Chatham House
Meeting Summary: Russia and Eurasia Programme
Georgian-Abkhazian Relations:
An Inside Perspective
Some Points of the Speech
Arda Inal-Ipa
Center for Humanitarian Programs,
Sukhum, Abkhazia
There is a shortage of objective information about Abkhazia in the EU as the western community uses Georgian sources, which are part of the country’s effective PR machine. Unlike other unrecognized regions, Abkhazia has never had an opportunity to speak in front of an international audience; Abkhazian leaders have repeatedly been refused visas and thus have not been able to put forward their visions and ideas at international fora. Abkhaziahas been sentenced to isolation and sanctions without an opportunity to defend itself. In 1996 sanctions were imposed and only finally lifted by Russia in 2008, yet Russia was also helping Abkhazia financially before then. Since 2008 contact with Europe is more difficult. Western input would be appreciated as Abkhazia is trying to build a democratic society.
Georgian-Abkhazian Relations:
An Inside Perspective
Some Points of the Speech
Arda Inal-Ipa
Center for Humanitarian Programs,
Sukhum, Abkhazia
There is a shortage of objective information about Abkhazia in the EU as the western community uses Georgian sources, which are part of the country’s effective PR machine. Unlike other unrecognized regions, Abkhazia has never had an opportunity to speak in front of an international audience; Abkhazian leaders have repeatedly been refused visas and thus have not been able to put forward their visions and ideas at international fora. Abkhaziahas been sentenced to isolation and sanctions without an opportunity to defend itself. In 1996 sanctions were imposed and only finally lifted by Russia in 2008, yet Russia was also helping Abkhazia financially before then. Since 2008 contact with Europe is more difficult. Western input would be appreciated as Abkhazia is trying to build a democratic society.
The news of the European policy of engagement without recognition was met initially with hope. Our Georgian colleagues from civil society have also considered this policy important for conflict transformation. However, various fora and cultural exchanges have been undermined because of visa issues. The policy has been put aside by the EU countries and has become a part of the Georgian policy of engagement with the so called ‘occupied territories’ The Georgian idea that there is no conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia has started taking root in the EU. The vision of Abkhazia as “an occupied territory” does not correspond to reality. The Russian troops are seen in Abkhazia as guarantors of security. The government of Abkhazia is not a puppet regime; several Abkhazian-Russian commissions were established to discuss bilateral issues. There is an Abkhazian point of view which often diverges from that of Russia. Nevertheless, Russia remains an important and
useful neighbour. The EU’s misleading signals are making Abkhazians suspicious of European intentions. Abkhazians would like to think that the EU's goal is not replicating the Georgian political agenda but is focused on
the restoration of peace and stability in the Caucasus. De-isolation would help this goal. Abkhazia does not want to be a phantom Cold War frontier between the West and Russia.
http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/Research/Russia%20and%20Eurasia/161211summary.pdf
http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/Research/Russia%20and%20Eurasia/161211summary.pdf
1 comments:
This article struck a chord in me, as it is quite evident that what it says is true. From a simple Wikipedia article full of errors to a Google search for "Abkhazia", and one can easily see the Georgian/Western (American?) influence in suppressing any truths that can come about from learning about Abkhazia and its true history. Misinformation here is quite rampant and obviously to the benefit of Georgians, who use this to their advantage when arguing about their so-called "historical" claims about Abkhazia to the world (I am unsure yet if the world is either easily duped or whether they choose to ignore the truth for the sake of political trysts). I can only hope that with time, this situation will change, and somehow the people of Abkhazia can tell the world their own story based on their own truthful and credible facts. Without Abkhazia, they cannot claim a medieval Christian presence in the Caucasus (for much of their history, they were in fact an Islamic emirate or puppet state under the reign of foreign rule, a fact that they neglect to mention when glorifying their history to others and which completely contradicts their claim to be one of the "oldest Christian" presences in Trans-Caucasus). Thank you for posting this.
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