November 23, 2010

It is warm and sunny in Abkhazia.  Today's daytime high was about 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  With a recent storm, the mountains near Sochi and in Abkhazia were covered with fresh snow.  In the aftermath of the storm the air was clear and warm, so it was a beautiful drive down from Russia to Gagra.  On thw way down from Russia, I thought about the situation on both sides of the border.  Sochi , Adler and Krasnaya Polyana  are booming, while more beautiful Abkhazia lags behind because of the lack of international recognition.  However, there are unmistakeable signs that things are changing.  It is apparent to me that Abkhazia will develop with or without widespread recognition.  The only question is who the participants will be.  

Today I was interviewed by an American journalist who is doing a story on me and on privatization and business development in Abkhazia.  I continue to get interview requests.   I have already been approached by a group that develops large infrastructure projects internationally.  They see the potential in the port, airline development and electrical generation amongst other projects.  This is in addition to the hotel and resort development that needs to be built to meet existing demand.   Soon others will see that change is in the air and that Abkhazia is ripe for development. 

This evening in a cafe I saw another sign of this.  While I was working on my computer, I noticed that the television in the cafe was carrying a Turkish program.  Turkey is close, has a large Abkhaz diaspora and trades with Abkhazia.  But the television show is just one example of how Abkhazia is emerging from isolation and integrating culturally and economically.  The development of these ties happens despite the actions of outside governments.  The tide is running against those who attempt to impede Abkhazia's progress.