After a long ‘Soviet pause’, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was first opened in an independent Georgia in 1992. Naturally, its original team was tasked with the objective of setting up new avenues, defining foreign policy, forming ties on the international arena, gathering allies, and building friendly relations with them. Ergo, those diplomats found themselves under the focus of a magnifying glass, as treading the aforementioned new paths in order to achieve victory for the team depended on their dexterity and accuracy. Levan Mikeladze was one of the prominent figures among them.

An economic geographer by profession, he was invited to head the European Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He soon moved to the office of Eduard Shevardnadze, The Head of State, and in 1994 continued his internship at Stanford University on the Fulbright scholarship. He later became Georgia’s ambassador to Austria, the United States and, later, to Switzerland. He also had the honour to be Georgia’s representative to the UN and OSCE.

It was Levan Mikeladze’s activity that resulted in the signing of the document at the 1996 Lisbon OSCE Summit confirming the “mass extermination and forced expulsion of Georgians” in Abkhazia. At the 1999 Istanbul Summit, again, through the involvement of Levan Mikeladze, it was decided that Russia withdraw its troops from Georgia. In 2002, when Russia struck Georgia on the basis of the presence of Chechen “militants” in Pankisi, the OSCE International Border Monitoring Commission was set up as a result of a swift and apt diplomatic response, saving the country from war. Levan Mikeladze’s efforts led to the implementation of the Georgian-American “training and equipping program” – this was the first time that US troops and instructors arrived in the former USSR with equipment, thus, our military personnel passed the training program by American standards.

‘A gift to Levan Mikeladze, who put Georgia on the American political map,’ – Zbigniew Brzezinski, an adviser to former US President Jimmy Carter on national security, made this memorable inscription on the book he presented to Levan.

David Zalkaliani, Levan’s Colleague:
Diplomat, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Levan was 10 years older than me. In 1992, in the newly established ministry still only employed about 100-120 people. Now where the training centre is located, there used to be a canteen. We all knew that when we arrived in the morning, we had to go to the canteen first, where bread was distributed by coupons. It was a difficult time. I met Levan in that very bread queue.

He worked in the political department, where he had staff with analytical skills and special vision. In 1996, he was appointed ambassador to Austria and offered me a job at the embassy. Setting up an embassy is a separate topic for discussion altogether. We were a total of 4-5 people; yes, it may not be much, but the ambassador’s choices in terms of cadres, taking into account the individuality of each one bears great significance in this process. He was a good manager; he could always perfectly staff the embassy. The Lisbon Summit was scheduled in December of the same year. If two years ago, at the Budapest summit, we managed to achieve a good result when ethnic cleansing facts were confirmed in Abkhazia, now, in Lisbon, we wanted to prove that an actual genocide of the Georgian population took place, because such political, legal documents hold great power. Decision-making in the OSCE is made through consensus; even if a single delegation opposes, a decision cannot be adopted. Therefore, we had to work out all the mechanisms to increase pressure on Russia. It was necessary to coordinate not only with Tbilisi, but also with Washington, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Ankara – all the decision-making centres. The decision taken at the OSCE Lisbon Summit is, to date, one of the most tangible results for us when it comes to international assessments of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.

“I can never hit the brakes when talking about Levan. If I have anything to show in the field of diplomacy, I have learned it all from him: negotiation techniques, human relations, managing the diplomatic staff.”

Russian diplomats have always been tough negotiators. We had relations with two such Russian diplomats in Istanbul. That couple were representatives of the old, Soviet school; so, called ‘yes men’, who never smiled and looked at you as an enemy. On the other side facing them sat the complete antipode of theirs – Levan. Levan could turn negotiations around in such a way that even the enemy would sympathize. Negotiation is like a trade; you start bargaining from the position of the highest stakes to achieve the desired result. At some point we realized that we had reached an impasse, a dead end and Levan’s involvement in the process would be necessary. I have never seen him to be so furious. He personally joined in the talks even though there were no meetings schedules involving diplomats of his level; at first, we were talking to experts. They listened in astonishment, then they took a 45-minute break and, finally, we got a political declaration, where the definition of genocide in Abkhazia “mass destruction and forced eviction” was officially fixed. The Istanbul Summit of 1999 was one of the watershed moments. At that time, Russia signed the withdrawal of its troops from Georgia. It is true that then the new leadership of Russia delayed the process, but still had to fulfil the obligations taken under that document. Levan had amazing connections in the US and the West, and it was precisely that support that materialized at the Istanbul Summit. At that time, many of our high-ranking officials assured Shevardnadze that it was not worth irritating Russia. But Levan knew exactly when to be soft and when to be unwavering.

In early 2000, the Russian president made a statement that Chechen terrorist “militants” were being harboured and rehabilitated in Pankisi and that this was to be dealt with. So, the bombing of Pankisi gorge began. Suddenly, we were left one-on-one with Russia. Levan’s idea was that it was necessary to create a “border monitoring mission” in the OSCE, which would enter Pankisi, become a deterrent and provide objective information to the international community. It was December 22nd, with Christmas approaching. The OSCE has suspended its activities until the 10th of January, and the ambassadors were also on vacation; even though during such times, it is hours that matter, let alone days. Levan immediately called a Norwegian diplomat, Ambassador Kai Eide at his residence telling him that there was a need to urgently convene a permanent council. Ambassador Eide, who chaired the Permanent Council, was a highly qualified diplomat, a heavyweight if you will. On the 23rd, he convened a meeting of the OSCE Standing Committee and set up a “Border Monitoring Mission”, which played a significant deterrent role, so, Russia could not carry out its plan.

As I have already mentioned I can talk about Levan endlessly. To this day I have never met so-called Opinion Makers in the US, whether in the White House, in Congress, in the US National Security Council, or the State Department (his old fellow diplomats) who do not remember Levan. Even now, in critical situations I have caught myself numerous times thinking – What would Levan do?

Shortly before his death, I visited him in Geneva. He was already working for a petroleum company there. He seemed to be kind of depressed and when I asked him about politics, he told me – it’s not my business. However, I knew that he was feeling very upset over the results of August 2008 events. And that is why he decided to go into politics. He believed that with a consolidated front, with great support he had from Europe and America, much could be achieved. This is how the Free Democrats party was founded in 2009. This whole political movement was just beginning when in a few months, Levan was no more. I’m sure he could have done a lot in politics too, but he felt best in diplomacy, it was his domain.

Archil Gegeshidze, Friend:
Diplomat, Director of the Levan Mikeladze Foundation

We have known each other from the age of 16; we studied together at the Tbilisi State University. when Levan was appointed Head of the First European Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992, he asked me to join him as his deputy. A very significant date was fast approaching; The Head of State was to address the world from the UN platform on behalf of Georgia. Mr. Eduard Shevardnadze had his own ‘speechwriter’, Teimuraz Stepanov, who wrote speeches very well, and Levan and I, along with several other young people, had to work with him. The Head of State was satisfied with the prepared speech and this was the reason why we were transferred to Shevardnadze’s office in a few months. In the so called ‘Imeli’ building. The newly formed analytical group, led by Tedo Japaridze, had to work directly with The Head of State.

“When Shevardnadze called us, he would listen to all of us, and Levan, in particular; I always felt it. And we were very so young, only 32-33 years old. “

When the Head of the State was preparing to meet a foreign partner, he should have known everything about the relevant issues, even what probable topics could be touched upon during the conversation. Therefore, everything what that directly or indirectly related to Georgia, be it relations with our neighbours or regional and global problems – we processed and analysed all kinds of information. There was a lot to do and we had issues distributed among team members. And at that time, we did not have decent internet. I remember, once we went to the Soros Foundation to meet Mikheil Chachkhunashvili and asked him to build two “dial-up” lines for our department.

Later, Levan first worked as an advisor at the newly opened Georgian Embassy in Washington, and then as the head of Georgia’s diplomatic mission to the OSCE. Thus, he worked as the head of Georgian diplomatic missions in the United States and Geneva. He left an important mark in Georgian diplomacy, participated in all the processes of state importance, which defined the pro-Western strategy of our country. One of the most tangible topics for Georgian military servicemen was the implementation of the training and equipment programme, financed by the US. There was no precedent for such a programme even in the Baltic states, already knocking on NATO’s door Even the Baltic states, soon to become full-fledged NATO members, did not have such a level of cooperation. This was happening in Georgia, where Russia enjoyed exclusive military presence for 200 years. The second very important issue was the Baku-Supsa pipeline, which had to export energy resources from the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to the European markets. This pipeline was like an icebreaker because it was soon followed by the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Shah Deniz gas pipeline. These three pipelines formed the basis for the creation of an energy corridor through Georgia, which ultimately put Georgia on the mental map of foreign decision makers.

Naturally, Russia fiercely opposed all this, demanding that the Soviet-era Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline be used for oil exports and that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project be completely neglected. It was at this time that two terrorist attacks were carried out against Shevardnadze, and, separately, on Aliyev as well, who almost changed his mind about starting the project. Finally, the US President, Bill Clinton himself intervened. He personally called Aliyev and convinced him of the need for constructing an energy corridor through Georgia. This case, on the one hand, needed diplomatic support, and on the other hand, we had to convince foreign investors of its necessity. It was not an easy task – there was unrest in the region – from our side there were conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, from the other side – the war in Chechnya. Levan provided diplomatic support from the OSCE. The launch of this important energy corridor was preceded by numerous meetings, correspondence, confidential and open meetings, in which Levan was actively involved.

Levan’s name is related to the solution of another issue of epochal importance as well. Above we have mentioned the 200-year history of Russian military presence in Georgia. Through Levan’s efforts, his diplomatic skills and his organisational talents, it was decided at the 1999 OSCE Summit to withdraw the Soviet-era military bases from Georgian territory. Levan then headed the Georgian mission to the OSCE and carried out a huge amount of preparatory work to resolve the issue positively. Since then, the existence of Russian military bases on the territory of Georgia has become illegitimate, and at the end of 2006, the last Russian soldier left the territory of Georgia.

Levan’s name worked like a backstage pass everywhere. I felt this well even when I was appointed Ambassador of Georgia to the United States. Levan worked in the US for 10 years before me and earned a good name. This proved to be a massive advantage in terms of reaching new goals for me. Today, running the Levan Mikeladze Foundation, I especially feel his loss, and most of all, I miss Levan as my closest friend.

Mamuka Mikeladze, Levan’s Brother:

He was a humble and modest man by nature, but if state interests demanded it, he would never back down. He could, at any time, even at 3 o’clock at night, call any top-ranking politician – ‘there is an emergency, we have to talk.’ He even had a special way of how he viewed friendship. If you asked any of his many friends, they would tell you that they were Levan’s closest friend. Only two years separated us, however, I have spent my entire life in humility towards him.

In 2006, the government of Georgia at the time decided to remove him from the position of an Ambassador to the United States and Levan continued his diplomatic service in Switzerland. In my opinion, it was very difficult for him to cooperate with the then-government of Georgia. The last drop came on November 7th of 2007. When I called him later that evening, he told me that he had made, albeit a difficult, but the only ethically, morally correct decision. I was dumbstruck by his sudden passing. He was completely healthy and full of life. He returned from Geneva with his family on the 23rd of April of 2009, departing this world on the 26th.

He left such a warmth that his death became not only a family tragedy but also the eternal grief for his vast circle of friends.

Lali Chikvaidze, Wife:

Levan grew up in a very warm and loving family. After graduating from university, he started working at the Academy of Sciences.
He was very interested in Oriental culture, he loved Persian poetry and during his university studies he studied Farsi along with English. He was delighted when asked to start work as a translator in Afghanistan, in a medical facility. Unfortunately, in 6 months after his arrival in Afghanistan, a military coup took place there, so, Levan had to live in a rather tense situation. However, it was a very important experience for him. He loved this country so much that after returning to Georgia he dedicated his dissertation to the topic of agriculture of Afghanistan.
We got married in 1983. Soon we had two daughters: Tinatin and Mariam. We had a happy family; he was a special father and a husband. There was never a time when we didn’t host huge groups of his friends and I have amazing memories of that time.
In 1992, Levan continued work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was soon transferred to the Office of the Head of State as an Advisor on Foreign Relations. This was a very difficult period in the history of the independent Georgia. It was as if the rhythm of life had suddenly changed. He started his diplomatic service first in Washington, then in Vienna, then again in Washington and finally in Geneva. Of course, those were very exciting years, but at the same time quite challenging. It was often not easy to adapt to the new environment.

“We married in 1983. Soon we had two daughters: Tinatin and Mariam. We had a happy family. He was truly a special father and spouse.”

Levan was a good companion. He loved people and easily got along with them. Those encounters often led to close friendships.

His activities have long been linked to the country’s foreign relations, so he was particularly hard hit by the entry of Russian troops into Georgia during the August 2008 war, especially because, few years before, it was Levan who was actively involved in the negotiations that led to the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia. I will never forget his happy face when he returned from the Istanbul summit.

I was often asked why he went into politics in the end. This process started very slowly. On November 7th of 2007, when he resigned, he did so because he believed that violence that took place on that day was incompatible with his values. After that, a few months later, he started working for an oil company in the foreign relations dimension. Back then, we still lived in Geneva. And in 2008 we had our first grandchild; it was a great joy!

In August of 2008, when the Russian army pierced through Georgia, all the way to Gori, Levan could no longer sit idly by. It was as if all of his efforts were thrown under the bus – everything he had ever done before. It was then that the most difficult period began – his entry into politics.

He had many interesting plans and intentions, but, unfortunately, he did not receive the chance to implement them. On April 26th of 2009, Levan passed suddenly. His departure is an incurable pain for our family and friends. I also think it is the biggest loss for our country. It is a pity that our grandchildren, Niko and Nino, do not remember their ‘Babu’.

Despite the great pain, I am happy to have spent 27 years with such an extraordinary man and friend.