Beim Ökumenischen Friedensgebet in der Baptistischen Kirche am 14. März hielt Eduard Schewardnadse spontan eine bemerkenswerte Rede, obwohl vom Protokoll vorher ausdrücklich erklärt worden war, der Präsident habe nicht die Absicht, das Wort zu ergreifen. Angesichts der Phalanx westlicher Botschafter, die nahezu geschlossen anwesend waren, erschien es dem Präsidenten anscheinend geboten, einige klärende Worte zum Thema Religionsfreiheit in Georgien zu sagen. Wir veröffentlichen die englische Niederschrift dieser Ansprache, außerdem die offizielle Entschuldigung der georgischen Regierung für die Übergriffe religiöser Eiferer auf das im Januar geplante ökumenische Friedensgebet, die Staatsminister Awtandil Dschorbenadse am 18. Januar überbrachte.

Speech of the President of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze, at the Evangelist-Baptist Cathedral Church

My dear friends,
Christians,
Dear Ambassadors!

I am here to give utterance to my contentment and admiration, which derives from seeing you, all Christians, or, to be more precise, representatives of all Christian folds, assembled here, under the same roof of this temple, in the capital of Georgia famed as the Virgin's lot.

I am happy to be a witness to this occurrence. I am happy because you are together, because we are together. But all of us have our own faith.

I am an Orthodox believer, but we are all Christians. It is what we should always bear in mind and keep intact this wholeness and unity.

Georgia is one of those countries on the planet whose roots go back the
farthest in history. Tolerance has become particularly entrenched in its
history and nature since the days we embraced Christianity.

Christ granted that we be together. And more than this: Georgia is a
multinational country, where Muslims and followers of other confessions have dwelt along with Christians in the course of centuries.

We live presently in a world of stark contradictions. It remains anybody's
guess when a bomb may blast. You probably understand what I mean. Therefore, we should pray for peace, and these prayers should be raised by all of us: Christians, Muslims, representatives of every religion, confession and nation.

But prayers alone will not keep us together. We have also to struggle, in
order that, through our benevolence, faith, love and respect to one another, we may put up resistence to the eradicating processes of which I already made a mention.

As was customary with my great ancestors, I go to an Orthodox church. But nor do I keep distance from synagogues, mosques or churches of different Christian confessions.

I feel respect for all who have confident belief in kindness and its
victory.

I am happy to see, along with Georgian citizens, the attendance of the
distinguished ambassadors and diplomats accredited in Georgia, who have come this evening to share our happiness.

I cannot but express a deep sense of regret, even resentment at the gross infringement of our unity, mutual respect and freedom of faith by some of the aggressors.

As the President of Georgia and a believer, I shall not restrict myself only to a mere expression of resentment. I do promise that the President and the Authorities of Georgia will do their utmost to grant every person freedom of expression of faith.

The state will exert its pressure on whoever comes in defiance of this
principle. You may stand assured that the aggressors will be brought to
justice.

I would like to greet you once more and wish you happiness and advancement
of goals. So as with Georgia, a multinational country of various religious
confessions, my wishes are for joy, happiness and prosperity.

The Address of Mr. Jorbenadze the State Minister of Georgia to the Representatives of Christian Confessions Suffered the violent Attack on January 24

18 January 2003
Cathedral of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia

Let me kindly express my personal sympathies toward you and your parish, and what is most important to give apologies on behalf of the President and the State authority concerning the negative events that took place in your Church.

This fact of religious violence has several reasons. First of all, Mr. Michael Naneishvili (MP) has noticed and I would like to confirm it too, that Georgians traditionally are religiously tolerant people. This was true from the beginning and we have been proud of our capital city of Tbilisi that was famous with its religious freedom, where the Christian Cathedral, Mosque, and Synagogue stood on the land of few square kilometers. Nobody was distinguished by his or her own faith.

Unfortunately, last decade had provided social cataclysms that became a solid basis not only to the religious violence, but to the wider social violence and crime as well. This issue also has its own serious reasons. The previous social environment and cultural values had been interrupted and new ones are still under construction. My viewpoint is that the lack of cultural values is a main reason of the social disaffection and violence.

We have to go through this transitional period together. I would like to remark that the most progressive and healthy part of our citizens, including Mass Media, permanently works to provide the right understanding and knowledge of high values and ethics for the entire society, which would fortunately provide positive social interaction and interrelation despite the denominational deference.

All Christian confessions represented in Georgia have a significant mission and role to play in this acute issue. Personally, I am Orthodox Christian, native Georgian. But my faith gives an important responsibility to be a tolerant with each confession, toward every thought and belief.

What can we do? I'd like to issue my point of view and I ask you to give me your arm to solve it. The first and most considerable issue is a strong state. The strong state will defend the legitimacy of law and the constitutional rights of our citizens. This is very important task that should be immediately solved.

Secondly, official structures of the home office should bolster their activities defending law and human rights. I have had a meeting with police authorities concerning the persecutions against the Baptists and Jehowah's Witnesses. Police authorities promised to do their best, but sadly they failed.

I would like to ensure you that we will investigate the reason of their failure. Police must realise its responsibility.

I have one request concerning the strong educational activities in our country. This is not the less important task. Utilising only official power we cannot change existed situation rapidly. Actually, violence will bear rival consequences.

The basic educational programs must be carried on, so each citizen will receive an important knowledge of the rights guaranteed by the constitution. Also, they should get full information on human rights and freedom of religion.

I guess, entire Georgian society should change existed situation step by step. Without our activities we may face more difficulties and problems. One more thing: violence must be overwhelmed and we must liberate our society from the violence. In this case I see the importance of all Christian confessions and parishes.

Christians must preach the creation of tolerance and liberal society. I do believe that this issue is significant. Therefore, we have to arrange special measures according to our duties and responsibilities.

One more issue: I think Georgian Orthodox Church has a special role and its activities shall define the equal opportunities of all Christian confessions in Georgia. So, activities of the Orthodox Church would be fruitful.

One more thing, I like to emphasise that visiting your meeting I am underling my special respect to you and to all confessions and denominations of Georgia. We proclaim the sovereignty of law, which defends the freedom of religion and belief.

Thirdly, as a representative of the state I would like to ensure you that we are ready to find out the best way to prevent violence in close partnership and cooperation with all Christian denominations.

This is all I want to say today.

Many thanks for your kind audience and let me again express my strong hope that we shall ennoble entire society by our cooperation.