Tbilisi Works over Concept of Abkhazia Conflict Settlement







Tbilisi seeks for a new approach to make
a breakthrough in the deadlocked conflict.
Situation in breakaway Abkhazia, which de facto seceded from Georgia as a result of 1992-1993 bloody conflict, makes headlines of Georgian media again following the downfall of ex-Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze’s regime. Developments in Abkhazia were largely overshadowed by the last November’s political turmoil and Adjara crisis.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s statement, that return of Adjara to Tbilisi’s fold would bolster Georgia’s reunification, prompted Abkhaz side’s fears over possible escalations in the region.

In a letter sent to the UN Chief Military Observer in Georgia Maj. Gen.  Kazi Ashfaq Ahmed, de facto Abkhaz Defense Minister says that ā€œthe Georgian secret servicesā€ intend to trigger escalations ā€œunder the pretext of mass revolt and mass disobedience campaignā€ in the Gali district of Abkhazia, which is predominately populated by the ethnic Georgians.

ā€œGeorgian special purpose troops plan to undermine situation in the Gali district. Weapons, ammunition, national flags of Georgia and posters of the Georgian President [Mikheil Saakashvili] of are brought into the coastal villages of the Gali district,ā€ Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reports quoting Viacheslav Eshba.
 
He also requested the UN Chief Military Observer Maj. Gen.  Kazi Ashfaq Ahmed to closely observe situation in Kodori gorge, which is the only territory of breakaway Abkhazia under the Tbilisi’s control. Abkhaz side fears that Tbilisi might use strategic Kodori gorge as a powerbase for a military attack on Sukhumi, Abkhazian capital.
 
ā€œInstead of withdrawal of its troops from Kodori, as agreed between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides in 2002, the Georgian side plans to bring special purpose troops into the Kodori gorge under the pretext of the anti-terrorist operation,ā€ Apsnypress news agency reported quoting Viacheslav Eshba.
 
Georgian State Minister Goga Khaindrava, who is in charge of conflict resolution, denies allegations as ā€œabsurd and groundless.ā€ He will visit Sukhumi on May 20 to allay Abkhaz side’s fears.


ā€œTbilisi will use only peaceful means to solve this conflict. I have already talked to de facto Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba on phone and explained that the statement of their Defense Minister [Viacheslav Eshba] was absolutely groundless and absurd,ā€ Goga Khaindrava told Civil Georgia.


The Chief of Staff of the Georgian armed forces Maj. Gen. Givi Iukuridze also denied that Georgia plans to use force in order to gain control over breakaway Abkhazia. He said on May 14 that dispatching of troops to Kodori and Gali are not planned.

State Minister Goga Khaindrava also said the peaceful end of the Ajaria crisis is a message sent Abkhazia that Georgia is determined to use only peaceful means to settle the conflict.

According to Khaindrava the Georgian leadership has already launched consideration of a new concept over Abkhazia conflict settlement.

ā€œThe document, which outlines in details all the aspects ā€“ economic, legal, political, of the conflict resolution, will be at first discussed by the Georgian National Security Council. Only after that we can disclose the details of the concept,ā€ Khaindrava told Civil Georgia.

Political analysts Paata Zakareishvili, who participates in regular meetings with the representatives of the Abkhazian non-governmental organizations since 1996, was among the experts who developed the concept.

ā€œThe concept proposes creation of two-member federal state, which should be acceptable for both Georgian and Abkhaz sides. Georgian side should demonstrate to Abkhazians that along with restoration of territorial integrity it is very important for us to guarantee dignity and security of Abkhazians,ā€ Paata Zakareishvili told Civil Georgia.

It is expected that the details of the concept, which is the first ever written document outlining Georgian government’s outlook on the ways of the Abkhaz conflict settlement, will be disclosed in coming weeks, by the UN Security Council meeting, scheduled for July 31.

Political analysts say that Georgia’s new government, which has successfully passed its first real test by resolving Adjara crisis peacefully, now will focus on Abkhazia and South Ossetia ā€“ Georgia’s another secessionist region.

Observers suggest that presidential elections in Abkhazia, scheduled by this autumn will be a further impetus for Abkhaz conflict settlement. Abkhazians will elect their new leader, as ailing current de facto President Vladislav Ardzinba’s term of office expires this year.