ABKHAZIA - The desire for independence is getting louder!

ABKHAZIA - The desire for independence is getting louder!

The nation of Georgia faces serious internal problems and this applies to Abkhazia and South Ossetia respectively. The Abkhazians are now demanding to break free because of the Kosovo situation and they desire to create a new independent nation state or to join with the Russian Federation via special autonomy. South Ossetians are also watching events and of course they will follow suit. So can Abkhazia obtain independence?

If we look at how America and other nations, for example France and the UK, have supported the independence of Kosovo, then from an Abkhazian point of view they also have the same rights. Obviously this also applies to countless other nations where you have either frozen conflicts or ongoing problems. So Abkhazia is merely following the same logic and putting two and two together. Of course many nations warned about this but major Western powers desired to ignore this reality and their excuses are lamentable to say the least.

Yet how valid is Abkhazian independence? If we go back to the early 1990s then the demise of the former Soviet Union led to rampant nationalism and the entire region was engulfed. For example South Ossetia demanded independence from Georgia, while in neighbouring Azerbaijan they had a terrible civil war in Nagorno-Karabakh between mainly Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan. Also, southern parts of the Russian Federation were engulfed and this most notably applies to Chechnya, but also in other areas like Daghestan, Ingushetia, and North Ossetia.

Sadly since this time little progress appears to have been made and old hatreds or faultlines still exist. These faultlines are fueled by either ethnicity or religion or a mixture of both. However, the Abkhazians are both Christian and Muslim alike and most are pro-Russia because they believe that only Russia can help them in their struggle against Georgia. Yet for Georgia, this issue is like Chechnya or Dagestan in the Russian Federation, it is an internal issue.

Also, what makes this issue even more global is the energy dimension because America and Turkey, and the EU, desire to limit the roles of both the Russian Federation and Iran respectively. Given this, this issue is of strategic importance because for the Russian Federation chaos gan be used in order to spread their military leverage. Yet policies in Georgia have not helped and the central government is blighted by internal political tensions and past negative policies towards Abkhazia.

However, the "icing on the cake" for Abkhazia is the Kosovo legacy because they believe that this situation must also apply to them. Therefore, Abkhazians will increasingly grow in confidence and Georgia will feel isolated and angered by the Russian Federation. So this issue looks set to inflame passions on both sides and further bloodshed appears most likely in the near future.

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Russian Federation supports autonomy for Abkhazia in Georgia

Russian Federation supports autonomy for Abkhazia in Georgia

The Russian Federation supports autonomy for Abkhazia in Georgia and PM Putin is adamant that this is the best solution. After all, the US educated leader of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, stated that autonomy was the best solution. However, after the Russian Federation sent unarmed military troops to Abkhazia, leaders in Georgia have been quick to rebuke the Russian Federation. Therefore, will a clash develop between both nations or will this crisis be contained?

For the Russian Federation, and Abkhazian leaders, this is a case of American and European double standards, because what is the difference between Abkhazia and Kosovo? Therefore, why does America and Europe believe that one nation should obtain independence while the other should remain under the central state? Given this, then surely Western leaders must view their stance in light of their recent action over Kosovo.

Also, NATO expansion is making the situation worse and both Georgia and the Ukraine have talked about joining NATO. However, from Russia`s perspective, then surely Georgia is trying to upset the applecart and it is this action which is leading to even more tensions. So why is Georgia bent on joining NATO?

The main reasons for Georgia wanting to join NATO are geographical insecurity, anti-Russian motives, pro-Western factors, and the need to build bridges with all the leading institutions within Europe. Also, Georgia is playing the "great game" with regards to energy politics. So this is also important and Georgia is clearly supporting the USA and Turkey with regards to energy politics. However, this, like NATO, is seen to be over the top and aimed at the Russian Federation.

Also, we can not forget about the genuine problems from the outset which have blighted Georgia and this notably applies to nationalism. Therefore, the more Georgia looks to the West, the more Abkhazia looks to the Russian Federation and of course sooner or later a major clash may erupt? Given this, Georgia should become more pragmatic towards the Russian Federation.

However, at the moment the leaders of Georgia appear to be more focused about internal issues and supporting America and the European Union. So, from a Russian Federation perspective, it is clear that some Western nations are interested in causing turmoil in Russia`s backyard via Georgia. Therfore, the leaders of Georgia must find a fresh way in order to move closer to the Russian Federation.

Lee Jay Walker Dip BA MA
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