ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the implementation of Soviet nationality policy in Abkhazia from the establishment of Soviet power in 1921 until the destruction of the ethnic Abkhazian leadership and the effective seizure of control by the central Georgian leadership in 1936-38. After the declaration of the Democratic Republic of Georgia (DRG) on 26 May 1918, an Abkhazian National Council was established, which concluded an agreement with the Georgian government on 11 June for military assistance. Korenizatsiia began from the very start in Abkhazia with the appointment of ethnic Abkhazians from Lakoba's circle to top leadership positions, especially in state agencies. In the summer of 1925 the Transcaucasian TsIK sent a commission to investigate the situation in Abkhazia, headed by I. Azatian, which produced a scathing secret report. The deficit of qualified Abkhazian cadres, the principle of proportionate ethnic representation in government organs must have been seen by the Abkhazian leadership as overly optimistic.
