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Sir,
Among the conditions laid down at the
Cannes Conference concerning the invitation of the Government of Soviet
Russia to the Conference of Genoa is one (clause 6) by virtue of which this
government must abstain from any aggression against its neighboring
states.
On January 21, 1921, the Supreme Council recognized the independence of Georgia de
jure. Previous to this, on May 7, 1920 the Moscow Government signed a treaty
with Georgia whereby they
recognized complete Independence and
sovereignty of the Georgian
Republic and renounced for ever the right of interference in her internal
affairs. In spite of this Treaty, the armies of Soviet Russia, without any
formal declaration of war or any pretext whatsoever invaded Georgia on February 11-12, 1921.
Thanks to overwhelming superiority, both in number and technical equipment,
and to the help of the Angora Government, the Bolsheviks, defeating the
Georgian Army, seized Tiflis and towards the end of March, occupied Georgia. The
Georgian Government found themselves compelled to
leave the territory of the Republic. From this moment, Georgia came under military occupation—a
situation analogous to that of Belgium,
Serbia and the Northern
departments of France
during the World War.
The democratic institutions of the State were annulled, the independence of Georgia and
the political freedom of the population abolished. Power now is in the hands
of the so called “Revolutionary Committee” appointed from Moscow,
and composed of the late employees of the Moscow Soviet Government, who
entered Georgia
in the wake of the Russian armies.
These armies are the sole forces of the “Revolutionary Committee,” governing
the country by a regime of merciless terror. This so called “Government” of
Soviet Georgia remains absolutely foreign to the Georgian people, being
opposed by all political parties of Georgia and all classes of
society.
If conditions set forth at the Cannes Conference are not empty words, they
must imply Russia’s
obligation to withdraw her armies from Georgia and restore the Georgian
people their right of self-determination. It should be pointed out here that
the very interest of Europe and peace of the
world demand the application to Georgia of Clause 6 of the Cannes Conference.
(1) If Europe bears in silence the crying injustice committed against Georgia
by the Government of Soviet Russia then this will mean the sanctioning of the
right of any great power to attack its neighbours and seize their territory;
(2) While the Moscow armies are in Georgia, that is, on the frontiers of Asia
Minor, there will be no peace in the Near East for, possessing Georgia, the Bolsheviks are practically the masters of Angora.
(3) Until the restoration of independence
of Georgia and also of the
other Transcaucasian
Republics, there will be anarchy in Transcaucasia, which will undoubtedly hinder the
economic development of this very rich country.
These are the considerations which impel the Georgian people and their
representatives abroad to hope that the Great Powers, and in particular the
Great Britain, will, in accordance with Clause 6 of the Cannes Conference,
demand from the Bolsheviks the withdrawal of their armies from Georgia.
It is apparent that it would be advantageous to the study of the problem in
all its aspects that the voice of Georgia should be heard prior to the
Conference of Genoa, that is, the voice of her legal Government, elected by
the people, and even in exile retaining unbroken connection with, and
confidence of, their country.
Noe Jordania,
President of the Georgian National
Government
http://matiane.wordpress.com/2009/08/28
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