Gennady Gagulia
Encyclopedia
Gennady Gagulia (born 04 January 1948) is a two-time former Prime Minister of Abkhazia
(January 1995 - April 1997, November 2002 - April 2003) and the current head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
During the Georgian-Abkhaz war in the early 1990s, Gagulia was a member of the Abkhazian Defense Committee, which was responsible for, among other things, the distribution of food, at a time when Abkhazian forces only controlled a section of the country.
in 1994. Gagulia was appointed in January 1995.
As Prime Minister Gagulia had a reputation for being the most strongly pro-Russian of Abkhazia's Prime Ministers. He steadfastly opposed both reunification with Georgia and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Georgian-Abkhaz border. He has also alluded to the possibility of Abkhazia unifying with Russia.
Gagulia was also heavily involved in negotiations over the future of Abkhazia, choosing to handle negotiations himself, rather than sending envoys, as has generally been the case with other Abkhaz leaders. In this role, he has met with a number of foreign leaders, including the Presidents of Russia Vladimir Putin
and of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze
.
In 1997, Gagulia resigned from the Prime Ministership, citing health reasons. In between his two stints as Prime Minister, Gagulia was the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia. He was also Deputy Prime Minister under Anri Jergenia. When Jergenia was fired on 29 November 2002, Gagulia was appointed Prime Minister for the second time.
. President Ardzinba initially refused to accept Gagulia's resignation, but was forced to agree on 8 April. Vice President Valery Arshba
denied on 8 April that the government's resignation was due to the prison escape, and stated that instead it was caused by the opposition's plans to hold protest rallies on 10 April.
On 15 December 2003, Gagulia was appointed head of the Presidential administration, succeeding Miron Agrba. On 18 June 2004, Gagulia resigned from his post, stating "There is a certain scenario to the presidential elections in Abkhazia. I don't match this scenario and thus I prefer to step down."
It had been suggested that Ardzinba may have also favoured Gagulia to replace him as President, but Ardzinba instead decided to back then-Prime Minister Raul Khajimba.
On 24 June 2004, Gagulia was again appointed head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia, succeeding Yuri Aqaba. Gagulia has remained in that position till the present day.
Abkhazia
Abkhazia is a disputed political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.Abkhazia considers itself an independent state, called the Republic of Abkhazia or Apsny...
(January 1995 - April 1997, November 2002 - April 2003) and the current head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Early career
In 1972 he graduated from Civil Engineering Department of the Belarusian Polytechnic Institute. From 1973-1977 - worked at Stroymaster as superintendent, chief engineer, head of the construction site. From 1977-1986 he was Deputy Director of Works Catering Lake Riza, From 1986-1991 he was the chairman of the Gudauta district consumer cooperatives. From 1991-1992 he worked at the State Committee for Foreign Economic Relations, Council of Ministers - Abkhaz ASSR. From1992-1995 He was Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia.During the Georgian-Abkhaz war in the early 1990s, Gagulia was a member of the Abkhazian Defense Committee, which was responsible for, among other things, the distribution of food, at a time when Abkhazian forces only controlled a section of the country.
First period as Prime Minister
Gennady Gagulia was the first person to fill the post of Prime Minister which came into existence with the adoption of the Constitution of AbkhaziaConstitution of Abkhazia
The Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia was adopted by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia of the 12th convocation on November 26, 1994, and by the national referendum on October 3, 1999, with an amendment adopted by the national referendum on the same day.-Structure:The...
in 1994. Gagulia was appointed in January 1995.
As Prime Minister Gagulia had a reputation for being the most strongly pro-Russian of Abkhazia's Prime Ministers. He steadfastly opposed both reunification with Georgia and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Georgian-Abkhaz border. He has also alluded to the possibility of Abkhazia unifying with Russia.
Gagulia was also heavily involved in negotiations over the future of Abkhazia, choosing to handle negotiations himself, rather than sending envoys, as has generally been the case with other Abkhaz leaders. In this role, he has met with a number of foreign leaders, including the Presidents of Russia Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin served as the second President of the Russian Federation and is the current Prime Minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. He became acting President on 31 December 1999, when...
and of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze
Eduard Shevardnadze
Eduard Shevardnadze is a former Soviet, and later, Georgian statesman from the height to the end of the Cold War. He served as President of Georgia from 1995 to 2003, and as First Secretary of the Georgian Communist Party , from 1972 to 1985. Shevardnadze was responsible for many top decisions on...
.
In 1997, Gagulia resigned from the Prime Ministership, citing health reasons. In between his two stints as Prime Minister, Gagulia was the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia. He was also Deputy Prime Minister under Anri Jergenia. When Jergenia was fired on 29 November 2002, Gagulia was appointed Prime Minister for the second time.
Second Resignation as Prime Minister and further political career
In the evening of 7 April 2003, Gagulia's government filed for resignation. Early in the morning of that day, nine prisoners had escaped, four of which had been sentenced to death due to their involvement in the 2001 Kodori crisis2001 Kodori crisis
The 2001 Kodori crisis was a confrontation in the Kodori Gorge, Abkhazia, in October 2001 between ethnic Chechen fighters and Abkhazian forces. The crisis was largely neglected by world media, focused on then-actual US attack on Afghanistan...
. President Ardzinba initially refused to accept Gagulia's resignation, but was forced to agree on 8 April. Vice President Valery Arshba
Valery Arshba
Valery Arshba was the first Vice President of the Republic of Abkhazia. He was first elected to that office on 5 January 1995, under President Vladislav Ardzinba, and the pair was re-elected in the 1999 Presidential election where they ran unopposed...
denied on 8 April that the government's resignation was due to the prison escape, and stated that instead it was caused by the opposition's plans to hold protest rallies on 10 April.
On 15 December 2003, Gagulia was appointed head of the Presidential administration, succeeding Miron Agrba. On 18 June 2004, Gagulia resigned from his post, stating "There is a certain scenario to the presidential elections in Abkhazia. I don't match this scenario and thus I prefer to step down."
It had been suggested that Ardzinba may have also favoured Gagulia to replace him as President, but Ardzinba instead decided to back then-Prime Minister Raul Khajimba.
On 24 June 2004, Gagulia was again appointed head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia, succeeding Yuri Aqaba. Gagulia has remained in that position till the present day.