Lincoln Mitchell, Columbia University expert in Caucasian questions said that in Abkhazia the elections were held in a more democratic environment than it was in Georgia.
The analytical article with his interview was published in New York Times concerning the Presidential elections in the occupied region and the position of the West in this respect.
"NO foreign observer was present at the Presidential elections in Abkhazia, nobody warned them about the Supremacy of law, and nobody congratulated Alexander Anquab with the victory in elections from the West. Many Western organizations condemned the elections in the occupied region under the call of official Tbilisi. EU as well does not recognize the constitutional-legal frames in which the elections were held, Catharine Ashton, EU Foreign Policy head said. NATO declared it does not recognize the elections. Nevertheless the condemnation of political processes in this region badly affects the authorship of the West and its influence over the South Caucasia in a range of questions.
First of all under the South Caucasus standards the elections were quite competitive. Anquab won with 54% of votes. It is truth that elections were far from the ideal one but all three candidates during the elections campaign were trying to attract electorate. All three candidates given the equal time over the TV channels. However this was not a case in the national elections, which were estimated by the Western leaders as model elations for the Abkhazia. Here during many years on the political arena the National Movement of Saakashvili dominates. Secondly, there almost is not a proof that Moscow predetermined the outcome of elections. AT the same time the openly adversary position of the West to this elections increased the influence of Russian Federation to the elections unconsciously, "- the article reads.
The USA expert said that refusing the democratic aspirations of Abakhia and support for the Tbilisi's uncompromised isolation policy, the West losses the levers for the forcing Abkhazians to negotiate for the status of Abkhazia.
"The Western position for non recognition of Abkhazia is correct. But the policy for the isolation is uncreative and nonproductive. The West selectively cooperates with the range of states which are not recognized. It supports the economic ties and projects in the Dniester region of Moldova. As well for UK and USA the Northern Cyprus citizens' passports are acceptable. For the more constructive role in Caucasus the EU last year choose the strategy of "non recognition and inclusiveness" in connection with Abkhazia. They aim of this strategy was the development of contacts with this region. Nevertheless the strategy was frozen for the bureaucratic replacement in EU and Georgian aggressive lobby.
Eventually the fast results were not followed after the Western decision for newly elected President. He has to strengthen the weak economy in Abkhazia himself. He has to attract somehow investments and restore the destroyed infrastructure. He has to cautiously rule out from the dependence from Russian Federation, "- the article which was published in Foreign Press reads.
