Within the Soviet period historical past of the peoples of the former USSR was studied to a lesser or greater extent. Basing on the testimonies of numerous documents, a number of key issues has been clarified. Certain results were achieved in following up the ethnogeny of individual peoples, development and processing of the archaeological and ethnographic findings.

Our kindred Abkhazian people were the only exception since any attempts to find out historical past of this people were officially vetoed. It is a well-known scientific fact which presently became the property of the broad public as well.

The ultimate goal of this "veto" was to tear the Abkhazs of the common organism of Georgia, mold them into a separate nation which subsequently should provide the Great Russian State the possibility to capture this heavenly nook of Abkhazia from Georgia and subordinate it to its interests. After the decay of the USSR this goal became the priority for Russia. To achieve it Russia did not disdain to use any means and ways. Today we are reaping the fruits of such efforts.

Though the stupefied Abkhazian separatists are still warming their hands on the infernal fire of ghastly crime against the humanity, the historical experience testifies that the ways of evil are short-lived. The true past of Abkhazs, their ethnic belonging is being gradually elucidated.

As far back as in 1913 the Academician Ivane Javakhishvili wrote: "The population of Colchis belongs to three Georgian branches:Laz-Megrelians, Apshil-Abkhazians and Svans". Hence according to the Prominent Georgian scientist, Apshil-Abkhazians were Georgians, like Laz-Megrelians and Svans. Academician I. Javakhishvili would never claim anything without sufficient and sound grounds.

Subsequently this idea was confirmed by the works of Simon Janashia, Nikoioz Berdzenishvili and Pavie Ingoroqva. But the Soviet imperial historiography blurred the historical truth and declared Abkhazs as the people belonging to the Adigs and Abkhazia - as a separate country.

For several decades the officials were literally hammering into the heads of Abkhazs this shameless lie and arousing hatred to Georgian people, benevolently disposed to Abkhazia.

Henceforth the Abkhazs began deliberately to close eyes to their own history and with the "kind" assistance of the superior bodies were unmercifully persecuting the researchers who dared to show the truth. As a result the VIII volume of "Issues of History of Georgia" by P.Berdzenishvili, which has already been composed, was shrunk like a Chagrin leather. Great Pavie Ingoroqva was subjected to the severe criticism, while professor Khukhut Bgashba escaped by the skin of his teeth, by running away to Tbilisi.

Instead the falsified, exaggerated like a soap-bubble history of Abkhazia was published in mass production with assistance and co-authorship of the reactionary Russian scientisits. A young Abkhaz historian Stanislav Lakoba supported by and fallen for euphoria of idealization of the history of Abkhaz people, distorted by the Turchaninovs and Voronovs is on documentary basis claiming that "in future the mankind will speak on the language of Apsu".

Pseudo-scientific propaganda could have hardly be expected to yield a different result. What such ideology has brought to fascist Germany is well-known today.

However, there is only one way to save Abkhaz people. It lies, as great Ilia Chavchavadze was teaching, in ascertaining the historical truth. Unless it is fulfilled, both present and future will remain obscure. This vagueness was followed by the provocative Abkhaz war. Had Abkhazs known their true history, they would have never lifted their hand against Georgians and would have remained patriots of Georgia, as their far ancestors used to be, the best of them being the son of the last ruler of Abkhazia, a poet and public man Mr. Giorgi Shervashidze.

The time has come to say the truth publicly. It's time to stop walking wrong, roundabout ways. Just now it became possible to lift the veil and through a light on the hazed past of Abkhaz people. From this aspect of paramount importance are the studies published since recently. These works should be published in Russian and other foreign languages to overcome the dirty ideological barrier erected by the Abkhazs, like the Chinese wall in the shortest time,since without gaining victory at the ideological front there is no victory at all.

At present the ethnic belonging of the historical population of Abkhazia, toponymy, monuments of material culture, etc. has been studied at highly scientific level As a result it became evident that

Presently there exist about 15 historical maps of Abkhazia the 1-17th cc None of these maps is included into the works of Abkhaz historians, since it is not advantageous for them All the historical denominations on them are Georgian-Kartvelian

6 Anthropologically the Abkhazs oppose Adigo-Abkhazian ethnic circle and maintain remarkable likeness to the West Georgian (basically Megrelian) anthropological type

Historically Abkhazia was a rear part of Megrelia (Samegrelo)

In literature and historical sources of the subsequent period Abkhazia is considered as an integral part of Georgia A well-known Georgian scientist, a geographer Vakhushti Bagrationi in his work "The History of Georgian Kings" describes Abkhazia as the most picturesque part of Georgian land

It is noteworthy that Abkhazian Kingdom mentioned in the 8-1 Oth cc as a strong state uniting the whole West Georgia, allowed some pseudo-historians to claim that the question concerned Abkhazian State as such In reality during this period Abkhaz Saenstavo' indeed got strengthened and as a part of Georgia united it as a whole The majority of population were Georgians and as Academician Manam Lordkipanidze indicates " Abkhazian kingdom by its culture, history, written language, state policy was a Georgian State, while Abkhaz kings were Georgians"

The first mentioning of Abkhaz tribes ancestors (Apsils and Abazgs) on the territory of North-West Colchis belongs to the 1-2th cc. B.C. (Gaius Plinius Secundus, Flavius Aman).

In the 1-2th cc. in mountain regions of the present-day Abkhazia (partially involving the coastal areas) were created principalities of Abazgs and Apsils, while on the sea coat west to Apsils the principality of Svanings was established. They together with Georgian Kingdom Lazika (Egrisi) were subordinated to Rome Empire and later to Byzantine.

From the beginning of the 4th c. Laz Kingdom was gradually gaining strength and eventually united almost the whole Colchis (West Georgia), including the territory of the present day Abkhazia.

At the merge of the 6th and 7th centuries after having abolished the king power in West Georgia, Byzantine established the patriciate to Lazika to the south from the Kodori River, and archontate of Abazgia - on the territory located to the North. (In Georgian sources mentioned as "Saeristavo of Abkhazia" - Georgian term "Saeristavo" is identical to Russian "Voevodstvo").

Since that period the ethnonym "Abkhaz" ("Abazg" - by Byzantine sources) acquires political shading and is used to identify the whole population of Saeristavo of Abkhazia.

By the thirties of the 6th c. the Saeristavo of Abkhazia which had gained strength, becomes involved in the struggle of Lazika (Egrisi) against Byzantine and Arab aggressors. As a result of joint efforts, the Arabs were chased out from West Georgia.

In the eightieths of the 8th c. a political unification of West Georgia occurred. The vassal of Byzantine, the ruler of Abkhazia, the eristav Leon I under the order of the Emperor entered the protection of Mir and Archil, the kings of Kartii (East Georgian State), the power of which extended to Egrisi as well. Leon I, the eristav of Abkhazia, having married Gurandukht, the daughter of the Egrisi king Mir, actually became the owner of the royal crown. However, he had never declared himself a king. And only by the end of the century after his nephew Leon II had separated from Byzantine, he declared himself a "King of Abkhazia", since he was the successor eristav (ruler of Abkhazia). From then on the West Georgian State which was in fact the successor of the Egrisi Kingdom, was named "Abkhazian Kingdom". In some foreign sources the Abkhazian Kingdom is called saeristavo and its population -Egrs, Ergisians (from which later was coined the term "Megrel" which means the resident of Egrisi, the person who comes from Egrisi). The city of Kutaisi, one of the most ancient political and cultural center of Georgia became the capital of the state, while Georgian language became the official written, clerical and divine service language having replaced Greek language. Since then the content of the terms Abkhazeti and Abkhaz widened and were used to denote the whole West Georgian State with its entire population.

Dynastic marriage between Leon I and the owner of the Egrisi crown Gurandukht is one of the evidences testifying to the strive of Georgian kinds and principalities to create the united Georgian State which was eventually crowned with success in the 10th - beginning of the 11th centuries. Proceeding from the sources and works of Georgian and Abkhazian scientists (S.Janashia, G.Berdzenishvili, M.Lortkipanidze, Z.Anchabadze and others) one cannot help agreeing with the conclusion that voluntary unification of the Egrisi Kingdom (practically entire West Georgia) and a small feudal principality of Abkhazia into one state headed by Abkhazian rulers "can be explained only by the fact that "Abkhazian kings" notwithstanding their ethnic origin (which by the way remains unknown) were Georgians from the cultural and political aspects and All-Georgia feudal state with Georgian language, Georgian written language, Georgian Christianity and Georgian feudal relations represent the national culture not only for them but for the whole feudal class of Abkhazia as such".

In 1978 the king of West Georgia State (kingdom of Abkhazia), a childless Feodosi voluntarily gave his throne to his nephew Bagrat, the grandson of Bagrat II, the king of Kartii and representative of Georgian royal family - Bagrationi. Bagrat was officially declared the "King of Abkhazs". Later, after the death of his grandfather Bagrat II, Bagrat inherited the throne of Kartii and having united the Kingdom of Abkhazia and Kartii, added to his tittle of Abkhazs King the title of King of Kartvels. From then on he was named the king Bagrat III. Thus, the unification of the kingdom of Abkhazia and kartii, as previous unification of the Kingdom of Abkhazia and Egrisi, occurred on the dynastic basis. In 1010, after conquering Hereti and Kakheti, Bagrat III became the king of Runs and Kakhs as well. Such succession in the process of establishing All-Georgia Feudal State stipulated the succession of the titles of the rulers of the adjoined territories in the titles of the kings of the united Georgia: "King of Abkhazs, Kartvels, Runs, Kakhs..." This principle of succession was inherited and preserved in the titles of the kings of the united Georgia. It is noteworthy that "Had Abkhazs had not been exactly the same Georgians as were Egrs, «arts and Kakhs for the kings of the united Georgia and for Georgians in general, then Georgian kings would have changed their titles".

The fact that in the titles of the kings of the united Georgian State first comes the title of "king of Abkhazs", extended the notion of the terms "Abkhazia" and "Abkhaz" even further. In Georgian and foreign written sources the term "Abkhazeti" and "Abkhaz" are used to denote the whole Georgia and its entire population.

The community of cultural-and-historical traditions of Abkhazs and Colchis world determined their political orientation and active participation in establishing of the united Georgian State. As it has already been mentioned, since the 8-9th cc. Greek language was gradually replaced by Georgian, which served as a written, state, clerical, and divine service language. In the 9-1 Oth cc. the churches of the kingdom of Abkhazia completely dropped out of the subordination of Constantinople patriarchy and entered Georgian autocephalous Mtskheta Katalicosate. The kings of Abkhazia abolished Georgian eparchy having founded new episcopal chairs which became the centers of Georgian culture. In the Kingdom of Abkhazia significant hagiographic and hymographic written works have been created. In Georgian language was compiled also the chronicles "Divan of Abkhazian Kings". In this period intensified the church construction activities. All monuments of architecture preserved on the territory of contemporary Abkhazia are of common-Georgian nature. The existence of Georgian epigraphy was confirmed in Abkhazia from the 9-1 Oth cc. "The oldest Georgian captions, - writes Abkhazian scholar H. Bgazhba, - found on the territory of the present-day Abkhazia such as Likhen, Anukh, Tsarchin, Gumurish, ilori... are basically dated by the 11th and 12th centuries, though some of them could belong to the earlier period..."

Georgian State weakened by the invasions of Mongol-Tatars (the 13th c.) and Timur (the 14th c.) by the end of the 15th c. disintegrated into separate kingdoms and principalities. West Georgian sovereign principalities: Megrelia, Guria, Svaneti remained under vassalage of the Kingdom of Imereti which appeared after the disintegration of the united Georgia. The degree of dependence of principalities of Imeretian King was determined by the power of the latter. Up to the 17th c. Abkhazia periodically was under the authority of Odish (Megrelian) principality. Subsequently, when Abkhazia gained strength, it became an independent domain ("samtavro") and having moved "its southern borders from the River of Kodori to the River of Inguri", expanded its territory at the expense of some lands of Megrelia (territory of the present day Ochamchire and Gali regions - "Samurzakano"). In this period occurs the narrowing of the notion of "Abkhazia". Since that time this term is not any more used to denote the West Georgia, to leave aside the entire Georgia;instead it denotes the Abkhaz principality proper only, that is the territory included approximately within the present-day borders of the autonomous republic, where Georgian population dominated.

Invasions of Mongol-Tatars, Timur, increasing aggression of Turkey (end of the 16th c.) which resulted in economic decay and population decrease, paved the way to a new wide-scale wave of immigration of the mountainous tribes (Adigo-Cherkess) to the territory of the present-day Abkhazia. These tribes subsequently got mixed with the indigenous population of Abkhazia. All this shook the position of Christianity (part of the population adopted Islam, while in some parts of the country the paganism was revived), contributed to the establishment of mode of life and forms of country economy which were to a certain degree different from existing Georgian traditions. This marked the beginning of the complications in Georgian-Abkhazian relations, estrangement of Abkhazs from Georgians. External and internal political complications by the end of the 18th c. determined the aspiration of the political forces of Georgia to the union with a powerful Russia, the interests of which at the Caucasia were increasingly becoming more and more pronounced in its opposition to Turkey and Iran. In 1783 Georgievsk Treaty was made between Russia and East Georgia; in accordance to which Russian Empire was taking Kartl-kakhetian kingdom under its patronage. However, Russia infringed the conditions of the Treaty and in 1801 annexed kartl-kakhetian kingdom. Later Russia gradually annexed the whole West Georgia as well including Abkhazia, thus eliminating more than two millennia old statehood of Georgia. In 1805 the princes of Samurzakano Manuchar and Levan Shervashidze, recognizing themselves as subjects of Megrelian prince, expressed their wish to become the subjects of Russia together with him. Abkhazia was subjected to Russia in 1810. Subsequently Russia abolished Imereti kingdom and all sovereign principalities having transformed them into administrative units of Russian Empire. Abkhazia (Sukhumi region) was included into the composition of Kutaisi province.

Such is a very general outline of the true history of the famous, nearly "three millennia old independent statehood of Abkhazia", as the leaders of Abkhaz separatists are demagogically claiming. It was this very claim that impelled me to provide this historical excursus. Once Abkhazia was joined to Russia, active colonization of the whole Black Sea shore began (the lands were given to the military and civil high rank officials, the territory was artificially populated with Russians and other colonists), the social oppression increased, which leaned to a national rebellion that was violently suppressed by tsarism. Abkhazian people were declared "guilty population".

Crucial role in successful conduction of colonial policy of tsarism was assigned to the disconnection of the aboriginal (Georgian and Abkhaz) peoples, to their mutual estrangement and to the russification of the region. To achieve this goal tsarism stopped at nothing which was most unambiguously manifested in the ecclesistical policy (transfer of the divine service from Georgian to absolutely illegible for the population - old Slavic language, submission of the autocephalous Georgian Church to Russian Church instances, etc.), consecutive supplanting of Georgian language and spreading of Russian language.

Prince Golitsin, the ruler of the civil population in Caucasia and Exarch Aleksei determined to weaken Georgian influence and assimilate the peoples residing in Abkhazia, wrote to the Ober-Pros-ecutor of the Synod: "It is desirable to tear Sukhumi Eparchy from most undesirable Georgian influence. From this standpoint, it seems reasonable to join Sukhumi Eparchy to Kuban. In Kuban region resides 1, 716. 245 of purely Russian Orthodox population. 100 000 of many-language Black Seashore population will readily dissolve in this mass". The same idea was stressed in the report of September 15, 1987, of the deputy military Governor of Kutaisi: "Georgian movement in Kutaisi region inhibits russification of the region".

Purposeful intention of the tsar government to eradicate all signs testifying that Abkhazias opposed by the progressive Abkhaz public men. Thus, in 1870, in the memorandum of the deputies of Abkhaz and Samurzakano gentry (B.Emkhvari, M.Marshani, T.Margani, K.lnal-Ipa) addresses to the above-mentioned Chairman of Tifflis Committee for Gentry-Real Estate Affairs prince Sviatopolk-Mirski; it was particularly stressed that "since ancient times Abkhazia was a part of the former Georgian kingdom..." The Memorandum provided the facts confirming the community of the historical fates of Georgian and Abkhaz people, which according to the uthors of the memorandum was "the important testimony to belonging of Abkhazia to Georgia" and expressed the hope that they (Abkhazs) would not be "excluded from common family of Georgian people to which they belonged from oldest times. In 1916 Abkhaz deputation including princes: M.Shervashidze, M.Emkhvari, A.lnal-lpa, P.Anchabadze and representatives of the peasantry: B.Ezukhbaia and A.Chukbar visited Tbilisi. They on the behalf of Abkazian people submitted the application for economic and cultural development of the region and raised a question of transforming of Sukhumi region into separate province; they stated that if the latter was impossible, they would insist that it (Sukhumi region) on no account should be joined to any province, other than Kutaisi province. They also insisted not to separate Sukhumi Eparchy which always was an integral part of Georgian Church from the Exarchate of Georgia. ***

The attempts to oppose Abkhazs to Georgians intensified after the February revolution and became particularly persistent after the October 1917 coup. To this eloquently testifies the Bolshevik-inspired straining of Georgian-Abkhaz relations in the period of existing of Transcaucasian Commissariat and Democratic Republic of Georgia (1917-1921), when Georgian people were selflessly struggling for the restoration of the more than two millennia long state independence, lost in 1801.

Abkhazia as a part of Georgia was enjoying rather wide autonomous rights, even before the adoption of the Constitution of Democratic Republic of Georgia. Georgia-Abkhazia interrelationship was determined by bilateral agreements legalized in February and July, 1918, as well as in the subsequent years. The Memorandum of the Popular Council of Abkhazia presented in 1919 to the Chairman of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Georgia says: "On March 20 of the current year the Popular Council of Abkhazia elected by the peoples of Abkhazia basing on demoratic principles, declared at its Session about the inclusion of Abkhazia as an autonomous unit into the composition of the Democratic Republic of Georgia... This Act will serve as a strong foundation for the freedom of the peoples of Abkhazia living within the borders of independent Georgia. From now on we can declare to the whole world that democracy in Georgia managed to implement what some even strong states failed to do so far". The active work to ensure the rights of national minorities was started in other regions of the republic as well. Some clashes between the government of the Democratic Republic of Georgia and national minorities are known to happen owing to it. The problem was extremely complex. It should be comprehensively studied with due regard of the existing international experience.

Complications in interrelationships between the government of Georgia and national minorities were skillfully used by the Bolsheviks, who were instigating national minorities to the actions directed against the government of the independent Georgia. In 1918 Georgian troops entered Abkhazia and cleared its territory from the Bolshevik rebels (who were supported by the Red Army), chased out from Abkhazia Denikin's troops, neutralized the Turkish landing force. These actions of Georgian military troops, some Abkhazian historians and politicians qualify as occupation and annexation of Abkhazia. Political and juridical groundlessness of this claim is evident since, first, Abkhazia has always been an integral part of the united Georgia and in 1918 it was an autonomous part of the united Democratic Republic of Georgia which obliged the government of Georgia to defened the integrity of the Republic (Georgia and Abkhazia as its integral part); second, Georgian military troops were invited and left in Abkhazia by the supreme body expressing the will of Abkhazian people - Popular Council of Abkhazia. It was done to save Abkhazia from the Bolshevik coup, from the attacks of Denikin and Turkey. Military troops of Georgia honourably fulfilled their duty before Georgian and Abkhaz peoples and defended Abkhazia from the external enemies.

Soviet Russia and RCP (b) were striving to turn Abkhazia and some other regions of Georgia into the base for the struggle against Democratic Republic of Georgia. Some Abkhazian public men played rather important role in this: they spared no efforts to separate Abkhazia from Georgia and to unite it to Russia. Thus, Abkhazian public man M.l.Tarnava dwelling on this issue wrote:

"Since I could not reconcile myself with the policy of Menshevik Party of Georgia concerning the issue of Abkhazia, I left the Menshevik Party of Georgia... and formed my own faction named the Party of Social-Democrats-lnternationalists. Ideologically the Party of Social-Democrats-lnternationalists most closely was united with the Party of Independent Socialists, that is actually the leaders were Ja. Alania, Margania, Chanba and Tsaguria who were jointly conducting the policy and tactics of joining Abkhazia to the Soviet Russia (RSFSR). To achieve this goal we officially boycotted the elections in the Constituent Assembly of Georgia in issues concerning Abkhazia, to prevent the further statehood bracing of Abkhazia to the so-called Georgian Democratic (Menshevik) Republic and in our contacts with the menshevik Georgian Government in the sphere of issues of autonomy and Constitution of Abkhazia, we were conducting the policy of breakingdown of agreements and critical attitude towards the actions of Menshevik government. At the same time we were actively looking for the possibilities to get in contact with RSFSR to become its constituent part".

As early as January 2, 1921, the members of Kavbureau of Quaff RCP (b) G.K. Orjonikidze and S.M.Kirov were reporting to the CC of RCP (b): "We cannot hope that a decisive explosion will occur inside Georgia... Without our help Sovetization of Georgia is impossible... We have a good cause to interfere in the internal affairs of Georgia. For this we do not need to openly attack Georgia. We have the possibility to start the movement in Abkhazia, Ajara, Borchalo uyezd..."

In Abkhazia undauntedly were certain forces expressing their readiness to fulfill any instructions of Soviet Russia, which would be directed against independent Georgia. However, some official circles of Bolshevik Russia considered it insufficient to "punish" Georgia. To confirm this we shall cite here a paragraph from the report of the military attache at the representative office of RSFSR in Georgia, General-Major P.Sitin of April 26, 1991: "...One of the precautionary measures against the local chauvinists, the measures which at the same time have a general political nature, should be the formation of sufficiently strong detachments of the Red Army of the RSFSR on the territory of Georgia... The second measure-weakening Georgian chauvinism both territorially and financially is in my opinion separation of Abkhazia... The frontier of RSFSR should be without delay moved to the right bank of the River of Bzip, that is to the immediate border of Abkhazia... Such action apart from its tremendous strategic and political importance for the RSFSR would make it possible for VSNX to get the great popular wealth of this country... Separation of Abkhazia from Georgia is dictated by common sense and delay in its implementation could be fraught with most undesirable consequences. Abkhazia can join Mountainous republic (it already decided to separate from Georgia) and if this happens, had any complications occur, the RSFSR would face a barrier from sea to sea... After Abkhazia a special attention should be paid to Megrelia, the country which also differs from Georgia by language and by nationality and which always was oppressed by Georgian dominion... this territory is very large from the strategic aspect and it can also be subordinated to the direct influence of RSFSR, provided Megrelians like Abkhazians are given autonomy. This is the way of dissecting Georgia into a number of autonomous units which would be subordinated to the influence of RSFSR..."

As the saying goes, comments are superfluous. All this was written in April 1921, when the Soviet Russia already sovietized Georgia and the status of Abkhazia in the composition of Georgia has not been legalized yet.

The Red Army established soviet power in Abkhazia on March 4, 1921. By this time Revcom of Abkhazia was formed, which in the first decade of March sent a letter to the Kavbureau of CC RCP(b). The latter raised the following issues: "a) on Turkey b) on interrelationships between autonomous mountainous republics (including Abkhazia); c) on interrelationships between Abkhazia and Georgia..."

Further the events developed in the following way. United session of the members of the Revcom, of Abkhazia, representatives of the local party leaders, Revvoen Soviet, of IX Red Army and Kavbureau of CC RCP(b) declared Abkhazia an independent Soviet Socialist Republic and decided to name the party organization as Communist Party of Abkhazia.

The second session of the responsible officials of Abkhazia (mid of March 1921) confirmed the decision of the first session concerning the declaration of Abkhazia as an independent Soviet Socialist Republic. About these decisions the members of Revcom of Abkhazia:

E.Ashba, N.Lakoba, P.Agniashvili and N.Akirtava informed V.I.Lenin and J.V.Stalin on March 26, 1921. In the letter addressed to them, the members of the Revcom of Abkhazia asked: "Will Soviet Abkhazia be an independent republic or an administrative unit and what will be the general policy in Abkhazia?" In the same letter, the members of the revcom provided their suggestions, the essence of which was:

"First: Abkhazia should be declared the Socialist Soviet Republic. Second: Soviet Abkhazia should directly enter the all-Russia federation. Third: general policy in Abkhazia should be moderately cautious towards the bourgeoisie and peasantry".

This latter is one of the first documents compiled in the Soviet period, in which so unanimously was revealed Abkhazian separatism and its true sources. Raising the issue on separation of Abkhazia from Georgia the members of the Revcom of Abkhazia seemed to act under the dictation of Russian great-power officials and politicians. Demand to separate Abkhazia from Georgia was motivated by the nationalist policy, which was conducted by the government of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. A reference to the wish of Abkhazs to "bind their fate directly to Soviet Russia" was also made. Besides, declaration of independence of Abkhazia should have "consolidated the liberating nature of the struggle of the Red Army, both in the minds of working masses of Abkhazia and in public opinion abroad". Abkhazian historian professor B.E.Sagaria indicated that the decision on declaring Abkhazia Soviet Socialist Republic was approved by the kavbureau of CC RCP(b) - G.K. Orjonikidze who however advised the Revcom of Abkhazia temporarily until clarification of the issue in the center to refrain from the declaration of the item concerning direct entrance of Abkhazia into all-Russia federation. The responsible high-rank officials decided to meet in the nearest time in Batumi for preliminary discussion of the issue.

These issues were discussed during the telephone conversation between Orjionikidze and Ashba on March 27, 1921, three weeks later after establishing Soviet power in Abkhazia. As Orjonikidze put it the position of "Moscow and Georgian comrades", by that time concerning the issue of political status of Abkhazia was the following: autonomy in the composition of Georgia. Objections against the suggestion of Ashba about entering Abkhazia into the composition of RSFSR, Orjonikidze stated that this "can be estimated as an annexation on the part of RSFSR". Having rejected the offer of Ashba, immediately declare Abkhazia as an independent Soviet Socialist Republic or autonomous republic in the composition of RSFSR, Orjonikidze mentioned in particular: the issue is raised in such plane for the first time and for this reason it should be passed to CC of RCP. From himself personally Orjonikidze advised the Revcom of Abkhazia to avoid the issue of declaring independence of Abkhazia. The advice was accepted: "I agree if Abkhazia will be declared an independent Soviet Socialist Republic",-»- stated Ashba.

"This conversation between the secretary of Kavbureau of CC RCP(b) S.Orjonikidze and leader of Abkhaz Communists E.Ashba, -stresses A.Menteshashvili, - it is evident how "readily and mentioning in passing" were solved such critical state problems as sovereignty and territorial integrity of the republic". But in accordance with the agreement made between RSFSR and Georgia on May 7, 1920 the Soviet Russia recognized "Sukhumi region as territory which indisputably entered the composition of Georgian State". It should be also taken into account that as early as in May, 1918 Germany having made an agreement with Georgian Democratic Republic recognized Sukhumi region, i. e. Abkhazia as the part of Georgia. In 1920-1921 the Entente countries and Turkey also recognized Georgia "de facto" and "de jure" and hence they recognized Abkhazia as its integral part. Thus, entrance of Abkhazia into Georgia had intemational-and-juridical basis and the representative of RSFSR S.Orjonikidze was no authorized to decide in such a haste this problem, which was vital for Georgian and Abkhaz peoples.

Nevertheless, Abkhazia was declared Soviet Socialist Republic and the issue of its entering Russian or Georgian federation was under discussion. The formulation of question in that plane as such contradicted much century historical tradition of Georgian-Abkhaz relations. Abkhazia is Georgian and under the conditions of normal, objective discussion of this issue another alternative would be impossible. As for the formulation of the question concerning the entrance of Abkhazia into RSFSR, this could be estimated as a logical result instigator policy conducted by certain political, clerical and other forces - initially by tsarist one and later by Soviet Russia, the ultimate goal of which was estrangement of Abkhazia from Georgia, ousting of Georgian language, Georgian culture from Abkhazia and replacing them with Russian language and Russian culture (which was successfully achieved). One should also mention the certain errors made by the political circles, government of Georgia in their struggle for achieving and strengthening mutual trust between Abkhazs and Georgians. All this led to the fact that some circles of Abkhazs were sticking to pro-Russian orientation.

It is noteworthy that in the first days after Sovietization of Abkhazia (up to the end of March, 1921), Abkhaz official documents approved only the fact of establishing of Soviet power. They did not contain even a hint on independence of Abkhazia and forms of relations between Georgia and Abkhazia were not specified. Decision of this problem was postponed for the near future (until the Soviets Meeting). The leaders of Abkhazia contented themselves only with slogans of general nature such as "Long live the fraternal union of Georgia and Abkhazia!", "Long live Socialist Republic of Georgia!" "Long live new Soviet Socialist Republics - Georgia and Abkhazia!", etc.

After some hesitation independence of Abkhazian SSR was recognized by the Revcom of Georgia as well. The declaration of the Revcom of Georgia of May 21 concerning the independence of Abkhazia read that final decision on the issue of interrelations between Abkhazia and Georgia made at the first Meeting of Soviets both in Abkhazia and Georgia.

Declaration of the Revcom of Georgia on the independence of Abkhazia was announced by S.I.Kavtaradze at the first Meeting of Working People of Abkhazia (May 28-29, 1921), where the issue of Georgia-Abkhazia interrelations under the new situation was discussed. The Chairman of the Revcom of Abkhazia E.Ashba who made a speech at this meeting, stressed that after coming of the Bolsheviks to power "little Abkhazia acquired unvarnished factual independence". The resolution of the Meeting made in relation to the report of Ashba devoted to the soviet building read: "To exterminate national dissension and to strengthen fraternal union of Georgia and Abkhazia declaration of the independence of Abkhazia should be recognized correct. The meeting expresses its confidence that the first Meeting of plenipotentiary representatives of Red Army and worker's deputies of Georgia and Abkhazia will determine the final forms of fraternal cooperation between Georgia and Abkhazia as it is correctly indicated in the declaration of the Revcom of Georgia of May 21".

Resolution adopted by the Meeting in relation to the report of the deputy Chairman of the Revcom of Abkhazia N.Lakoba devoted to the national question, deserves special mentioning. "... The meeting of the working people of Abkhazia, - says the resolution, - expresses firm will to the most intimate mutual union and brotherhood of the working people of all Soviet Republics and first of all with workers and peasants of Soviet Georgia which are closest to us by culture, economic and geographic location and life traditions".

The issue about legalizing Georgian-Abkhaz relations more than once was discussed at the party and Soviet forums of the region. The Plenum of CCR CP(b) held on July 5, 1921 in the work of which participated J.Stalin, S.Orjonikidze, F.Makharadze, S.Kirov, A.Nazaretjan, M.Orakhelashvili, Ju. Figatner, N.Narimanov and A.Mjasnikjan discussed the issues of state system of Transcaucasia. The statements for Karabakh, Ajara and Abkhazia were made. After hearing the report of E.Ashba on the situation of Abkhazia, the Plenum of Kavbureau of CC RCP(b) held on July 5, 1921 made the following decision: "a) Report of E.Ashba to be taken into consideration; b) Approve the plan of narcomats reorganization; c) Suggest the Party Committee to accelerate calling the Meeting of the Soviets of Abkhazia; d) Lead party activities in direction of uniting Abkhazia and Georgia in the form of autonomous republic as a part of Georgia".

Thus, as early as in the beginning of July, 1921, approximately three months after declaration of the independence of Abkhazia, the Kavburaeu of CC RCP(b) presents Abkhazia as an autonomous unit of Georgia. The Conference of the Responsible Party Workers of Abkhazia held in the second half of July, 1921 approved the draft resolution "On Interrelationships between Abkhazian SSR and Georgian SSR" developed by Organizational Bureau of RCP(b) and Revcom of Abkhazia. This resolution stressed that Revcom of Georgia in its declaration of May 21, 1921 concerning the independence of Abkhazia contributes to the elimination of mistrust between Georgians and Abkhazs and that from then on between people of Georgia and Abkhazia were estabilished" even greater the working fraternal links... The Conference considered the declaration of the Revcom of Georgia as a guarantee for maximum autonomous rights for Abkhaz people's economic fate, which is organically related with that of Georgia". The Conference also stressed that "complete independence o'f Abkhaz people declared by Georgian Revcom is practically impossible since none of the small Soviet Republics could exist independently".

By the end of the 17th c. the population of Georgia exceeded 600 000. In accordance with the census conducted in 1770, the population of Kartl-kakheti was 220 000, Imereti - 199 000, Samegrelo - 75 000, Abkhazia - 64 000 instead of 600 000, as some Abkhazian historians, viz. Inal-lpa, Ashuba, Lacoba and others claim.

In 1867 the population of Abkhazia did not exceed 65 000. Of those 22 000 were the residents of Samurzakano', hence Abkhazs amounted to 43 000. In accordance with the census conducted in 1926 in Abkhazia resided 65 000 Georgians and 56 000 Abkhazs. According to the census conducted in 1979 the number of Abkhazs residing in Abkhazia was artificially overestimated to 91 000, while the number of Georgian population residing in Abkhazia was artificially understimated to 240 000. In reality of 530 000 residents of Abkhazia, 280 000 were Georgians, 80 000 - Abkhazs, 75 000 -Armenians, 70 000 - Russians, 35 000 - Greeks, Estonians, Jews, Turks and representatives of other nationalities.At all stages of  Georgia's existence Abkhazia was its integral part. Sometimes it entered the composition of Georgia as Abkhazian kingdom, while basically it was a province, autonomous republic. But in all cases Georgian and Abkhaz people together struggled for the strengthening of statehood of Georgia, they prayed in Georgian language, jointly were creating the history and culture of their country. It is regretful that on the route of many centuries history of Georgia, the sources of which date as far as pre-Christian times, there was a precedent of ethnic purge and genocide of Georgians in Abkhazia which was both unnatural and unacceptable for Georgian-Abkhaz relations. Discussion of Georgian-Abkhaz relations is special issue and I hope that our historians will return to this theme of paramount important theme more than once and will describe the historical succession of the events after joint life of Georgian and Abkhaz people.

 Gudauta District

 Gulripshi District (In 1959 Gulripshi Region did not exist.)