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Nezavisimaya Gazeta , Russia
Nov 8 2012
Ice Does Not Break, But Begins To Melt. Improvement Noted in Relations
Between Moscow and Tbilisi
[Translated from Russian]
Georgia has become the first country in the post-Soviet area where the
colour revolution has been victorious, and the last in which
revolutionaries have lost power after almost nine years.
Georgia remains the only country in the world which has officially
broken diplomatic relations with Russia. The new authorities had
announced that establishing relations with their northern neighbour
will be a priority task, even in the course of the electoral campaign.
The victory of the "Georgian Dream" (GD) coalition and the subsequent
change of government were, in the opinion of Russia, a necessary
condition for negotiations. Moscow did not intend to talk with Mikhail
Saakashvili, whose powers and authorities are melting away before our
very eyes, nor with his team.
But the success of Georgian Dream and the ascent of Bidzina
Ivanishvili to the post of prime minister (almost the highest step in
Georgia's political structure), while remaining a necessary condition
for the start of dialogue, proved to be insufficient for this. Moscow
made it clear that it is expecting specific steps from Tbilisi.
And the caution is not unfounded. The new authorities of Georgia have
announced that, while wanting to bring relations with Russia to a more
decent state, they do not intend to renew them at the level of
diplomatic relations as long as Abkhazia and South Ossetia remain
occupied. They will not change their pro-Western course, which is
aimed at a strategic partnership with the US and membership in NATO.
That is, Tbilisi does not intend to reject the things that irritate
Moscow. Naturally, the question of the expediency of negotiations as
such arises, were it not for other messages from the Georgian side,
which is trying to persuade Russia that it has entered a "new period,"
and that it is necessary to begin relations with a clean slate.
Tbilisi's rejection of the idea of boycotting the Olympic games in
Sochi should be interpreted more broadly than simply a decision to
participate in sporting competitions. This announcement means that
Russia may rest easy: There will be no nerve-wracking "things" on the
part of Georgia, such as a discussion of the topic of genocide of the
Cherkess, which happened in the Russian empire specifically in those
places where the games are to take place. Not to mention the threat to
security of the Olympic games. The cessation of activity by the PIK
television channel, which was financed from the budget, also fits into
this same series. If its broadcasting is resumed, it will surely now
be without anti-Kremlin intonations.
Important statements have been made in regard to Abkhazia and South
Ossetia. Tbilisi is prepared to opt for any concessions that do not
affect the status of the former autonomies. It seems that there is
already something to discuss here. Specifically, the question of
operation of the Abkhazian sector of the railroad, which Russia and
Sukhumi have often proposed, and which Tbilisi opposes. Unblocking the
railroad would allow Abkhazia to earn money on cargo transit. And it
would allow Russia to have an inexpensive variant for communication
with its strategic partner Armenia - where, we must not forget, a
Russian military base is stationed. And as for Armenia itself, it
would ease its semi-blockade condition. And for Georgia, it would
provide a route to Russia, if it is possible to establish trade
relations, at least as a start.
The experienced diplomat Zurab Abashidze (the former Georgian
Ambassador to the Russian Federation) will deal with establishing
relations. He became the personal representative of the prime minister
on Russian questions, and a structure separate from the Foreign
Affairs Ministry was created for him, which will deal exclusively with
improvement of relations with Moscow. By this decision, Ivanishvili
specified the great importance that he attributes to this question.
The subsequent positive commentary by the Russian Federation Foreign
Affairs Ministry is also a good sign. The ice, of course, has not
cracked , but it has begun to thaw.
We may, of course, argue until we are hoarse about who stands to gain
the most from the improvement of "zero relations." From practical
positions, it is perhaps still Georgia, which is stifling without a
Russian sales market. But Russia considers the South Caucasus a
traditional zone of its geopolitical interests. Can we speak of the
full-fledged nature of this declaration, if there are no real efforts
to find a common language on at least something with one of the three
countries in the region? Ultimately, Moscow's ally -Armenia -is not
disrupting cooperation with NATO and other Western institutions for
the sake of the partnership. Not to mention Azerbaijan, with which
Russia has entirely normal relations.
[Translated from Russian]
Nov 8 2012
Ice Does Not Break, But Begins To Melt. Improvement Noted in Relations
Between Moscow and Tbilisi
[Translated from Russian]
Georgia has become the first country in the post-Soviet area where the
colour revolution has been victorious, and the last in which
revolutionaries have lost power after almost nine years.
Georgia remains the only country in the world which has officially
broken diplomatic relations with Russia. The new authorities had
announced that establishing relations with their northern neighbour
will be a priority task, even in the course of the electoral campaign.
The victory of the "Georgian Dream" (GD) coalition and the subsequent
change of government were, in the opinion of Russia, a necessary
condition for negotiations. Moscow did not intend to talk with Mikhail
Saakashvili, whose powers and authorities are melting away before our
very eyes, nor with his team.
But the success of Georgian Dream and the ascent of Bidzina
Ivanishvili to the post of prime minister (almost the highest step in
Georgia's political structure), while remaining a necessary condition
for the start of dialogue, proved to be insufficient for this. Moscow
made it clear that it is expecting specific steps from Tbilisi.
And the caution is not unfounded. The new authorities of Georgia have
announced that, while wanting to bring relations with Russia to a more
decent state, they do not intend to renew them at the level of
diplomatic relations as long as Abkhazia and South Ossetia remain
occupied. They will not change their pro-Western course, which is
aimed at a strategic partnership with the US and membership in NATO.
That is, Tbilisi does not intend to reject the things that irritate
Moscow. Naturally, the question of the expediency of negotiations as
such arises, were it not for other messages from the Georgian side,
which is trying to persuade Russia that it has entered a "new period,"
and that it is necessary to begin relations with a clean slate.
Tbilisi's rejection of the idea of boycotting the Olympic games in
Sochi should be interpreted more broadly than simply a decision to
participate in sporting competitions. This announcement means that
Russia may rest easy: There will be no nerve-wracking "things" on the
part of Georgia, such as a discussion of the topic of genocide of the
Cherkess, which happened in the Russian empire specifically in those
places where the games are to take place. Not to mention the threat to
security of the Olympic games. The cessation of activity by the PIK
television channel, which was financed from the budget, also fits into
this same series. If its broadcasting is resumed, it will surely now
be without anti-Kremlin intonations.
Important statements have been made in regard to Abkhazia and South
Ossetia. Tbilisi is prepared to opt for any concessions that do not
affect the status of the former autonomies. It seems that there is
already something to discuss here. Specifically, the question of
operation of the Abkhazian sector of the railroad, which Russia and
Sukhumi have often proposed, and which Tbilisi opposes. Unblocking the
railroad would allow Abkhazia to earn money on cargo transit. And it
would allow Russia to have an inexpensive variant for communication
with its strategic partner Armenia - where, we must not forget, a
Russian military base is stationed. And as for Armenia itself, it
would ease its semi-blockade condition. And for Georgia, it would
provide a route to Russia, if it is possible to establish trade
relations, at least as a start.
The experienced diplomat Zurab Abashidze (the former Georgian
Ambassador to the Russian Federation) will deal with establishing
relations. He became the personal representative of the prime minister
on Russian questions, and a structure separate from the Foreign
Affairs Ministry was created for him, which will deal exclusively with
improvement of relations with Moscow. By this decision, Ivanishvili
specified the great importance that he attributes to this question.
The subsequent positive commentary by the Russian Federation Foreign
Affairs Ministry is also a good sign. The ice, of course, has not
cracked , but it has begun to thaw.
We may, of course, argue until we are hoarse about who stands to gain
the most from the improvement of "zero relations." From practical
positions, it is perhaps still Georgia, which is stifling without a
Russian sales market. But Russia considers the South Caucasus a
traditional zone of its geopolitical interests. Can we speak of the
full-fledged nature of this declaration, if there are no real efforts
to find a common language on at least something with one of the three
countries in the region? Ultimately, Moscow's ally -Armenia -is not
disrupting cooperation with NATO and other Western institutions for
the sake of the partnership. Not to mention Azerbaijan, with which
Russia has entirely normal relations.
[Translated from Russian]