Georgia's pledge

This week, Georgia's President Mikhail Saakahsvili pledged that would Georgia would not use violence in its efforts to gain control of the Republic of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.  The move met jaundiced eyes in Abkhazia.  I spoke to several well-connected Abkhaz.  They say that President Saakshavili has no credibility here.  People remember well that Saakashvili made a similar pledge shortly before ordering the attack on South Ossetia in 2008.

One source grudgingly admired Georgia's ability to manipulate the foreign press and politicians.  He said that "they do this better than we do because they have more resources."  However, he was also clear that he felt that the misdirection and misinformation that the government of Georgia employs is wrong and will not prove successful.

Georgia argues that Abkhazia is a case of Russian irredentism.  However, the reality is that Russia is not occupying the country.  It is, after a decade and a half of peacekeeping, protecting Abkhazia's security.  If Georgia does renounce force, it is a victory for peace and stability in the region and substantially due to Russia's presence.  If an analogous situation had developed close by, the United States would almost certainly have followed the same course Russia has done.  So, the situation can better be described as one of Georgian revanchism.  

In any case, Abkhazia is a free society with free elections, a free press and an active opposition.  The frequent mention of Russian economic support is often misstated.  Almost all of the money is being spent on the protection of Abkhazia from Georgia.  Russia's primary economic support comes from the large numbers of tourists who come to enjoy Abkhazia's mountain beauty, beaches and subtropical climate.