DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
February 22, 2008 Friday
ABKHAZIAN AUTHORITIES ABOUT KOSOVO: WE WANT RECOGNITION ON OUR MERIT,
NOT IN SPITE OF IT
by Yuri Snegirev
PARALLELS BETWEEN ABKHAZIA AND KOSOVO; Recognizing Kosovo as a
sovereign state, the West set a dangerous precedent.
The declaration of independence by Kosovo will inevitably spark a
chain reaction of similar statements from non-recognized republics of
the Commonwealth. Abkhazia is probably the best example. Numerous
parallels between Abkhazia and Kosovo invalidate speculations on
"unique" nature of the runaway Serbian province.
Citizens of Russia constitute 88% of the population of Abkhazia. How
so? one might inquire. The republic aspires for sovereignty but the
population is mostly Russian… The Abkhazian Foreign Ministry
explains that the Abkhazians need Russian passports for free travel
in Russia and abroad. Besides, the Abkhazians are entitled to Russian
pensions, and that’s an impressive sum by Abkhazian standards. Last
but not the least, Russian passports serve as an additional
guarantee. Should the Georgians cross the border to invade, Russia is
expected to come to its citizens’ rescue. The bloodshed 15 years ago
created a wall between Abkhazia and Georgia – perpetually if not for
a long time.
"We’ve never been a part of Georgia!" Ruslan Kishmaria,
Representative of the Abkhazian president in the Gal district, said.
"I do not know any country with more rights to sovereignty than
Abkhazia has! Abkhazian joined the Russian Empire in 1820, entirely
of its own volition and regardless of Georgia. The Georginization of
the republic was forced on us in 1932, in Stalin’s days. The
Abkhazians were not even permitted to learn their native tongue! If
that’s not genocide, then I don’t know what is! Things like that are
never forgotten!"
"We understand that it’s difficult for Russia to become the only
country recognizing our sovereignty," Deputy Foreign Minister Maxim
Gvinjia said. "Neither do we want recognition to spite someone. Say,
America and the European Union recognize Kosovo and Russia recognizes
Abkhazia and South Ossetia. No way. It’s not what we want. Let’s hold
our horses and sort it out without haste. Give it time. We’ve been
waiting so long (15 years) that we surely can wait a year or two
longer. It must be a genuine recognition, not just pro forma…"
Does Russia need sovereign Abkhazia?
The divestiture of Kosovo from Serbia effected and backed by the West
leaves Russia without alternatives to the recognition of
self-proclaimed republics on the post-Soviet territory, and first and
foremost Abkhazia.
The precedent is set, and not by Russia. Russia has done its honest
best to preserve the status quo that had existed in Europe ever since
disintegration of socialist federations – Soviet Union, Yugoslavia,
Czechoslovakia. The principle was simple: international recognition
only for the republic that had comprised these erstwhile states, but
not for autonomous formations within these republics. Recognizing
Kosovo as a sovereign state, the West threw this principle out the
window. Claiming all the time that this case was unique. What made it
unique? What’s so unique about Kosovo that Nagorno-Karabakh,
Trans-Dniester region, or Abkhazia lack?
There is one other detail to be taken into account here. Georgia may
end up in NATO soon. If and when it is, recognition of Abkhazian
sovereignty by Moscow may be interpreted as an aggression against a
NATO member.
The regional aspect of the problem is to be considered as well. The
recognition of Abkhazia will cost Moscow Georgia, and that will be
final. No way to back out of it afterwards. Russia will be left
without any leverage with Tbilisi.
Tbilisi will almost surely exact revenge by permitting Chechen and
other gunmen back into the Panki Gorge. How will Russia respond? With
air strikes and special forces? It will mean a war.
Is this how the Kremlin wants Dmitry Medvedev’s presidency to begin?
Source: Izvestia, February 19, 2008, pp. 1. 3