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'There Is no Way to Peace; Peace Is the Way' - An Appeal to the Georgian Nation


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Government’s Mistakes Over Abkhazia

“The cool guys must be in Russia, not in Washington”

Tea Topuria, Tbilisi

A round table, initiated by journal “Sitkva” (meaning word in Georgian) was held in Tbilisi. Representatives of the Georgian government and oppositional parties were invited to the forum meeting to discuss the pressing issue of Abkhazia. The Human Rights Center (HRIDC), First Radio and Radio Mtsvane Talga also participated in the discussion. 

The members of round table discussed the following issues: promises made from the political parties about solving the conflict in Abkhazia; the steps that the current Georgian government has taken during in the last 4 years to resolve the conflict and what has been the result.

Ivliane Khaindrava, a member of the Republican Party and an MP:

“The current government was in a rather profitable situation to solve the issue of Abkhazia when it first came to power. Neither Mikhail Saakashvili, nor Nino Burjanadze and other members of their team participated in the war in Abkhazia and their hands were clean. This gave them the possibility on the part of the new government to open a new dialogue. This raises an important question: Why had not the government fulfilled its current initiatives 4 years ago?

Temur Iakobishvili, Minister for Reintegration, states that there were no economical conditions or concept at that time in place to build upon. However, economical cooperation was actually possible, wasn’t it? We finished working on the conception on Abkhazia at the beginning of the Rose Revolution period. It was like a gift from heaven for Saakashvili but he did not make use of this possibility.

What do we have to offer the Abkhazians? Our motto is: “Together in Europe!” but the Abkhazians answer “In Europe, but why not together at home!” Meaning they accept only half of our offers. Name any other offers 50 % of which is accepted by the Abkhazians. First of all, to fulfill this motto we must fight for strengthening Georgians drive for integration into Europe. As it now stands all of Europe is against Georgia’s receiving MAP program. Russia also has doubts Georgia’s actual orientation towards Europe. Germany, France, Great Britain are not our strategic partners. How can we even think to ask Abkhazians to live with us and come closer together with Europe in light of the terrible November 7 events in Georgia? The most important issue, however, is to address domestic politics.”

The Georgian-Abkhazian conflict remains stuck in a blind alley. It is difficult to speak about solving this problem under such circumstances.  The experts speak mostly on the first steps that would take us out of this alley. The rest depends on the situation that comes up after this. Temun Iakobishvili, State Minister on Reintegration Issues explains that that the Russian Federation has greatly disappointed the Abkhazians.

Temur Iakobishvili, the State Minister on Reintegration Issues: “The Abkhazians did not receive from Russia what they had expected the most – independence. The Russians only announced that Abkhazia was free within their own legal space. However, at the same time no guarantees were given to the Abkhazians. We declare that we do not want to negotiate behind their backs; we do not want to make any decisions without Abkhazians’ participation. We offer them a dialogue. We have never treated Abkhazians as what the Russians have. I call for Abkhazians to realize that the real threat is from Russia- the obliteration of their ethnicity. 

We must talk about objective reality pointing to the North Caucasus. The Abkhazians see what is going on in the North Caucasus. They see Adigheni, which the closest comparison to Abkhazia. This nation is on the edge of disappearing … and the Russians are fully responsible. We must convince Abkhazians to grasp our hand and go together towards Europe. Otherwise they will suffer the same faith of their North Caucasus neighbor.”

Shalva Pichkhadze, the representative of the United Opposition says that there is no Abkhazian government in Sokhumi that is capable of forming a political direction. The present Abkhazian government is being held hostage to the Russian Federation. The same problem faces the population living in Abkhazia. Consequently, the Abkhazian government is unable to choose the possibility of establishing relations with Georgia or with the West and united against the Russian Federation. This fact is especially true if we take into consideration what appear to have been rather inadequate actions on the part of Mikhail Saakashvili.

Shalva Pichkhadze: “Saakashvili published some of the government’s initiatives towards Abkhazia. However, I think he should have held secret negotiations, and only after such negotiations had reached some definite stage, then would have been the time to share the results publicly. These initiatives were only populist rhetoric at the time. Moreover, the activities of the Georgian authority were inadequate in comparison to the president’s statements. And it became reason for Abkhaz people to refuse to negotiate with us. I am somewhat certain but maybe there are some signals that will yet provide some hopes but for now we do not have information about them.”

Constant Fear

Ivliane Khaindrava said Georgian side is as far from Abkhazian side as has ever been. Much money is being spent on armament and this is counterproductive. Such a buildup of force frightens them even more and the reaction is that they are motivated to be that much closer to Russia. “According to NATO standards only 2 percent of Domestic Value should be spent on the reinforcement of military forces; however, in 2007 we spent almost 8 % on it,” said Khaindrava.

Temur Iakobashvili: “There are forces on both sides who think that it is high time to resolve the conflict through open hostilities. Now, either Georgian-Abkhazian people should make up again or break up for ever and live on opposite banks of the Enguri River. My position is: we must avoid war at any cost. A war will destroy both of us. Now we do not have only Kalashnikov and the war will exceed beyond our borders. We will face the danger of launching a Caucasian War. If we start war with Abkhazia with all our armament that means Abkhazia will become a field of death.

Although they try to provoke us, we can avoid the war. Luckily we have managed to stand firm and not be tricked into war with provocations; we still have enough courage and stamina to maintain peace.

Russia has breached international norms. Our right and responsibility is to appeal to international organizations. They are the ones that should react on the situation first of all. The reaction might come in two forms: Western countries rebuke Russia and it will be ashamed in front of the international forum, and to stop their aggression for several weeks. It has not been enough restore some connection with Georgia, and we must get beyond the zero-sum game in our relations. We should request that international organizations to offer a new peacekeeping plan that will bring about the reintegration of Georgian territory, a return of IDPs, and within such a framework to provide guarantees for their security and protection of their human rights. We have not discussed such a plan yet but to do so would be one positive step forward. Time and conditions for the return of our IDPs are very important from out perspective. We only want to have the honorable return of our people to Abkhazia with dignity and that corresponding guarantees be in place. IDPs who want to go back to their land should not have to be forced to accept any preconditions and they should be allowed safety return home.”

Shota Malashkhia, chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for the Territorial Integrity, stated the Georgian government has chosen a peaceful way to resolve the conflict.

Shota Molashkhia: “We had the opportunity to take advantage of the neutral attitude of 30 thousand Abkhaz people towards Georgia. These are the ones that come from mixed families and who did not participate in hostilities. It was and continues to be large capital resources for our politics. De-facto government does not participate in serious politics and it is the Russians who are actually making the decision for them.

All juridical assessment of the Georgian government regarding Russian annexing of our territory is supported by all western international organizations including European Union. Georgian president refused twice that Georgian people were ethnically cleansed in Abkhazia during his speeches in UN office and it cannot be forgiven-documents can prove it. Our economical proposals were also assessed as a form for constructive dialogue and cooperation with Abkhaz people.
We have managed that Georgian-Abkhazian relationship is full of our proposals and it is clear that we cannot accept Kosovo model in Abkhazia. Serbia received independent Kosovo because they never participated in peace-keeping negotiations. We are working within the framework of the Ahtisaary Peace Plan that they had to follow.”

Way to Abkhazia-Way to Europe

Temur Iakobashvili: “I cannot tell you anything new. Our course is well-known and we will implement it gradually. One of our directions is to provide for the protection of human rights in Abkhazia. We have implemented serious activities in the field. In most cases we will appeal to Strasbourg Court. Of course, Abkhaz people are against it. A tribunal might be established for Abkhazian cases and they will find out there who was guilty in the conflict. We never participated in ethnic cleansing and that is something that cannot be claimed from other side. Maybe, separate Georgian soldiers committed some crimes, I mean militants and it must be investigated and punishment made on the offenders.

In addition, we work on the projects of economic reintegration on behalf of international organizations who are our western friends and partners. We should explain to the Abkhaz what we promised them. Implementation of the plan has already started and it is on the level of national politics. In the past it was experiment but now it is state policy. Let’s mention an economic free zone: the issue has been discussed for approximately eight years but now it has received the status as a component of governmental policy. We have real results and based on them we will manage to cooperate with the Abkhaz. This topic cannot become political. All of us who have sat around this table are eager to achieve one ultimate goal. Nonetheless, there are different ways to view the issue and this is only natural.  Everybody cannot have the same common idea.”

Shota Molashkhia mentioned other investments too that should be made in Abkhazia.

Shota Molashkhia: “As Mr. Temur has already mentioned, the main point is to work on international level and reduce Russian repression in the region and this is necessary in encouraging the Abkhaz people to express their own will and make their informed choice. Otherwise, they will not be able to reply to our initiatives independently. OSCE level is not enough; European Union and America should also be involved in the process. Then we will start negotiating about the replacement of CIS peacekeepers with an international force. The implementation of the initiative should start before October 15, 2008 when UN is to pass a new resolution. UN should then make a binding decision that will provide for the replacement of the peacekeepers. Russia should feel oppression from international society in order to stop the aggression. If it happens then we will be able to manage to restore our relationship with Abkhazia and start making investments there. Large bank and cell companies intend to invest 50 million USD in Abkhazia. It is not small money for the first stage.”

Despite such a conversation, opposition representatives still think that government does not actually accomplish anything. Shalva Pichkhadze provided examples of several mistakes that the government made. 

Shalva Pichkhadze: “First of all we must stop neurotics claiming several kilometers have remained till Abkhazia and the distance is shortened day-by-day. It is negative ideology that aims to prolong false authority-musical clips, songs… Saakashvili said during pre-election campaign: We will return to Abkhazia in three months and in several weeks we will be in Tskhinvali. That is not the right way to do things!

Second: They should stop insulting statements: If Bagapsh wants to speak with me here where I live then let him come and carry on a conversation with me. Abkhazian people are sometimes called cannibals and sometimes to offer them to live in federal state. It is inconsequential, chaotic police state that will not succeed.

The third: the Georgian government should stop calling Abkhaz people marionettes and making following their declarations: “We have nothing to speak with Abkhaz people; they are managed by Russians and we will settle the issue with Russia. When such statements are made the only result is that the Abkhaz people are encourage that much more to be closer to the Russian Federation.

What should be done?

First: to hold a direct dialogue with Sokhumi and it should become more active. I think our president should personally arrive in Abkahzia and meet with the real government of Sokhumi. Why does not he go there; it is his juridical territory?!

Certain documents should be singed; of course the documents must not be contracts between two states.

As for slogan: Together in Europe! We can invite Abkhaz people to Europe when we are also going towards Europe. Why do leading European countries feel negatively about Georgia? … it is because our diplomatic corps are very weak in every country. There are some very comic people acting as ambassadors in Europe, Russia, and China. Russia is the front line for diplomatic struggle and who have been ambassadors there during recent years? The strongest diplomatic team should work in these countries. The best professionals should not sit in Washington but be working in Russia.”

3 Jun. '08

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