Crisis in the Caucasus update
In August 2008 a brief war involving Georgia and Russia broke out over South Ossetia. Russia subsequently recognized Abkhaz and South Ossetian independence. These events have profoundly changed the political landscape in the South Caucasus.
First joint meeting with Georgian/Abkhaz partners October 2008In early October Conciliation Resources met with some key Georgian and Abkhaz partners to discuss the impact of the August conflict on our work, especially on Georgian-Abkhaz dialogue. The debates mirrored the different perceptions and priorities within Georgian and Abkhaz civil societies on new challenges and opportunities.
Discussions highlighted the complex situation and the different ways people on the ground understand recent events. “There are no impartial players in these conflicts,” said one Abkhaz partner in a discussion on Russia’s role. “In our view, the US and the EU are taking the Georgian side and pursuing their own interests.”
Our partners agreed the way forward is to build strong democracies in the Caucasus that deal with their own past sincerely and critically.
“A truly democratic Georgia is our only chance to appeal to the Abkhaz and Ossetians and eventually live in peace”, said one Georgian. “If there had been thorough analysis of the events in the 1990s, this year’s war need not have taken place.”
Partners also agreed that it is now important to:
- create understanding of how the situation is viewed by all affected parties and explore ways of engaging them in discussions about peace and security in the region
- distinguish between the various levels at which the conflict is played out, i.e. the international-geopolitical level; between political leaderships in the region; and within communities
- assess and learn lessons from the conflicts and peace processes to date and explore current and past roles of local and international actors
- view the conflicts over Abkhazia and South Ossetia separately and appreciate their own dynamics, despite their common factors
- establish and strengthen mechanisms for civil society involvement in a renewed peace process
- not isolate Abkhazia or South Ossetia from support for long-term societal, cultural and political change in the South Caucasus region
- support the participation of all affected communities in work to protect rights and promote good governance
