Gulo Kokhodze, Akhaltsikhe

HumanRightsCenter’s appeal to Abkhaz people – “Sorry” campaign, caused great interest in Akhaltsikhe. Representatives of the local government and regional media talk about the campaign.

Ia Gegeshidze, Journalist: I think that appeal has a little pathetic form. We, people, must not forget to share our love to other people. We ask for forgiveness, but it is interesting, how will they receive our apologies?

Nino Narimanashvili, Journalist: In General, apologies is a noble gesture. Why not? - I will ask for forgiveness, though, this does not mean that only we are guilty in this conflict. Both sides have to apologies. Let’s make the first step. I hope we will move the ice. And after that, our relations will get warmer.

Magda Kldiashvili, Student: I think that only wards and apologies will not be able to solve the problem. We will not be able to return Abkhazia without war and weapon. The Georgians know about it. Yes, I agree, that only few people decided to begin the war, but, not a little amount of Georgians were rubbing the Abkhazians’ houses. The Abkhazians also made a lot of bad things in this war. Georgia has to improve economic level. Besides this, we have to remember historical facts: the Georgians had to fight for the returning of the lost territories with weapon. It is necessary to have good politics, strong economy and strong army. Only with apologizes we won’t be able to return Abkhazia.

Marina Sudadze, The chief of the Akhaltsikhe Youth Organization Union: I have read the appeal to Abkhaz people, and of course, I agree and think that for both people this is a very painful question. I also agree that we were able to avoid the war and we have to ask for forgiveness to those Abkhazians, who suffered during the war. I am sure, that the conflict must be solved by peaceful way. We have to renew relations through the way of forgiveness, because such relations are stronger.

Vasil Beridze, the Chief of Akhaltsikhe Municipality: If it is necessary to ask for forgiveness, we must do it. We have to make everything to return Abkhazia as soon as possible. This is a pain and wish of common man. If we express positive attitude to those people who live in Abkhazia, this would be great.

Papuna Khachidze, the Presidential representative in Samtskhe-Javakheti: Both, The Goergians and Abkhazians have to understand that we are the children of one country. And there is no difference among us. We have to manage to ask for forgiveness. The Abkhazians also have to apologies, but the main thing is to love each other and to begin the restoration of the relations with such a noble form.

7 Jun. '07