Soviet Georgia Plans Independence Referendum

Georgia’s parliament, claiming that the Kremlin is waging an undeclared war against the republic, announced Thursday that it has decided to follow other rebel Soviet republics and hold a referendum on independence.

“The central government is waging an undeclared war against the republic, which has refused to participate in the creation of the so-called new federation and to sign the union treaty,” a statement issued by parliament said.

Georgia is among several republics that have refused to sign a draft treaty defining the relationship between the Soviet Union’s 15 republics and the central government.

The nationalist parliament voted to hold a referendum on independence March 31, when voters will be asked: “Do you want to restore the state independence of Georgia based on the declaration taken on May 26, 1918?”

Georgia, a republic with a history of strident nationalism and armed struggle, experienced a brief period of independence from 1918 to 1921, when it was crushed by the Red Army.

Parliament also voted to hold peace talks with the rebel region of South Ossetia. Leaders of the region declared last September that they wanted to form their own republic within the Soviet Union rather than be part of an independent Georgia.

Soviet Minister of Internal Affairs Boris K. Pugo said this week that 33 people had been killed and 145 wounded in ethnic fighting between Georgians and Ossetians.

Georgian leaders accused the Kremlin of supporting the South Ossetians to create instability.

“There is no doubt that the central government supports the Ossetian troops. The troops have the latest arms, including rockets and grenade launchers,” the statement by parliament said.