In May 2007, as an example of good news from the South Caucasus, I wrote about the joint initiative of Armenian and Azeri press clubs to launch common website Writers vs Conflicts. Sadly, this site no longer exists. Its aim was to provide a platform for a dialogue between sides using a literature to re-create bridges between nations. The site was intended to serve as a forum for discussions on various topics.
There is, however, similar initiative involving all South Caucasus countries, both recognised and unrecognised: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Karabakh, Abkhazia, South Ossetia.
http://southcaucasus.com/
My impression of the site is very positive. Honest and thought-provoking discussions, reports, interviews, publications. Recommend it.
Check out a very recent interview (in Russian) with the author of Artush and Zaur Alekper Aliyev. Must read.
Showing posts with label abkhazia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abkhazia. Show all posts
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Very important quote from the Russian Foreign Ministry statement re legal aspects of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence
This quote is important as Russia tries justifying the legality of recognising South Ossetia and Abkhazia independence by Soviet law of succession of a state. This is one of the main legal justifications which Armenian side brings about in relation to Karabakh independence too.
From the statement by Russian Foreign Ministry (emphasis mine):
"Since the outbreak of the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in early 1990s, as a result of Tbilisi actions, Russia has been doing its utmost to contribute to their settlement on the basis of recognition of the territorial integrity of Georgia. Russia has taken this position despite the fact that the proclamation by Georgia of its independence violated the right of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to self-determination. In accordance with the Law of the USSR "On the procedure for addressing the issues related to the secession of a Union's Republic", autonomous entities that formed part of Union's Republics were entitled to resolve themselves the issues of their stay within the Union and their state legal status in case of the secession of the Republic. Georgia prevented Abkhazia and South Ossetia from exercising that right."
*see also Russian parliament recognises Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence
From the statement by Russian Foreign Ministry (emphasis mine):
"Since the outbreak of the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in early 1990s, as a result of Tbilisi actions, Russia has been doing its utmost to contribute to their settlement on the basis of recognition of the territorial integrity of Georgia. Russia has taken this position despite the fact that the proclamation by Georgia of its independence violated the right of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to self-determination. In accordance with the Law of the USSR "On the procedure for addressing the issues related to the secession of a Union's Republic", autonomous entities that formed part of Union's Republics were entitled to resolve themselves the issues of their stay within the Union and their state legal status in case of the secession of the Republic. Georgia prevented Abkhazia and South Ossetia from exercising that right."
*see also Russian parliament recognises Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence
It's official: Russia recognises Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Breaking news: President Dmitry Medvedev says Russia has formally recognised the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
For more on the subject and possible implications for the region, Armenia and Karabakh - see my post and comments here: Russian parliament recognises Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence
For more on the subject and possible implications for the region, Armenia and Karabakh - see my post and comments here: Russian parliament recognises Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence
Monday, 25 August 2008
Russian parliament recognises Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence
UPDATE!
Breaking news: President Dmitry Medvedev says Russia has formally recognised the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. (26 August 2008)
Russian parliament unanimously recognised the independence of Georgia’s two breakaway regions in an extraordinary session. The decision, which is non-binding, will now be sent to Russian president Dmitry Medvedev for approval.
Should this move gets materialised by Kremlin, i.e. should Russian president formally recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, this could serve an important precedent for other breakaway regions in a post-Soviet space. Regardless of differences, this move would strengthen Karabakh positions in its quest for independence.
In the meantime, BBC wonders whether this would end up as new Kosovo when independence was recognised by a substantial number of states or North Cyprus when only Turkey has done so.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy, currently holding EU presidency, has called for a special EU summit on Georgia on 1 September to discuss the situation.
Breaking news: President Dmitry Medvedev says Russia has formally recognised the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. (26 August 2008)
Russian parliament unanimously recognised the independence of Georgia’s two breakaway regions in an extraordinary session. The decision, which is non-binding, will now be sent to Russian president Dmitry Medvedev for approval.
Should this move gets materialised by Kremlin, i.e. should Russian president formally recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, this could serve an important precedent for other breakaway regions in a post-Soviet space. Regardless of differences, this move would strengthen Karabakh positions in its quest for independence.
In the meantime, BBC wonders whether this would end up as new Kosovo when independence was recognised by a substantial number of states or North Cyprus when only Turkey has done so.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy, currently holding EU presidency, has called for a special EU summit on Georgia on 1 September to discuss the situation.
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Georgia lost Abkhazia too
It is now confirmed by both sides that following South Ossetia, Abkhazia is no longer under Tbilisi's control.
Devastated, weakened Georgia, weakened South Caucasus, hugely increased Russian influence over the region, and most importantly - thousands of casualties... A disastrous result of reckless adventurous politics by Georgian president Saakashvili. You may add here other 'players' too, but at the end of the day it's Saakashvili who is the head of state, it's him who bears ultimate responsibility for this total disaster.
Civil.ge reports:
Authorities in breakaway Abkhazia said their forces were in full control of upper Kodori Gorge.
Officials in Tbilisi have confirmed it.
However, there are conflicting reports about how the process took place.
The Abkhaz side has claimed that its troops took over the area after fighting with the Georgian forces throughout the day, on August 12.
Shota Utiashvili, the Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman, told Civil.Ge that the Georgian forces were withdrawn from the gorge last night.
CNN aired brief footage showing an Abkhaz militia taking down the Georgia’s national flag from the administrative building in the gorge.
Meanwhile, President Saakashvili told a group of foreign journalists on August 12: “Within a well-prepared plan, several hundred pieces of the Russian [military] equipment, Russian airborne troops, commanded by the airborne troops of Russia landed there [in the Kodori Gorge] and expelled and certainly killed part of the population. Whole population from that place is gone. This is classical case of ethnic cleansing.”
Upper Kodori gorge was the only part of breakaway Abkhazia under Tbilisi’s control.
Devastated, weakened Georgia, weakened South Caucasus, hugely increased Russian influence over the region, and most importantly - thousands of casualties... A disastrous result of reckless adventurous politics by Georgian president Saakashvili. You may add here other 'players' too, but at the end of the day it's Saakashvili who is the head of state, it's him who bears ultimate responsibility for this total disaster.
Civil.ge reports:
Authorities in breakaway Abkhazia said their forces were in full control of upper Kodori Gorge.
Officials in Tbilisi have confirmed it.
However, there are conflicting reports about how the process took place.
The Abkhaz side has claimed that its troops took over the area after fighting with the Georgian forces throughout the day, on August 12.
Shota Utiashvili, the Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman, told Civil.Ge that the Georgian forces were withdrawn from the gorge last night.
CNN aired brief footage showing an Abkhaz militia taking down the Georgia’s national flag from the administrative building in the gorge.
Meanwhile, President Saakashvili told a group of foreign journalists on August 12: “Within a well-prepared plan, several hundred pieces of the Russian [military] equipment, Russian airborne troops, commanded by the airborne troops of Russia landed there [in the Kodori Gorge] and expelled and certainly killed part of the population. Whole population from that place is gone. This is classical case of ethnic cleansing.”
Upper Kodori gorge was the only part of breakaway Abkhazia under Tbilisi’s control.
Monday, 11 August 2008
Open Letter To Stop War
Women’s Coalition for Peace in South Caucasus
11 August 2008
In light of the recent events in South Ossetia and Georgia, we at the Women’s Resource Center are taking action as part of the Women’s Coalition for Peace in the South Caucasus. The Coalition is composed of women’s groups in Armenia, Azerbaijan, South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Georgia that are united in a call for peace in our region. We work towards stopping all types of violence against women in conflict zones, and we believe that the voices of women need to be represented to realize this goal.
The Women’s Resource Center engages in mobilizing Armenian women to stand in solidarity with our sisters in Georgia and South Ossetia. The war of the past few days in that region is having a profound impact on the general civilian population as seen by the destruction of property, livelihood, normality and the senseless loss of life. The ongoing violence is exacerbating an already unstable situation as well as adding to the existing problems and dangers of the entire region in terms of creating countless refugees and internally displaced persons.
We condemn the actions of both Georgian and Russian authorities in harming peaceful citizens. We urge all sides of the conflict to return to non-violent processes in reaching a peaceful resolution. We also call on the international community to swiftly intervene in this situation and ensure that peace prevails in the South Caucasus region.
CALL FOR ACTION: in solidarity, we invite everyone believing in reinstating peace in our region to wear red and white ribbons and join our peaceful collective actions.
For upcoming peaceful actions in Yerevan, please contact the Women’s Resource Center.
Contact info:
Women’s Resource Center, NGO
34 Zarubyan st.
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: + 374 – 93 -99-22-44
+ 374 -01- 51-91-68
e-mail: armwomen@namag.com
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