Abkhazia and Georgia

One of the most perplexing questions about Russia’s insistence that it get its way in Abkhazia is what exactly the big deal is. Both candidates want to all but join the Russian Federation. Its almost as if Russia’s government has a naked fear of democracy, more transparent government, and an independent Abkhazia.

Bagapsh’s desire to force substantial change is evident in the strong language used by Aleksandr Ankvab, Bagapsh’s designated prime minister. “The current regime is authoritarian,” he asserts. “The Bagapsh team will reform the system of government. Khajimba seeks to preserve it.”
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Bagapsh campaigned vigorously on an anti-corruption ticket, portraying Abkhazia as a country without the rule of law and asserting that many around the president were failing to pay taxes. “As far as internal affairs are concerned, if we come to power we will establish order in the country,” Bagapsh says. “We will combat crime and corruption.”
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Gagulia, the Bagapsh supporter, portrays Russian power as overweening, especially in the past year. “Russia has geopolitical interests in Abkhazia,” he says. “It lost Georgia and now it is trying to preserve Abkhazia. Russia implemented a policy of force here—divide and rule. Our land is a paradise compared with Russia. But this land belongs to Abkhazia.”

And, it’s important to remember, Bagapsh received a tiny fraction abot 50% of the votes (giving him the election in the first round) while Russia’s preferred candidate, Raul Khajimba, received 35.6%

For its part, Georgia has come out in support of Bagapsh despite saying that the whole election is illegitimate because only current residents of Abkhazia were allowed to vote.

Bagapsh and Khajimba have been locked in negotiations and various reports have indicated various scenarios. Some say there will be another vote, others that Bagapsh plans to take office on Dec. 6. The most recent reports though say that there will be another vote, but that Bagapsh and Khajimba will share the ticket as president and vice-president respectively.

Meanwhile, boosting defense capabilities is a priority in Georgia for 2005.