Abkhazia took leave of president

…First president of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba died after serious illness on 65 year of life last year and also in Moscow. He was sick for long time, understood that he was leaving and entrusted to buy him on bank of river Gumista where line of front was in war time. He was buried in native village Nizhnie Eshery on territory of memorial complex constructed in memory of countrymen killed in battle.

President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh said at that time about his predecessor on highest state post: “Don’t know what exactly broke his health: extremely inhuman loads of heavy, durable work as head of state and leader of nation or influence of our enemies, but it happened. Vladislav Grigorievich Ardzinba remained himself up to last minute in spite of serious illness. Vladislav Ardzinba saw Sergey Bagapsh as his successor exactly. Unfortunately, destiny didn’t give much time to second president of Abkhazia – he had also gone just after 60-th anniversary…

Thousands people came to international airport “Sukhum” named after Vladislav Ardzinba to meet coffin with body of Sergey Bagapsh which was brought from Moscow to Sukhum by aircraft TU-154 of Russian Air Force. Sergey Bagapsh dreamed about opening of airport for flights therefore vice-president Alexander Ankvab executing obligations of president now according to constitution of republic sad: “I promise that his dream will come true. We will open airport this autumn for certain”. And added: “Both streets and avenues will carry his name”.

About 400 boys and girls lighted candles in streets of Sukhum on Wednesday evening in memory of died second president of republic, and tens thousands people came to say goodbye to him on the whole way of funeral cortйge: along main road from capital of republic – Sukhum – to native village of Sergey Bagapsh – Djerda – stood people. President of Abkhazia was buried in native garden after mourning meeting under sounds of national anthem of Abkhazia and guns volley.
Probably the most famous Abkhaz of the world – Fazil Iskander said main thing: “He came to leadership in hard for Abkhazia time and was able to do everything possible for revival of nation life on new stage”.

Russia took sad new closely to heart. People carried flowers to building of diplomatic mission in Mamonovsky pereulok, wrote records in open book of condolences. Counsellor of Abkhazia em¬bassy Tatiana Gulia tells: “Many people called, in particular, members of Abkhazian diaspora, citizens of Abkhazia and Russia not only from Moscow…Sergey Vasilievich lived here, there were many friend of him in Moscow. Many of called people cried, remembered about meetings with head of state”.

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev came to say good bye to Sergey Bagapsh and present his condolences. Ambassador of Russia in Abkhazia Semen Grigoriev noted: “In spite of it sounds as banality but we need much time to look to this figure from height of years. Among other things he was big, handsome, powerful and kind man. As for me personally I had happiness to be his friend and I wanted very much that in his times Abkhazia got wide international recognition of the legitimate rights and Sergey Vasilievich namely represented it on international arena but unfortunately this didn’t happen”.

Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin flyed to funeral of Sergey Bagapsh. He spoke about most important with Alexander Ankvab executing obligations of president during meeting with him:
“I am sure Abkhazian people will feel themselves in security and they can be sure that Russia as nearest ally and as faithful friend will be near with Abkhazian people and will help to overcome problems, to get back on feet without assistance. My knowledge makes me to be sure that joint plans will be realized.

Our joint debt – to continue work, everything being started in previous years. Russia and Abkhazia will do it – will finish way of recovery of economy, infrastructure, social sphere of Abkhazia”.
The only one fact tells about attitude to Russia in republic: when Vladimir Putin came to hall of pannychida all present stood up…One can remember yet how Sergey Bagapsh quite recently called “swinishness” appearance in Abkhazian press caricature of Putin and Medvedev allegedly tear from Abkhazia part of it’ territory…

Mourning was declared in countries which had to fight for independence with weapon in arms like Abkhazia. South Ossetia is connected with Abkhazia by common historical destiny that is why relations of republics were most close always. When Sergey Bagapsh died holiday measures had to take place just in that time in Tshinval devoted to day of South Ossetia independence declaration act subscription in 1992. Famous Russian artists were invited to festivities. It was also planned inauguration of big sport object – stadium with five thousand seats. All these measures were abolished because of Sergey Bagapsh death. And grand meeting devoted to independence declaration act will begin from silence minute…

President of South Ossetia Edward Kokoity noted that “Sergey Vasilievich was great friend of South Ossetia. He arrived frequently to Tshinval and knew not from others words how high is degree of respect and love to him from citizens of our republic. True fraternal relations con-nected me with Sergey Vasilievich of which I was proud and valued always. Nobody else could give hope, support and inspire faith so. I lost senior friend, like-minded person and loyal ally in face of Sergey Vasilievich”.
Edward Kokoity arrived to Abkhazia on funeral reported that he took with him “The Book of Sorrow” with “numerous condolences of South Ossetia inhabitants, mothers of fallen in battle defenders of Fatherland, those fellows who defended Abkhazian land together with you”.
Mourning was also declared in unrecognized Transdniestrian Moldavian republic in day of president of Abkhazia funeral. Flags were lower at Transdniestria territory, and entertainment measures were abolished in institutions of culture, television and radio. President of Trans-dniestrian Moldavian republic Igor Smirnov arrived to Sukhum to take part in mourning measures. He said that in these days inhabitants of Transdniestria grieve together with Abkhazian nation.
Delegation of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic also arrived under leadership of chairman of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Parliament Ashot Gulyan. President of one of states recognized independence of Abkhazia expressed condolences: president of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega outlined that Sergey Bagapsh was “deserved and honest leader of state”.

Now it is said much about political heritage leaved by Sergey Bagapsh. He didn’t write any “political testament”. But he spoke much what had to be done in his interviews and public statements.

President of Abkhazia answered so to the question in March interview to “Tribune”: “Will you continue to meet with people in public reception room?”
- Will continue though it is great load. There are plenty financial problems. People ask money for apartments and houses repair, medical treatment of children, parents. What tradition do we have now? If any of elders is sick their relatives come to president for help immediately. In what country of world is it possible? We permit this because we leaved from heavy situation, from war. We have many wounded, many contused. This is why I spent much money for these purposes and consider this my main achievement. Unfortunately, many figures now come to politics, showdown and forget about mercy, human relations.

And one more question: “Will you take part in elections?”
- No, this is ruled out. I consider nobody in history of Abkhazia must not take part in elections more than two terms. It can’t be possible in any case. There is Constitution, there is law. If breaking law once this process can’t be stopped. There are no irreplaceable people, but there are many good, competent people. Last events in Middle East show what processes begin when leader seats on one place for so long. New man will come, new president with new ideas. We have many people with own ideas. Win elections, nominate yourselves.
Elections will take place soon – during three months. Naturally, name of possible of Sergey Bagapsh’s successor is discussed yet. Somebody estimates chances, analyze possibility of new figures appearance…But – “Let’s talk about elections not now. Understand, please, real grief is in Abkhazia”, - said vice-president of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab executing obligations of president temporarily.

Nevertheless analysts, of course, analyze situation yet. So, leading expert of Centre of Political Conjuncture Pavel Salin considers that leadership of Georgia may try destabilize situation in republic after Sergey Bagapsh death.

Why? Because Georgia is quite seriously disturbed by possibility of Abkhazia recognition by world community. Analyst shows as sample developing in last time relations of Abkhazia and Turkey where up to half million Abkhazian people live according to some estimations: “let us assume the same Turkey is going to recognize independence of Abkhazia, Turkey has very close relations with this region and it is very profitable. This is why Georgia is afraid that world community will recognize independence of Abkhazia according to geopolitical and geoeconomic causes”. By the way, delegation of Turkey headed by official representative of prime-minister arrived to Abkhazia to take part in ceremony of farewell with president of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh.

One variant of Saakashvili behavior – to brisk up the work of puppet “government” of Abkhazia which is hidden, of course, in Georgia. But here Saakashvili meets no problem but simply catastrophe: he will not find traitors in Abkhazia as well as opponents of union with Russia.
Modest Kolerov – famous expert – stated: “Unexpected death of president of Abkhazia Sergey Vasilievich Bagapsh as distinct from similar situations around leaders of most postsoviet states did not create problem of stability and succession of authorities in Abkhazia. Absence of discord during transition of power, authorities succession system – his creation, main result of his work”.
Presentation of book “Russia and Abkhazia. Two states – one nation” had to take part in Russian capital in these days. Famous Russian politician Konstantin Zatulin wrote it and he is Honoured citizen of Abkhazia. Of course, presentation was delayed to later date. But it is impossible to delay or abolish Russia and Abkhazia union yet. And president of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh made serious deposit for making “two states – one nation”.

Blessed his memory!