Abkhazia

Ценности как оружие защиты геополитических интересов Запада

by Hayk Khanumyan

''Вовлечение без признания'',  Нагорный Карабах, Арцах

За последнее время Запад, в частности Евросоюз и США, скорректировал свою политику по отношению к постсоветским... more За последнее время Запад, в частности Евросоюз и США, скорректировал свою политику по отношению к постсоветским непризнанным/частично признанным странам. Это, в первую очередь, обусловлено пятидневной грузино-осетинской войной августа 2008 года. В статье обсуждаются причины, ставшие основой политики ЕС ''Вовлечение без признания''.

Values to guard West's geopolitical interests

by Hayk Khanumyan

Recently Western countries, particularly the EU and US, have been adjusting their policy towards unacknowledged/partly... more Recently Western countries, particularly the EU and US, have been adjusting their policy towards unacknowledged/partly acknowledged post-Soviet states. This was principally caused by the five-day-long Georgian-Ossetian war of August 2008. This article discusses the reasons behind the EU's policy of ‘engagement without recognition’.

Conflict and the Consequences of Isolation: A Comparative Study

by Hilmi Ulas

Published in Caucasus Edition: Conflict Transformation Journal. Many thanks to Jale Sultanli, who helped extensively with the editing process, and Paula Matallana, whose support was invaluable.

In this study, I compare and contrast the structures and fates of three other unrecognized states – Abkhazia, Northern... more In this study, I compare and contrast the structures and fates of three other unrecognized states – Abkhazia, Northern Cyprus, and the NKR. Following this, I hypothesize on the possible futures for the NKR as an independent republic and on the multiparty conflict it symbolizes, as well as the implications of such possibilities on the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Dynamics of Electoral Politics in Abkhazia - Donnacha O Beachain

by Donnacha Ó Beacháin

Corrected Proof. To be published in Communist and Post Communist Studies, Volume 45, Issues 1-2 (June 2012), pp. 165-174.

Presidential and parliamentary elections in Abkhazia are pluralistic and competitive. They have led to the transfer of... more Presidential and parliamentary elections in Abkhazia are pluralistic and competitive. They have led to the transfer of power from government to opposition forces. This in itself is a remarkable fact in the post-Soviet context, where the outcome of elections very often is determined in advance by the ruling elite. The article explains how and why this form of electoral democracy could occur in Abkhazia, arguably the most ethnically heterogeneous of all post-Soviet de facto states. Drawing on a wide variety of primary sources and data from within Abkhazia, particularly interviews with key players, the author describes the
remarkable willingness of the main political actors to compromise and assesses to what extent Abkhazia’s democratic credentials are sustainable

The world’s deepest subterranean community - Krubera-Voronja Cave (Western Caucasus)

by Ana Sofia Reboleira

Sendra, Alberto and Ana Sofia P.S. Reboleira. 2012. The world’s deepest subterranean community - Krubera-Voronja Cave (Western Caucasus). International Journal of Speleology, 41 (2): 221-230.

Subsurface biota extends over a wide variety of habitats that can be spatially interconnected. The largest communities... more Subsurface biota extends over a wide variety of habitats that can be spatially interconnected. The largest communities of this subsurface biota inhabit cavities and are well known mainly in caves where biologists are able to have access. Data about deep subterranean communities and arthropods living under one thousand meters was unknown.
An expedition to world’s deepest cave, Krubera-Voronja in Western Caucasus, revealed an interesting subterranean community, living below 2000 meters and represented by more than 12 species of arthropods, including several new species for science. This deep cave biota is composed of troglobionts and also epigean species, that can penetrate until -2140 m. Deep subterranean ecosystems should not be seen only as an evolutionary dead end towards the troglomorphic syndrome, but also as a shelter for epigean species populations, especially during long periods of time when surface conditions are severe for their survival. Most of the subsurface biota depends on allochthonous sources of organic carbon coming from: water percolating from the surface, sinking streams that enter caves, and activities of animals moving in and out of caves.
The biocoenosis and the vertical distribution of invertebrate fauna of Krubera-Voronja are provided, from its entrance to the remarkable depth of 2140 meters, including the discovery of world’s deepest dwelling arthropod.

Keywords: deep subsurface biosphere; biospeleology; vertical distribution; Krubera-Voronja; Western Caucasus

International Community Reactions to the Independence Proclamations of Kosovo, South Ossetia and Abkhazia

by Hanna Shelest

The Balkans and Caucasus:  Parallel Processes on the Opposite Sides of the Black Sea, / Edited by Ivan Biliarsky, Ovidiu Cristea and Anca Oroveanu/ - Cambridge Scholars Publishing. - 2012

pp. 239-255

The author analyzes historical and legal  background, similarities and differences between the Kosovo, South... more The author analyzes historical and legal  background, similarities and differences between the Kosovo, South Ossetia and Abkhazia state regognition, as well as reaction of the world community to the state proclamation of these three regions.

Völkerrechtliche Beurteilung des abchasischen Sezessionsversuch von 1994

by F. Schimansky-Geier

In einem ersten Schritt wird ein theoretischer Überblick über die allgemeine völkerrechtliche Dimension von... more In einem ersten Schritt wird ein theoretischer Überblick über die allgemeine völkerrechtliche Dimension von Sezessionen dargelegt. Im Anschluss werden im zweiten Kapitel verschiedene Definitionen von Abspaltungsprozessen thematisiert und die Kriterien für eine erfolgreiche Sezession definiert. Ich werde mich dabei vor allem auf die von Ott vorgelegten Kriterien für eine erfolgreiche Staatswerdung konzentrieren. Aus den definierten Kriterien für eine Sezession ergibt sich der Untersuchungshintergrund für den von mir gewählten Sezessionsversuchs Abchasiens. Da beide Seiten den Großteil ihrer Argumentation auf historische Titel und Verfassungsentwürfe der Geschichte stützen, werden diese Narrative und Motive beider Seiten analysiert. Im dritten Kapitel soll zuerst eine linguistische Verortung der beiden Ethnien vorgenommen werden. Im Anschluss wird auf die historischen Bezüge beider Konfliktparteien ein Augenmerk gelegt und diese werden auf ihre Konsistenz hin analysiert. Ein Schwerpunkt der Analyse umfasst dabei die Zeit von 1917 bis 1925. Zu dieser Zeit wurden Verfassungsentwürfe und Verfassungen verabschiedet, auf die sich beide Seiten ab 1988 beziehen sollten. Ein weiteres Augenmerk wird neben der Entwicklung der ethnischen Geografie Abchasiens auf die Herausbildung der abchasischen und georgischen Nationalbewegungen, Kontextbedingungen des Sezessionsversuchs Abchasiens 1994 bzw. des vorangegangenen abchasisch-georgischen Krieges von 1992-1993 korrekt analysiert werden. Im vierten Kapitel werden das zweite und dritte Kapitel in einer Conclusio zusammengefasst und ein abschließendes Urteil über die Rechtmäßigkeit des abchasischen Sezessionsversuches

erstellt.

Law, Politics, and the Conception of the State in State Recognition Theory

by William Worster

The competing theories of state recognition and their failings actively demonstrate that recognition of a state does... more The competing theories of state recognition and their failings actively demonstrate that recognition of a state does not have any normative content per se, but rather, that the rules of state recognition, although legal rules, are legal vehicles for political choices. We have the dilemma of concurrently wanting the right cases to result in independent states while prohibiting the wrong ones from becoming so, and so we sail between political choices, using the language of law. The state is neither truly free to recognize another entity nor entirely bound. Differing cases require different legal criteria and different legal results. This flexibility in state recognition theory though, while depriving the act of any inherent legal meaning, has value in its utility for establishing lawful relationships.

This paper will argue that the reason we find it difficult to resolve the controversy over state recognition theory is because the international legal system translates political controversies into legal questions that can then be addressed through legal means. Legal actors, by announcing preference for one side of the question, often reveal certain legal and moral choices they are making about the nature of the state and the legitimacy of the international legal system - law and politics. In the area of state recognition, no theory of recognition has extinguished competition because no political choice has gained universal acceptance. The predominant political choice is most frequently deliberate indeterminacy, a co-existence of mutually opposing arguments. This indeterminacy is most likely deliberate because it permits the underlying rationale for the legal actor’s policies to change and evolve to suit the situation.

Geschichtsdeutungen in Sezessionsbewegungen, Intraregionaler Vergleich zwischen den Konflikten in Abchasien und Nagorny-Karabach

by F. Schimansky-Geier

Abkhazie: Les prémices de la souveraineté

by Xavier Follebouckt

Unknown motive anthropomorphic sculpture from the treasure in Bambora

by Olga Brileva

Published in IV Cuban archeological conference

Брилева О.А. Неизвестные мотивы антропоморфной пластики из Бамборского клада / О.А. Брилева // Четвертая кубанская археологическая конференция. - Краснодар, 2005. – С. 26-28.

Studied woman bronze sculpture with a baby from treasure VI-V bc in Bambora (nearly Gudauta, Abkhazia). Part of body... more Studied woman bronze sculpture with a baby from treasure VI-V bc in Bambora (nearly Gudauta, Abkhazia). Part of body this woman have animal view (head of shake, left foot of bear and right foot with hoof).

The Scientific Legacy of Vladislav Ardzinba. Научное наследие Владислава Григорьевича Ардзинба.

by Viacheslav Chirikba

Europe's unrecognised neighbours: The EU in Abkhazia and South Ossetia

by Nicu Popescu

CEPS Working Document, 2007

Rethinking Abkhazia: The Consequences of Isolation

by Michael Cecire

Briefing, World Politics Review (October 2009)

Unlike South Ossetia, which hopes to join the Russian Federation, Abkhazia has made it very clear that it wants... more Unlike South Ossetia, which hopes to join the Russian Federation, Abkhazia has made it very clear that it wants nothing short of full independence. Yet, signals from Western capitals and Tbilisi in support of eventual "reunification" with Georgia are paradoxically securing Abkhazia's place in Russia's orbit. Perhaps it's time to call Russia's bluff and recognize Abkhazia's independence.

Comparative Analysis of South Ossetian and Abkhazian Declarations of Independence

by Ivan Fomin

PPT presentation made for the conference 'Rhetoric in Society III' (Antwerp, January 26-28, 2011)

South Ossetian and Abkhazian cases of secession are often colligated. [Meleshkina, 2009:79] The goal of this paper is... more South Ossetian and Abkhazian cases of secession are often colligated. [Meleshkina, 2009:79] The goal of this paper is to search for differences between them by using cognitive mapping and discourse analysis techniques.

Cognitive mapping methodology applied in this research is based on the triadic typology of pre-understandings (nominalistic, holistic, structural). [Bonham et al., 1997:217-219, Sergeev, 1991:3-6]

The Ossetian text is thus qualified as a manifestation of structural type, while the Abkhazian one is seen a combination of holistic (1st part) and structural (2nd part) types.

Discourse analysis also reveals distinctions.

The Ossetian argumentative strategy is characterized with victimisation of Ossetians and with attribution of negativity to Georgia. The independence is interpreted instrumentally, as a means of survival.

The Abkhazian text is different. In its first part the motif of struggle dominates, but the number of mentions of Georgia is minimized. Struggle for independence is interpreted as an inviolable process that cannot be directly influenced. In the second part a different set of argumentative tools is used. The independence is positioned as a result of democratic procedures and is legitimized with international norms.

Thus, Ossetian and Abkhazian discursive approaches to secession differ, so these two cases should be colligated carefully.


References

1. BONHAM, G. M., V. M. SERGEEV AND P. B. PARSHIN (1997) The Limited Test-Ban Agreement: Emergence of New Knowledge Structures in International Negotiation. International Studies Quarterly, Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 215-240.

2. MELESHKINA, E .U. (2009) Post-soviet nation and state building: unrecognized states. Publications of the 5th RISA Convention, Vol. 18, pp. 79-88.

3. SERGEEV, V. M. (1991) Precedent Logic and the Building of International Order: Using the Past to Construct the Future. Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Convention of the ISA, Vancouver.

Abkhazia: Patronage and Power In the Stalin Era

by Timothy Blauvelt

Nationalities Papers, v. 25, n. 2, May 2007

Abkhazia during the Stalin era was at the same time a subtropical haven where the great leader and his lieutenants... more Abkhazia during the Stalin era was at the same time a subtropical haven where the great leader and his lieutenants built grand dachas and took extended holidays away from Moscow, and also a key piece in the continuing chess match of Soviet politics. This paper will examine how and why this small, sunny autonomous republic on the Black Sea, and the political networks that developed there, played a prominent role in the politics of the south Caucasus region and in Soviet politics as a whole during the Stalin period.

Грузия в октябре 2010 года

by Ivan Fomin

опубликовано на georgiamonitor.org

Georgiamonitor.org представляет аналитический обзор ключевых октябрьских событий в политической жизни Грузии. Georgiamonitor.org представляет аналитический обзор ключевых октябрьских событий в политической жизни Грузии.

Международные конфликты

by Ivan Fomin

Тимофеев И. Н., А. С. Агейчев, Н. И. Пискунова, И. В. Фомин. Международные конфликты // Международная жизнь, 2010, № 7.

В статье представлены результаты работы Центра аналитического мониторинга, созданного год назад в структуре Института... more В статье представлены результаты работы Центра аналитического мониторинга, созданного год назад в структуре Института международных исследований МГИМО. Основная задача Центра - непрерывный мониторинг и анализ латентных или открытых конфликтов и кризисных ситуаций. Ведется ежедневный сбор данных, которые организуются в виде событийных досье. Происходящие события классифицируются по датам, инициаторам, объектам, содержанию. Таким образом, формируются информационные базы данных, обобщаемые в виде ежемесячных и ежеквартальных аналитических материалов.
В представленных обзорах, подготовленных на основе полугодового среза, дается анализ ситуации вокруг иранской ядерной программы, афганской проблемы, проблемы пиратства в зоне Аденского залива, ситуации вокруг конфликта Грузии с Абхазией и Южной Осетией.

Развернутая аннотация на сайте журнала: http://www.interaffairs.ru/print.php?item=203

Грузия в сентябре 2010 года

by Ivan Fomin

опубликовано на georgiamonitor.org

Georgiamonitor.org представляет обзор ключевых сентябрьских событий в политической жизни Грузии. В обзоре... more Georgiamonitor.org представляет обзор ключевых сентябрьских событий в политической жизни Грузии. В обзоре проанализирован ход принятия поправок в Конституцию Грузии и реакция грузинской оппозиции на этот процесс. Рассмотрены также другие проявления гражданской активности, имевшие место в сентябре. Кроме того, обращено внимание на принятие нового Налогового кодекса.

Проанализированы также мероприятия, прошедшие в рамках участия грузинской делегации в заседании ГА ООН. Рассмотрен ряд важных событий, связанных с ситуацией вокруг Абхазии и Южной Осетии и, в частности, принятие резолюции ГА ООН по беженцам. Также представлен сюжет, связанный с продвижением вопроса о признании Грузией геноцида черкесов.