Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research

Let’s call things by their proper names. What has transpired today in the village of Ganmuhuri was not an 'incident' or an 'act of provocation’; it was yet another act of aggression on the part of the Russian "peacekeeper" forces. Such substituting of concepts is the very cause behind the present lack of understanding in the current state of Abkhazian affairs in the world community. For some reason we've shamefully taken to calling what is, in fact, a civil war with foreign intervention: a 'Georgia-Abkhazian conflict'. The foreign occupational forces have become 'peacekeepers' collaborators whose aim is the separation of Abkhazia from Georgia and annexation of this territory as part of the Krasnodar region: the de-facto government of Abkhazia. 

Let us now consider how this situation must seem to an outside observer.  Peacekeeper forces called in to keep order and stability in Abkhazia surround and disarm Georgian policemen situated within the conflict zone. Any person receiving such information gets the impression that in order for a peacekeeper force to take such action there must be a serious, reasonable cause.  The term 'peacekeepers' assumes they’re being a mandate of authority to take action aimed at preserving the peace and stability.  So, it doesn't come as much of a surprise that our situation remains misperceived.
 
           How many more such incidents must it take for us, our government, our society, or our private citizens to not only speak of Russia as a party involved in this conflict, but to frame such language in legal terms?  It is up to us alone as is it imperative for us to bring the terminology of concepts in line with the factual state of things, in the legal sense as well as the informative. Giving the Russian troops located within the conflict zone, designation of occupational forces will provide the opportunity to adequately evaluate and resist their acts of aggression. There exists absolutely no mandate for peacekeeping forces and all negotiations must be conducted within the framework of Russia and Georgia; with their focus being solely the withdrawal of occupational forces from the territory of a sovereign state.  

      The chief aim of the Georgian diplomatic mission abroad should be in striving to impart the same assessment of the situation upon the international community. All forums possible must be used to achieve this, including that of the CIS. Let us not forget that in addition to Russia, the CIS includes twelve potential and actual victims of the empire and it wouldn't hurt to remind our "fellows by misfortune" of that.
 
           A separate issue: dealing with the aftermath of a civil war. As of today Georgia bears responsibility to the Abkhazian people, put to the brink of destruction by the collaborators' irresponsible policies. How many people today in Abkhazia understand that the policy of Russian authorities in Abkhazia is aimed at destroying not only the
national identity of the Abkhaz ethnic group, but the Abkhazian people as well?  And, are those who do realize the danger capable of resisting under the conditions of an occupation? The biggest lie told is that the withdrawal of occupying forces will lead to military action. Only once freed from under the "big brother's" jackboots will the Abkhazian people truly have a chance to tell friend from foe.  

      Today, the Kremlin would very much like to unleash a new war in the Caucasus: once again making the Georgians and Abkhazians drown in the blood of a fratricidal war any hope of joining into a family of civilized nations. I hope they have miscalculated.  We are not living in the early 90's anymore, and even such masters of provocation as the Kremlin sycophants won't be able to drag us into a new round of carnage.
 
           What truly must have come as a surprise to the occupant-provocateurs was the appearance made by the Georgian president at the scene of this incident. It has since become evident that the Kremlin analysts who planned the action aimed to showcase to the entire world and the Georgian people first and foremost the inability of Georgian authorities to adequately respond to aggression. They had miscalculated. Russian occupiers' act of aggression resulted in a shameful withdrawal and the President of Georgia reprimanding a Russian officer like a little boy.
 
           Viewing the footage provided by "Rustavi 2" film crews time and time again confirms that this is not behavior befitting a peacekeeper force. Actions taken by the Russian troops are clearly those of an aggressor, arrogantly confident in its impunity. Georgian police forces were able to respond honorably to this aggressor and now the ball is in our court.  It’s time to call things by their proper names.

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