GEORGIAN, ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN ANALYSTS DISCUSS KAZBEGI-ZEMO LARSI REOPENING
By Mzia Kupunia
The Messenger
March 10 2010
Georgia
Georgian, Armenian and Russian analysts and politicians discussed the
advantages and disadvantages of the reopening of the Kazbegi-Zemo Larsi
border checkpoint at a video conference at the RIA Novosti office on
Tuesday. The checkpoint, the only official land connection between
Russia and Georgia, opened on March 1 after Swiss-Armenian-mediated
negotiations between Tbilisi and Moscow last year. The move provoked
varied reactions among Georgian politicians and the analysts.
Russian analysts saw the reopening as a positive move. Aleksey
Malishenko from the Carnegie Centre in Moscow said that "it is
better than nothing". "It is a step made towards the normalisation
of Georgian-Russian relations. This is a fact. It is a small window
opened, through which some oxygen is coming in. European politicians
and experts have also assessed the reopening as positive," Malishenko
said. "Georgian-Russian relations are currently in such a position
that the tendency for normalisation them should continue, otherwise
it will be very bad," he added.
Russian political scientist Sergey Makedonov agreed that the reopening
was positive but pointed out the problems which still existed at
the border. "The window is open, however there are some problems,
particularly with visa procedures; the other problem is that people
are not allowed to cross the border on foot. Despite all the problems,
the reopening of Larsi indicates that contacts at a humanitarian level
are going on, despite the problem of undecided status [of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia]," Makedonov suggested.
Armenian analyst and Director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander
Iskanderyan downplayed the importance to Russian-Georgian relations
of reopening the Larsi border crossing point. "I am less optimistic
than my colleagues in Moscow. I do not think that the reopening of
Larsi can make relations between Georgia and Russia any better. Both
sides are firm about their positions: Georgia demands that Russia
de-occupies its territories, while Russia does not consider doing
this," he noted. "Instead of a normalisation of the relations between
Tbilisi and Moscow, I would rather call this move a transformation
of the conflict: political problems remain, but the positions of the
sides in the humanitarian and economic fields have become softer,"
Iskanderyan added.
Georgia will not benefit from the reopened Kazbegi-Zemo Larsi border
crossing point, Georgian opposition politician Giorgi Khaindrava
stated. "Visa procedures are complicated to the extent that it
is almost impossible to get one. The Russian market is closed for
Georgian products, so considering all this I think Georgia does not
profit from this move. This road has been opened just for Armenia
and actually Georgia will get no benefit from it," he noted.
Khaindrava warned about the possible use of the crossing point to
supply the Russian military base in the Armenian town of Gyumri.
"Georgian customs officers will not be able to check the cargo coming
from Russia to Armenia. I am deeply convinced that most of this
cargo will be e supplies for military base in Gyumri," he said. The
Armenian analysts denied Khaindrava’s claims. "I do not think any
nuclear weapons will be carried through Larsi to Armenia. No serious
consignment of cargo has crossed the border since the opening of the
crossing point, which is actually natural," Alexander Iskanderyan said.
Khaindrava accused the Georgian Government for doing "underground"
deals. "I do not understand how the decision to reopen the checkpoint
was made when both sides are scolding each other," he said. "Georgian
politicians always describe the Russian administration as an "occupier"
and "aggressor". I am sure this reopening is the result of underground
games by Saakashvili," Khaindrava added.
Opposition Christian-Democratic Movement MP Nika Laliashvili slammed
the Georgian administration for creating a "permanent tension point"
in the Kazbegi region. "If the sides want to make life easier for the
citizens they should restart air flights between Tbilisi and Moscow,"
he suggested.
Georgian officials have denied opposition claims that the opening
of the Kazbegi-Zemo Larsi border crossing point will increase the
threat to Georgia. Speaking at the Parliament’s plenary session
Vice Speaker Mikheil Machavariani said Georgia’s decision was
"logical". "All of this [the closing of the crossing point] happened
as a result of Russia’s policy. Considering our interests, the point
was reopened. It would be inappropriate to reject this reopening,"
the National Movement MP said, adding that when the Russian tanks
are deployed 40 kilometres from Tbilisi Georgia cannot avoid facing
threats from Russia by either opening or closing the border.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
