No peace without democracy

The Georgian public is divided in its assessment of the August 2008 war over South Ossetia. Some question the government’s position that military action was necessary to prevent a Russian invasion. The events are assessed in various ways by the people in South Ossetia, the Georgian heartland, and Abkhazia. In all three regions, civil society activists see their future – whether together or apart – in the establishment of stable democratic structures. Without these, it is impossible to create long-term stability and peace. Original article by Mira Sovakar, Conciliation Resources (in German only) of a version published in Osteuropa.