EXTRACT FROM THE GAZETTE OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA

9 February, 1918

Attended: A. Chkhenkeli, K. Meskhi, G. B. Gvazava, P. D. Sakvarelidze,

N. I. Kartsivadze.

Representative of the Abkhaz People’s Council A.G. Shervashidze

The guests: M.G. Emukhvari, N. K. Marghania, Colonel Chkhotua and

B. Tsaguria.

Chaired by A. Chkhenkeli

Secretary: D. Nakhutsrishvili

The discussed issue:

… discussed the future relations between Georgian and Abkhazia. It was found that:

1. Abkhazia, at any mean, wants to be an independent political entity and have with Georgia only neighborly relations on the basis of equal partnership.

2. Samurzakano, as a part of Abkhazia, will not follow the Abkhazs if the latter have no moral-political ties with Georgia.

The Georgian side expressed its inclination to see Abkhazia as a part of Georgia but equipped with the full internal independence (broad autonomy) like it is considered for Muslim part of Georgia, but the proposal was denied by the Abkhaz representative. After that

B. Ckhenkeli delivered the speech and introduced the draft Provisions:

1. to establish one united Abkhazia from the River Enguri to the River Bzinta, which will include Abkhazia itself and Samurzakano, i.e. the current Okrug of Sukhumi.

2) Elaboration of a future political arrangement, based on the principles of national self-identification, is a competence of the Constituent Assembly of Abkhazia.

3) If Abkhazia and Georgia decide to conclude written agreement with other nations or states, they are obliged to have prior negotiations on this issue with each other.

Decree:

The Provisions introduced by B. Ckhenkeli were adopted, but the Abkhaz People’s Council will discuss them separately and inform the Executive Committee of the National Council of Georgia on the results.

Chairman

Clerk

Secretary: (signed)

(Central State Historical Archive of Georgia , f. 1836, desc. 1, file 2, p. 44; ibidem, p.1823, desc.2, file 1, p. 157-158)