New York Times Coverage of Abkhazia Election

Yesterday in the New York Times, Ellen Barry wrote of the Presidential election held on Saturday in Abkhazia. Ms. Barry quoted analyst Nikolai Zlobin on the election and the situation in Abkhazia.  Mr. Zlobin makes the following point:  They know that the only thing they have is land.  It is not a big piece of land, but eventually it will be fantastically expensive."

Mr. Zlobin is spot on.  Abkhazia offers tremendous potential as a tourist destination.  It is probably the most desirable location on the Black Sea.

In general, Ms. Barry wrote a good article.  There is one point of substance that I would disagree on.  President Bagapsh is quoted as saying "We have chosen our path, whether the United States and the European Union like it or not.  Abkhazia will never again be part of Georgia."  Ms. Barry interprets that to mean that western recognition is not important to Abkhazia.  I have to disagree on this.  It is clear from my visits and discussions in Abkhazia that western recognition is very important to Abkhazia.  Because Abkhazia is not widely recognized there are no working ATM machines, it is impossible to view a film and there are no international flights at the moment.  Every citizen is very aware of this.  Also, Abkhazia's leadership knows that with recognition will come money for redevelopment of infrastructure, investment in tourist facilities and increased tourism.  My interpretation is that Mr. Bagapsh is simply stating that Abkhazia is free and independent of Georgia, regardless to the current mood in the west.

The article can be found at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/world/europe/14abkhazia.html?_r=1

Nauru Recognizes Abkhazia

Today, the Pacific island nation of Naura recognized the Republic of Abkhazia.  Abkhazia released the following statement:

  “Abkhazia is honored to be recognized by the Government of Nauru. Like Abkhazia, Nauru is small but determined to achieve a productive life for its citizens through independence, hard work, and a vision for the future. My Government looks forward to working with that of President Stephen Marcus.  We have already discussed ways to expand economic development, cultural exchange, and political cooperation between our two countries.  The more UN member countries that recognize Abkhazia, the stronger our sovereignty becomes. For us, that strength enables us to plan for the future rather than to fear ever returning to the past. That is reality, and it is irreversible.” --Sergei Bagapsh, President, The Republic of Abkhazia, December 15, 2009 

Nauru has about 11000 people on just over 8 square miles of territory that sit 26 miles south of the equator in the western Pacific Ocean.  It became independent in 1968.

Georgia: A Serial Abuser of Human Rights?

The media narrative has been that small, brave and democratic Georgia has been a victim of Russia.   Thie truth is that Georgia attacked South Ossetia and Russia responded.  Russia is harshly criticized for human rights abuses, real or perceived.   Yet, Georgia seems to have gotten a free pass on its own human rights record.

After the conflict in South Ossetia in August 2008, Human Rights Watch traveled to South Ossetia and investigated the actions of the Russian, South Ossetian and Georgian military participants.  The report they compiled is at:  http://www.hrw.org/en/node/79681/section/1    Human Rights Watch found that the conflict began with Georgia’s indiscriminate shelling of the South Ossetian population center, Tskhinvali.  The Georgian military targeted apartment buildings, stores and at least one nursery.   The hospital was under fire for over 18 hours.  Homes were burned.  An undetermined number of civilian casualties resulted.  Estimates range from several hundred to over a thousand.  Likely at least 300 civilians and 16 Russian peacekeepers died.   Many more were wounded.  Georgian soldiers fired on civilians fleeing in taxis and a tank destroyed a family automobile, killing occupants.   Georgian soldiers looted and stole personal property and money.   The Georgian Army also detained civilians.   All those questioned reported that they were beaten and mistreated.  At least one South Ossetian detainee “disappeared” while in Georgian custody.

There has been talk of war crimes prosecution, but likely nothing will happen.  Ultimately, blame has to rest on Georgian President Saakashvili.  If he did not order the attack, hundreds of people would still be alive.

Georgia has claimed that Abkhazia and its elections are” illegitimate”.   But Georgia has something that “illegitimate” Abkhazia does not have.  Political prisoners.  The International Federation for Human Rights has investigated and written a report listing 8 political prisoners in Georgia.  They are: Nora Kvitsiani, Joni Jikia, Revaz Kldiashvili, Shalva Ramishvili, Maia Topuria, Demur Antia, Omar Kutsnashvili and Merab Rtishvili.  The report does not claim to be a complete listing of all political prisoners in Georgia.  Prisoners were commonly accused of illegal narcotics possession, economic crimes or threatening to overthrow the state.  However, the IFHR found that there were political motivations to their arrests, including being a member of or funding the political opposition, protesting against the government or founding a TV station critical of the government.   The report can be found at:

http://humanrights.ge/admin/editor/uploads/pdf/georgie528a2009.pdf 

Despite this, the Saakashvili regime denies that they hold political prisoners.  They have also refused requests to meet the prisoners.

Imprisonment in Georgia is a very serious matter.  According to humanrights.ge  nearly 4 in 10 prisoners have died while incarcerated.  

The Georgia Media Centre’s website states “The conditions in the notorious Gldani prison are said to be horrific. Filthy conditions in cells, poor nutrition, and inadequate medical treatment have resulted in terrible health problems for the prisoners, including the spread of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDs and Hepatitis C.

Today, tuberculosis and pneumonia are some of the most common diseases in Georgian prisons. Despite the fact that both are very treatable they are the primary reason for the high levels of prisoner mortality.”

Clearly, Georgia's prisons fail to meet the standards of humane treatment.  

I have already written about the Meskhetians.  They were deported from Georgia during Stalin's era.  Despite their legal right to repatriation to Georgia, it has proven very difficult for ethnic Meskhetians due to obstacles placed in their way by Georgian authorities.  The required documentation is expensive and sometimes impossible to obtain.  The process is lengthy, and even when completed properly, Meskhetians have been denied repatriation.

In the last few years, there has been police action against Georgian political protestors, Georgian media has been reigned in and the judiciary is under pressure.  The United States bears responsibility in part for propping up the Saakahsvili regime with billions in foreign aid.  Perhaps without this aid, Georgia would not have continued down the path it has been following.  Certanly, Georgia could not have expanded its military at the fastest rate in the world in 2008 and then attacked South Ossetia.  

It is hypocritical of the United States to give sustenance to Saakashvili while denouncing others for similar violations of human rights.  The United States should withhold all but humanitarian aid until Georgia renounces violence against South Ossetia and Abkhazia and until it improves its terrible record on human rights

Abkhazia President Bagapsh Wins. Reelected with 59% of Vote.

President Sergei Bagapsh was reelected President of the Republic of Abkhazia on Saturday,December 12, 2009. The Central Election Commission announced the results at about 13:00 in Sukhum (Moscow Time) on Sunday. President Bagapsh won 59% of the vote.   There were 4 challengers.  The closest of them was Raul Khadzhimba with approximately 15% of the vote.

Abkhazia Presidential Election December 12

Abkhazia voters will go to the polls to elect a President for the 4th time on Saturday, December 12.   The incumbent, Sergei Bagapsh, is running against 4 challengers, including the former Vice President and his rival in the 2004 election, Raul Khadzhimba.  Mr. Bagapsh won a close victory in 2004, but Mr Khadzimba challenged the results. After several months the two rivals ran together on a national unity ticket in January of 2005.  Mr. Khadzhimba ran as Mr. Bagapsh's Vice President.  They won over 90% of the vote.  Mr. Khadzimba later resigned as Vice President.

The other candidates are the port director and businessman Zaur Ardzinba,  Beslan Butba, leader of an opposition party and Vitaly Bganba.

Mr. Bagapsh is running as a member of the United Abkhazia political party.  He should be a strong candidate because after years of isolation and poverty the nation's economy is growing quickly.  Also, in August, Abkhazia concluded a security arrangement with the Russian Federation to provide protection from Georgia.  Since the conflict in South Ossetia last year, Russia, Venezuela and Nicaragua have recognized Abkhazian independence and other nations including Ecuador, Peru and Belarus are considering the move.

Abkhazia has a vigorous political debate and an independent organization, The League of Voters in Abkhazia, monitoring the election.  Russia and other countries are also expected to have election monitors in the country.  There will be several polling stations in Russia where absentee Abkhazian citizens may vote. Abkhazia has about 200,000 people with about 120 - 130,000 potential voters.  A law was enacted, supported by Mr. Khadzhimba, requiring voters to have Abkhazian passports.  In order to carry an Abkhazian passport, the voter must relinquish any Georgian passport.  The Georgian voters primarily reside in the eastern Gali district.  Very few have chosen to give up their Georgian citizenship.  

In Abkhazia all Presidential candidates must be 35 years old but no older than 65.  The candidates for the Presidency must have Abkhazian passports, be fluent in the Abkhazian language and must also be ethnic Abkhazian.  This does not apply to candidates for any other political office.  Abkhazia requires that the winner receive an absolute majority, so if no candidate makes the threshold, there will be a runoff between the top two candidates.