27 years since the fall of Sokhumi
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, September 28
Georgia honors the memory of those killed in the armed conflict in Abkhazia. The state flag of Georgia is down on all administrative buildings in the whole territory of the country, the ministers lay wreaths at the memorial of the fallen heroes.
Tea Akhvlediani, State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality visited the Heroes' Memorial.
“We respect the memory of the heroes who died in the fight for the unity and freedom of Georgia. It is this memory that makes today a very strong symbol of the unconditional importance of peace. As for our policy, I believe that our efforts to further reconciliation will be strengthened,” said Akhvlediani.
13 months of military confrontation in Abkhazia claimed 30,000 lives, more than 300,000 became refugees. On the 27th anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia visited the memorial and said that there was no winner in this war and that this war was a tragedy for all of us, Abkhazians and Georgians.
“Today is a day of great pain. We all understand that this is the gravest tragedy for Georgians as well as Abkhazians. There are no winners in this war and this war is a tragedy for all of us, Abkhazians as well as Georgians. Today, 20 percent of Georgia's territory is occupied. Therefore, we must work every day to ensure that our children, together with Abkhazians - Abkhazians and Georgians, all of us together - can live in an economically strong, just, European, educated state. This is our duty to our children, and I am certain we will fulfill it,” noted Gakharia.
The Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia, together with the Head of the Presidential Administration Natia Sulava and the Commander of the Georgian Defense Forces, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, presented the children of Georgian Major General Geno Adamia, who died in the Abkhaz war, with the highest state award - the Order of National Hero. The title of National Hero was awarded to Geno Adamia by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister after his death.
The government administration stated that the public school N1 in Senaki will be named after Geno Adamia. Geno Adamia was appointed Deputy Commander of the 23rd Brigade in August 1992, and in September of the same year - Commander of the Brigade and Chief of the Sukhumi Garrison. His name is associated with almost all important and successful military operations to defend Sokhumi.
Today marks 27 years since the fall of Sokhumi. The military confrontation in Abkhazia began on August 14th, 1992. The conflict lasted for 13 months and 13 days. The battle for Sokhumi lasted for 11 days and ended with the fall of the city.
