Factually after 18 years of conflict in Abkhazia, in Georgia the question of recognition of independence of Abkhazian republic raised. Mamuka Areshidze, expert in Caucasian questions initiated the plan for recognition of independence of Abkhazian Republic. Areshidze believes that the rising of Abkhazian legislative status is the only way to save the Abkhazian ethnos melt down the ice between Georgians and Abkhazians and to make possible its reconciliation. The most part of the public met this initiative with critics.
Areshidze, initiating such suggestion was based on the fact that the process was deadlocked. Despite for "attractive strategy" of our government towards Abkhazians, they cannot make it work. The Western partners unfortunately are not working in this direction anymore. They have many other problems. Among them the problem in South Africa, in Afghanistan. At the same time the process of "reset policy" with Russian Federation is pending. Shortly, the situation is deadlocked. The today's situation is that we loosed Abkhazia. But at the same time we have no perspectives to return it. Notwithstanding that West recognizes that Russia occupied the territory and Russia feels himself uncomfortable, this is only a feeling and nothing more.
That is why, Areshidze considered it necessary as the only chance for the radical change of the situation to initiate the plan for recognition of independence. Moreover now Russia feels very convenient in such situation and is not in a situation as in 80's when Russia was ready to agree for any suggestion of the West. Russia is active in direction to the South Caucasus, particularly to Abakhzia and Tskhinvali. All other interested parties are bound. Taking all this in consideration Mamuka Areshidze sees the deadlocked situation and the only way to come out of it would be the recognition of Abkhazia, he believes. This would be an interesting beginning of the new process. To begin the process it is necessary to involve Abkhazians in the negotiations process. For this we need to raise its legislative status.
In this situation, firstly the Western partners will get an additional stimulus in UN; and form the other side Russia will appear in a difficult situation. Russia constantly talks about the necessity to give the status of a independent state to Abkhazia. Russia tries to do this over forcing little states to recognize Abkhazia and to make his republic recognizable on the international arena, then to pose this question from the UN tribune. Nevertheless in case if Georgia will do recognize Abkhazia, then Russia losses the possibility to make maneuvers in this respect.
Areshidze supposed that the preconditions for recognition of Abkhazia should be withdrawal of Russian Forces from occupied territories. Incase of recognition of Abkhazia Georgia will sign the agreement on "non aggression" and the international community will be a guaranty for non renovation of military actions. The presence of Russian Army on the occupied territory will not has a legal basis anymore. The question is what Abkhazians will say in this respect. Are they willing to keep Russian troops on own territories? Areshidze said he mean that Georgians have to start a process to make Abkhazians as own allies as much as possible. At the same time he does not mean to use the same approach to S.O. The Abkhazian question is quite different. They see well that for the last period the saving of its ethnic fund is very questionable. Sooner or later Abkhazians will get into very deep troubles. It is possible that no Abkhazians will remain in Abkhazia.
What about other conditions, one of them is - the return of refugees with international guaranties.
Areshidze said the only reason for this initiative is to come out of a bog. He said that now all in Georgia think that the Abkhazian problem will decide someone else but not we ourselves. He wishes to wake up the community and the government.
Mamuka Areshidze climes that he made this declaration because he knows the situation well. He said that the final picture how Russia tries to seize Abkhazia is developed now. Russia acts likewise it acted in 19 century on the Northern Caucasus. This is an establishing of "military settlements". Firstly the army will be entered then a little fortified zone will be established, then the families of the militaries will be settled there. Such processes are now currently in Abkhazia. This will follow by the seizure of territories. Then on these territories settled people will name it own homeland. This happens at the benches of Kuban, Terek, when Russians misappropriated these territories over such methods. Now Kazaks are naming this land a homeland. The same will happen in Abkhazia as well. Moreover the Abkhazian Republic so-called authorities concluded an agreement with Russian Forces that after the accomplishing of the terms of service all Russian militaries have a right to get a land or flat in Abkhazia. This was a reason for many Russian officers to serve in Abkhazia. In any way Russians are getting land in Abkhazia.
The other factor is a Russian Orthodox Church, it acts in different directions, in different parts of Abkhazia. It creates the community of pilgrims. They are arriving to Abkhazia and organizing there different communes. Now they are not too many, about 300 people. Nevertheless the process will continue.
The third factor is that Russian Federation works under the law, which prohibits foreign citizens to buy a land in Abkhazia. Russia will press Abkhazians in such way. Abkhazians will not be able to restrain to Russians. Russians will get a strategic advantage over all Black sea coastal line. And in such case the words of Jirinovski will come real "Abkhazians and Ossetians have to be our salves!"
"First of all we never return Abkhazia which will be cleared from Abkhazians. That is why I care about Abkhazians. We need to save Abkhazians and to make them our allies to have a chance in the future to return them, "- he said.
