Voices of South Caucasus

It has been a month since the Georgian-Ossetian forum lately arranged in Holland and its result, namely, adopted appeal to participate in Geneva discussions – has been dominating themes in South Ossetia. After the August 2008 war, the Geneva discussions represent the only format of negotiations where representatives of Georgia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia and international organizations meet.   

The seventh congress of the ruling “Yedinstvo” (Unity) Party was held in South Ossetia in the beginning of July. According to the members of the government party, the congress was historic as it marks the second stage in the modern history of South Ossetia. “The recognition of the republic’s independence by the Russian Federation started the process of peaceful revival and democratic development of the country,” the congress said.

"Absence of Will" - a film by Georgian director Mamuka Kuparadze turned into the main topic in Abkhazia's internal political life. Discussions of the movie exceeded the show room and the channel that broadcasted it. The film taken in Georgia over a year ago served as a reason for massive political hysteria in Abkhazia.

Abkhazian president Sergey Baghapsh makes a sensational promise to the people. He says he will overcome corruption in the country very soon.

The flow of tourists so much expected in Abkhazia is nowhere to be seen. They said in the tourism department that people just preferred watching the World Cup at home and as soon as Mundiale finished thousands of people would head to the Abkhazian seaside. They wanted it so much to repeat the record of 2007 when almost one million people spent holidays in Abkhazia.

"Gali Region is on the territory of Abkhazia, our citizens live there and it is our duty to create normal living conditions for them and protect their security," - stated Sergei Baghapsh, President of de facto Republic of Abkhazia, on a specially conviened meeting of the Security Council.

The Abkhazian government does not rule out the possibility of Bolivia and Equador adding to the list of countries supporting Abkhazia's independence in a near future.

At a press conference organized specially for Russian journalists President Sergei Baghapsh spoke about the new initiative concerning the Russian citizens who visit Abkhazia in their own vehicles. The initiative is about not noticing them.

17 years ago, despite the victory in the Georgian-Abkhazian War, only a handful of Abkhaz experts thought that the newly formed Republic of Abkhazia had future. Heavy losses encountered in the war, completely destroyed economy with little prospect of recovery taking into consideration the Russian blockade, and the international community that only recognized Abkhazia within the boundaries  of Georgia. This was the reality surrounding the country, which was left alone and looked like an ill child who the doctors thought would not make it. But the child recovered, started moving and is slowly looking more like its healthy peers.

Last Wednesday the President of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoiti criticized the Ministry of Regional Development of Russia and accused it of sabotaging the reconstruction works carried out in South Ossetia. A number of Russian mass media means made hasty assumptions that the president of South Ossetia was not under Russia’s control any more.