President Bagapsh on Security

Abkhazia's President Bagapsh recently spoke about the country's security.  He was quoted in the Voice of Russia as saying that people in Abkhazia " believe that war is a thing of the past."  This is a subject I am familiar with from many trips to and much time in Abkhazia.  I encounter a lot of people there in all walks of life, everyone from taxi drivers to government leaders, from guest house owners to friends and the near universal sentiment is that Abkhazia will not again fall under Georgian domination and that the wars are over.  The ease in tensions is something I have picked up upon and is one of the reasons I am confident about Abkhazia's economic prospects.

Another question that I usually ask is about the Russian Army base in Gudauta.  I personally believe that it is a stabilizing factor in the region and has contributed to the feeling of security in Abkhazia.  Tourists confirm this to me.  Earlier this month, an Abkhaz with a lot of personal connections told me that "no one, not one person is against the Russian military presence."  Unanimous opinion is rare, but at least those who live from Sukhum to the border appear to be solidly behind the policy.