprecedented security. Russia and Georgia pledge respect for mutual sovereignty, lifting of barriers to trade and co-operation in economic and military fields. Russia to have three bases in Georgia: at Tbilisi, Batumi, and Akhalkalaki. Georgian border with Turkey to be guarded by Russian frontier troops. Georgia to be granted credit of 20 billion roubles. Opposition criticises agreements but Shevardnadze says that Russia is best guarantor of Georgia's independence.

10 February

Return of refugees should have begun. However, hostilities renewed. Abkhaz accuse Georgians of firing at positions on Inguri river and start 'punitive operations' which last for ten days. In Tbilisi crowds protest over lack of water and power.

14 February

President Ter-Petrosyan of Armenia visits Tbilisi to discuss economic co-operation and safe passage of Armenian goods through Georgia.

24 February Gamsakhurdia reburied in Grozny, Chechenia.

1 March

Debate to ratify joining of CIS brings tensions in Georgian Parliament to boiling point. Shevardnadze stresses that the decision to join had saved the country from civil war in western Georgia. After stormy session, ratification: 125 for, 69 against, 4 abstain.

7 March

Shevardnadze meets President Clinton in Washington. Americans promise $70 million in humanitarian aid. Georgian/Abkhaz negotiations in New York fail to bring results.

10 March

Leaders of separatists at a rally in Sukhumi say that 'unchecked crime' aises doubts about the possibility of building a civilised and law-abiding society in Abkhazia'. Refugees still continue to make their way into Georgia. The Georgian State Committee for Refugees reports that 188,970 officially registered.15,000 more had been forced to leave Gali district in February. Citizens of Syria, Jordan and Yemen having Abkhaz-Adyghe origin, settle in homes vacated by refugees. Explosion at Mkhedrioni HQ. Two killed, several injured. Anzor Sharmaidze, 21, found guilty of shooting American diplomat Fred Woodruff. Sentenced to 15 years.

18-20 March

First Congress of Union of Citizens of Georgia (UCG). Addressed by former US Secretary of State, James Baker.

24 March

Separatist forces take village of Lata. Renewed assaults on villages of Abkhazian Svaneti.

31 March

Tbilisi Chief of Police, David Zeijidze, bursts into Parliament with 300 armed policemen in protest at appointment of Minister of Internal Affairs, Givi Kviraia. After meeting with Shevardnadze, Zeikidze withdraws. Later dismissed from his post.

4 April

Emergency office created in Mestia, capital of Svaneti, to cope with renewed flow of refugees. Abkhaz separatists continue to attack villages in Kodori gorge (Abkhazian Svaneti) throughout April.

8-9 April

Meeting in Sochi on return of refugees. UN delegation to travel to Gali.

13 April

Georgian and Abkhaz meet in Geneva to discuss role of peace-keeping forces.

20-22 April

Consultations on political status of Abkhazia held in Geneva. Abkhaz say that Georgia and Abkhazia are now two separate states. Postscript The Policy of Genocide in Action

Professor of International Law; Senior Human Rights Officer of the Department of Human Rights at UN Secretariat in New York and Geneva 1970-77. Chief Adviser to the Head of State, Eduard Shevardnadze, on matters of international law. At present participating in the negotiations on Abkhazia.

On 27th July 1993 yet another ceasefire agreement was signed in the war between Abkhazia and Georgia, obliging the sides to withdraw tanks and artillery from the conflict zone. The Georgian side fulfilled its obligation and refugees returned to Sukhumi. Calm reigned briefly in the city. Ostensibly the Abkhazians too carried out a withdrawal. But on 16th October Abkhazian units and mercenaries launched an attack against Ochamchire and Sukhumi, using 'concealed' artillery and tanks. Georgian homes were again in flames. International observers - primarily Russian - were obliged to return to the Georgian side the breach blocks of the tanks and artillery removed at the disarming.

Bloody battles lasted for a fortnight. Eduard Shevardnadze flew immediately to the front line, joining the defenders of Sukhumi. However, Sukhumi fell to the separatists on 27th September. Escaping death by a miracle, Shevardnadze and some of his associates managed to break out. Others, with tens of thousands of peaceful residents, fled and made their way through mountain passes and paths, called 'the paths of death', for they were strewn with corpses of old men, women and children, frozen or dying through exhaustion.

In Izvestya (19 October 1993) Yuri Dyakov, representative of Russia's State Committee for Emergency Situations, said: 'Genocide reigns in the republic. Dozens of corpses in the sea... Disembowelled women.

Severed heads on the beaches...Georgians have been wiped out in Abkhazia.'

Beginning with the capture of Gagra, early in October 1992, and taking advantage of temporary armistices, the Abkhazian separatists methodically 'cleansed' the districts they had seized of Georgians. Thousands - over 200,000 - the entire Georgian population of Abkhazia in fact, became forcibly displaced refugees. They have filled nearly all the districts of Georgia, some are stranded in Moscow, in Sochi, and other cities. Their homes have been taken by mercenaries and boeviks from North Caucasia, by Cossacks, and by terrorists from countries of the Middle East, as has been recorded in the Report of the UN Secretary General's Fact-Finding Mission to Investigate Human Rights Violations in Abkhazia, Republic of Georgia (Doc. S/26795, 24 September 1993).

This policy of forcibly changing the demographic structure of Abkhazia, was condemned by the UN Security Council (Res.896,31 January 1993). Here the real face of aggressive separatism has been revealed and the conflict in Abkhazia has threatened to develop into a major war throughout the entire Caucasus.

In an attempt to avert this, the government of Georgia appealed to the UN and the CSCE for help to settle the conflict. The UN Secretary General, the Security Council, and the CSCE repeatedly stressed the inviolability of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia. They called for the return of the refugees and the determination of the status of Abkhazia within the borders of the Republic of Georgia with due account to be taken of the interests of the entire multi-national population of Abkhazia.

In order to ensure the safety of the refugees, Georgia asked the UN to send its peace-keeping forces to the region. However, the report of the UN General Secretary (Doc.S/1994/253/ 3 March 1994) states: 'By not acceding to the Council's demand that all concerned recognise the territorial integrity of Georgia, the Abkhazian side is in effect preventing the United Nations from responding to a call for assistance from Member States and blocking the orderly return of refugees.'

Today over 300,000 people, three fourths of the entire population of the region, are beyond its borders. This means that the policy of genocide and the war have scorched not only the Georgians, but also he Russians, Armenians, Greeks, Estonians, and the Abkhaz themselves. Many thousands of them have left their homeland refusing to recognise the fascist diktat of the group entrenched in Gudauta.