Foreign dignitaries pay homage to victims of April 9 tragedy
Recognised as a public holiday, April 9 also marks the restoration of Georgia’s independence from Soviet Union. Photo: Mzia Saganelidze (RFE/RL)
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Foreign dignitaries in Georgia on Saturday paid homage to the victims of April 9, 1989 dispersal of a peaceful pro-independence rally in Tbilisi, where Soviet troops killed 21 and injured hundreds of civilians.
American, British, German, Lithuanian, Norwegian and Swedish diplomats offered their tributes to the memory of the Georgian citizens who died after the riot troops assaulted them on Rustaveli Avenue in the capital.
US Ambassador Kelly Degnan visited the April 9 memorial in front of the Parliament building, near the area where the attacks happened, to place a wreath in honour of the victims.
The US Embassy also issued a statement on the anniversary, saying Georgia had had its “share of vivid nightmares at the hands of its aggressive neighbor [Russia].”
On April 9, 1989, this brutality was personified by Soviet troops, assaulting and killing pro-independence demonstrators, creating painful memories. However, Russian brutality does not define this day—rather, April 9th belongs to Georgians who showed unprecedented courage and who wanted their country to be free and led Georgia forward toward independence,” the US Embassy wrote.
UK Ambassador Mark Clayton said the Georgian people had “fought hard for their independence, sovereignty and prosperity” in a tweet posted in Georgian.
საქართველოს მოსახლეობამ ბევრი იბრძოლა დამოუკიდებლობისთვის, სუვერენიტეტისთვის და კეთილდღეობისთვის.
— Mark Clayton (@MarkClaytonFCDO) April 9, 2022
9 აპრილს, პატივს მივაგებთ მათ, ვინც 1989 წელს საკუთარი სიცოცხლე შესწირა საქართველოს თავისუფლებას. #9აპრილი https://t.co/V6EQrGg06z
Hubert Knirsch, the Ambassador of Germany to Georgia, also visited the April 9 memorial, while the Embassy commemorated both Georgian and Ukrainian people who have sacrificed their lives in independence struggles, saying “people should never have to die so that others can live in freedom.”
Today we remember the bloody suppression of the protests in Tbilisi on April 9, 1989. We also think of the victims in Ukraine, of the Ukrainian people fighting for their freedom,” the German Embassy wrote.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid homage to the “21 brave souls losing their lives in the 1989 massacre,” adding Lithuania would continue supporting Georgia on its Euro-Atlantic path.
Congratulations #Georgia on the Day of National Unity - this day honours the sacrifice of 21 brave souls losing their lives in the 1989 massacre by Soviets&the 1991 Independence Restoration Act. #Lithuania ???????? maintains its steadfast support for???????? European and Euro-Atlantic path. pic.twitter.com/SZ7fuNsIR3
— Lithuania MFA | #StandWithUkraine (@LithuaniaMFA) April 9, 2022
Helene Sand Andresen, the Ambassador of Norway to Georgia and Armenia, honoured the “sacrifice” of the April 9 demonstrators, noting the day had also become a symbol of national unity in the country.
On 9 April 1989, while peacefully rallying for Georgian independence, 21 persons were killed and hundreds injured by Soviet troops. In remembrance of the victims, we honour their sacrifice. #DayofNationalUnity ????????????
— Helene Sand Andresen (@SandAndresen) April 9, 2022
Ulrik Tideström, the Swedish Ambassador to Georgia, honoured “all those who gave their lives for a free Georgia,” highlighting Sweden’s “unwavering support” for Georgia’s sovereignty.
On 9 April 1989 Soviet troops crushed peaceful Georgian demonstrations for freedom. Two years later Georgia reclaimed independence. On this Day of National Unity we honor all those who gave their lives for a free Georgia. And we continue our unwavering support for ???????? sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/foF2fcQ6yV
— Ulrik Tideström ???????????????? (@UTidestrom) April 9, 2022
In his comments, European Union Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said Georgia had "heroically stood up" against the Soviet military 33 years ago, noting the country celebrated this day "with tears."
Recognised as a public holiday, April 9 also marks the restoration of Georgia’s independence, as the Georgian legislative body passed the declaration of independence on the date in 1991, based on the results of a referendum on March 31 that year, where an overwhelming majority of Georgians voted for the country to secede from the Soviet Union.