Four Principles for Tbilisi’s Abkhaz Policy

While the Georgian authorities are developing a peace plan for the settelment of the Abkhazia conflict, a group of Georgian experts recommended that the government recognize four principles – involving the abandonment of military rhetoric, objective assessment of the 1992-93 Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, equal treatment of the Abkhaz side and lifting economic sanctions from Abkhazia – as cornerstones of Tbilisi’s Abkhazian policy.

Sixteen representatives from those civil society organizations which have been actively engaged in so called public diplomacy with their Abkhaz counterparts over the last decade sent an open letter to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on January 6, saying that implementation of these four preconditions will be vital for launching “constructive talks” with the Abkhaz side.

The open letter is signed by representatives from various non-governmental organizations – including the Caucasus House, Open Society Institute – Georgia Foundation, Studio Re and the Caucasian Dialogue Foundation – as well as by separate individuals.

No to Military Rhetoric

The open letter sets the recognition of peaceful means for resolution of the conflict as the only way to solve the problem along side the refution by the Georgian governement to use military rhetoric as its authors’ number one principle.

“This principle is rather important because the Georgians are still perceived by the Abkhazians as aggressor… This notion is further nourished by the persisting political formula [by the Georgian side]: ‘We are ready to solve the conflict through peaceful means, but if [we] fail, we will resort to military force.’ While pursuing this kind of policy, talks about peace are perceived only as rhetoric,” the open letter reads.

The authors of the letter believe that, against the background of military rhetoric, the Abkhaz side will also be more oriented towards preparing to repel an anticipated aggression.  “This situation,” states the letter, “will defiantly lead to a lack of trust in the negotiation process.”

“Reiteration of a non-violent resolution to the conflict is important, especially now, when [the Georgian government] announced the development of the armed forces as one of its top priorities. We should announce clearly that there is not, and will not be, a military confrontation with the Abkhaz people listed in the missions of our army… Threats towards Abkhazia mean insulting Abkhaz national pride. Without allaying these feelings, the conflict will never be solved,” continues the open letter.

Assessment of Conflict

The second recommendation made by the letter to the Georgian government considers an “extremely objective, comprehensive and sincere assessment” of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict vital.

“The launch of the war in Abkhazia, wartime and the post-war period should be thoroughly analyzed… Without this kind of assessment, the process of negotiations will always be accompanied by the burden of the past,” the open letter reads.

The authors also say that, in its assessment, the Georgian side “should stand responsible for its mistakes and refrain from assessing the opposite side.”

Talks on a Parity Basis

The third principle involves proposing a launch of talks to the Abkhaz side on a parity basis, which means treating Sokhumi as an equal in the process of negotiations.

“The opposite side for the Georgians in this conflict are the Abkhazians and a dialogue should be focused on the Abkhaz side and not on a certain third force. The Abkhaz side should be equal in this dialogue,” the letter reads.

The authors also believe that the negotiations should be conducted on the basis of a ‘win-win’ principle, “in order to reach a lasting peace.”

According to the letter, the Abkhaz and Georgian sides should recognize that “both share the same history, both possesses powerful will for self-determination, but both should recognize that this will can not be exercised at the expense of each other’s interests.”

Lifting Economic Sanctions

The fourth principle envisages boosting economic ties with Abkhazia. “Georgia should actively work towards restoring communications with Abkhazia, including reopening the railway connection, investing in Abkhazia and improving the social-economic conditions of Abkhazia’s population.”

“The current principle: ‘Live with me, otherwise you will be punished’ -must be changed,” the authors of the letter say.

“We deeply believe that in the event that these preconditions are implemented, a trust will emerge between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides that will help launch constructive talks over a state arrangement,” the open letter reads.

In December, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili instructed the government to prepare a peace plan for the resolution of the Abkhazia and South Ossetian conflicts. He said that a broad range of different civil society and political organizations should be engaged in the process of developing this peace plan. 

He said, while addressing the Georgian National Security Council late on December 17, that the plan should envisage a “federal arrangement” of the country with “the widest form of status” for those breakaway regions in the “common state” of Georgia.

Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava said on January 3 that the government is developing a draft on the status for breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia.  He said by January 10 the draft will be submitted to the National Security Council for consideration.

Goga Khaindrava also said that in the case of Abkhazia, the paper will be based on an already existing document, which was developed by a group of Georgia political and legal experts.

This document implies the creation of a two-member federation state. Abkhazia would enjoy the largest possible degree of autonomy, in exchange for the abandoning of its current uncompromising position concerning total independence.