#5497
[Second Issue of the Day]
#8
Financial Times (UK)
18 October 2001
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Georgia-Abkhazia conflict needs an international
support force
Financial Times;
Oct 18, 2001
By DARRELL SLIDER
From Prof Darrell Slider.
Sir, The potential for an new outbreak of hostilities between Georgia and Abkhazia should be a matter of concern to both Russia and the west. The solution you propose, however, ("Georgia Burning", October 16) ignores several key complications.
First, there are more than 300,000 refugees, mostly ethnic Georgian, who were forced to flee Abkhazia and whose return would be part of any agreement. When the Abkhaz Georgians return, ethnic Abkhazians will again be a minority in the region (though a local majority in some districts).
For this reason, the Abkhazian leadership has rejected any form of union or federation with Georgia that would require it to hold democratic elections for regional organs of government. Expecting Georgia to pledge non-interference in Abkhazia would legitimise an unacceptable status quo.
A more realistic solution would be to guarantee a range of minority rights - with international supervision - and decentralise decision-making to the village level.
Second, Georgia views Russian or Russian-dominated forces in Abkhazia as facilitators and protectors of an illegitimate regime. Peace should be maintained by a truly international force from outside the region that would disarm the local population and preclude Georgian military intervention.
Professor Darrell Slider, Department of Government and International Affairs, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, US
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