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International Crisis Group releases report on Abkhazia conflict

05 June 2008 14:50 (UTC +04:00)

ICG regional office for South Caucasus told APA that the report examines the causes of Georgian-Abkhaz conflict and gives recommendations to all parties involved.
â€œRussia should withdraw the troops and equipment it has deployed over the past two monthsâ€, says Magdalena Frichova, Crisis Groupâ€™s Caucasus Project Director. â€œAt the same time, Georgia should adopt a new approach to the Abkhaz, encouraging their links to the outside world to lessen dependence on Russia and emphasising genuine confidence buildingâ€.
Concerned that prospective Georgian membership would bring NATO to its most sensitive border, Moscow deployed reinforcements to Abkhazia in April and May, continuing a pattern of escalation. This includes an upgrading of ties with the breakaway territory, statements that force will be used to protect Russian citizens there if hostilities resume and the downing of Georgian drones. Georgia argues Russia undermines its territorial integrity by supporting Sukhumiâ€™s independence bid, economically, financially and militarily. Many in the West agree that Moscow has become a party to the conflict.
The authors of the report consider that the West must use its influence to press for peaceful resolution. Persuading Russia to withdraw its new troops and to accept changes to the negotiations format that emphasise direct Georgian-Abkhaz dialogue and give the EU a role on a par with itself and the UN would improve the chances for diplomacy.