ARMENIAN ECONOMIC EXPANSION IN ABKHAZIA

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Feb 18 2009
Georgia

The Georgian media has reported that businessmen from Armenia are
buying vacated properties in Abkhazian territory, particularly the
Gagra region. Armenians are buying the houses of expelled Georgians
along the sea coast and at the sites of tourist infrastructure
development prospects. Many tourists from Armenia could now start
entering Abkhazia instead of Adjara via Russia.

MP Paata Davitaia thinks that Russia is encouraging these Armenian
businessmen to buy property in Georgia (Abkhazia). He says this is
yet another attempt by Russia to implement a divide and rule policy,
because obviously Georgia will not be happy with the Armenians’
conduct in the breakaway region.

Armenian expansion is not welcomed by the ethnic Abkhaz population
either. Abkhaz nationalist Professor Rikirba for instance insists
on the urgent resettlement of Turkey’s ethnic Abkhaz population
in Abkhazia because the Armenian population threatens to swallow
the Abkhaz.

Davitaia sees in this process an attempt to unite Abkhazia with Russia.