Comments on: Georgia’s other IDPs http://caucasus.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/08/17/georgias-other-idps/ The World Affairs Blog Network Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:50:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Bruce http://caucasus.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2009/08/17/georgias-other-idps/comment-page-1/#comment-1333 Bruce Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:06:11 +0000 http://caucasus.foreignpolicyblogs.com/?p=42#comment-1333 Interesting article. However, I spend quite a bit of time in Abkhazia. The only Georgians that are in danger if they return are those who fought in the militias. They would be subject to trial. There are no political prisoners in Abkhazia nor have there been. So, Georgians are free to return if they chose. Economic conditions are poor in Gali district as they are in all of Abkhazia. It is somewhat better in Gagra because tourists come there from the Russian border. It is only a few miles away and is probably the most picturesque location on the Black Sea. But the real reason for the poor economic situation in Gali and Abkhazia is not because of oppression by Abkhazians, but because of Georgia's policies. Georgia has done its absolute best to isolate Abkhazia. It is not possible to use an ATM because Georgia has pressure the companies that process card usage. There is no movie theatre because it is impossible to get a license to show films, the locals have to use a Russian mobile code to communicate. Georgia has spent millions lobbying Washington politicians (esp. neocons) so that only their voice is heard. Russia is demonized as an occupying power and there is no counter to the Georgian lobby for Abkhazia in Washington. In return, the U.S. has lavished billions in aid on Georgia and they have used the money to rearm and threaten Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Eventually they attacked South Ossetia. This would have been very difficult without American financial aid. So, with a reduction in Georgian pressure on the U.S. and international recognition, Abkhazia can develop as it should and the Georgian citizens ( who are not oppressed as the writer seems to believe) can take part in the growth. Several other facts: Elections are free in Abkhazia and in opposition to what has happened in Georgia. Many if not most Georgian nationals that left Abkhazia actually went to Russia, which Georgian officials never talk about. Russia is criticized for issuing passports to Abkhazian and South Ossetian citizens, but what is rarely mentioned is that about 90% of all the citizens of the states of the former Soviet Union are eligible for Russian citizenship. Russia has assumed the Soviet Union's seat in the U.N. Security Council and all of its international obligations. As a result, it is not hard for a Ukrainian or another national to get Russian citizenship. There are about 1.5 million Georgians living in Russia now. Interesting article. However, I spend quite a bit of time in Abkhazia. The only Georgians that are in danger if they return are those who fought in the militias. They would be subject to trial. There are no political prisoners in Abkhazia nor have there been. So, Georgians are free to return if they chose.

Economic conditions are poor in Gali district as they are in all of Abkhazia. It is somewhat better in Gagra because tourists come there from the Russian border. It is only a few miles away and is probably the most picturesque location on the Black Sea. But the real reason for the poor economic situation in Gali and Abkhazia is not because of oppression by Abkhazians, but because of Georgia’s policies. Georgia has done its absolute best to isolate Abkhazia. It is not possible to use an ATM because Georgia has pressure the companies that process card usage. There is no movie theatre because it is impossible to get a license to show films, the locals have to use a Russian mobile code to communicate. Georgia has spent millions lobbying Washington politicians (esp. neocons) so that only their voice is heard. Russia is demonized as an occupying power and there is no counter to the Georgian lobby for Abkhazia in Washington. In return, the U.S. has lavished billions in aid on Georgia and they have used the money to rearm and threaten Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Eventually they attacked South Ossetia. This would have been very difficult without American financial aid.

So, with a reduction in Georgian pressure on the U.S. and international recognition, Abkhazia can develop as it should and the Georgian citizens ( who are not oppressed as the writer seems to believe) can take part in the growth.

Several other facts:
Elections are free in Abkhazia and in opposition to what has happened in Georgia.

Many if not most Georgian nationals that left Abkhazia actually went to Russia, which Georgian officials never talk about.

Russia is criticized for issuing passports to Abkhazian and South Ossetian citizens, but what is rarely mentioned is that about 90% of all the citizens of the states of the former Soviet Union are eligible for Russian citizenship. Russia has assumed the Soviet Union’s seat in the U.N. Security Council and all of its international obligations. As a result, it is not hard for a Ukrainian or another national to get Russian citizenship. There are about 1.5 million Georgians living in Russia now.

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