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  • Armenian, Russian, Georgian and Abkhaz railwaymen gather in Gali

    AZG Armenian Daily #113, 21/06/2005


    Region

    ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN, GEORGIAN AND ABKHAZ RAILWAYMEN GATHER IN GALI

    Tbilisi Softens Position On Abkhazian Railway Opening

    On June 15, Georgian authorities in Tbilisi announced that they are ready to
    start talks with Moscow over opening the Abkhazian link of the
    Transcaucasian Railway. As it was preliminary estimated, the railway from
    Georgian town of Zugdid to the administrative center of Abkhazia Sukhumi
    will cost $100 million.

    Since the Georgian-Abkhaz war in 1992-93 and Abkhazia's de facto
    independence, the railway has been standing idle, getting partially
    dismantled or robbed. The Sochi-Sukhumi section of the railway has been
    operating for the second year already.

    The Transcaucasian Railway used to connect Armenia with Russia in the Soviet
    times, conveying annually 15 million tones of cargo.

    It seems that Georgia shifting its former tough position over the railway's
    reopening. "The former Georgian authorities were against opening the railway
    but the new authorities show positive attitude", Georgian Prime Minister
    Zurab Noghaideli stated. He noted meanwhile that the reopening will bring
    out a number of organizational issues, as well as the issue of ensuring the
    security of Gali region's population.

    Formerly, Georgia used to say that the refugees should return to Abkhazia,
    particularly the region of Gali, against agreeing to open the railway. If
    Eduard Shevardnadze's Georgia set the priority of Abkhaz conflict
    resolution, then today's authorities think that the railway reopening will
    urge conflict resolution.

    "In general, the Georgian side is interested in reopening this railway
    traffic, because it will boost economy and, in turn, might well foster the
    conflict resolution process", chief of the Georgian Railway Company Davit
    Onoprishvili said. He said that the cost of the rehabilitation works will
    exceed $100 million. He also noted that apart from Russia and Georgia,
    Armenia and Azerbaijan should also participate in implementation of the
    project to a certain extent.

    Official Yerevan's response followed immediately. Chief of Armenian
    Railways, Ararat Khrimian, stated that if Russia and Georgia take a final
    official decision to reopen the railway, then Armenia will fund the project
    in part. Khrimian emphasized that the Transcaucasian Railway is important
    for all countries of the region.

    Once the railway operates, Abkhazia as a transit country, will receive the
    major part of profits. The new authorities in Sukhumi, particularly deputy
    Prime Minister Leonid Lakerbaya, underscored the importance of the railway.
    Tbilisi may expect large sums for transit, too. Undoubtedly, the railway
    will become the main route for Armenian goods.

    Azerbaijan and Turkey though are not enthusiastic over the idea of railway
    opening, as it will bring some relief to blockaded Armenia. Russia is also
    looking to opening the railway, as it will help establish comparatively
    reliable and cheap communication with its strategic partner - Armenia, and
    will enable it to maintain at least its economic influence in the South
    Caucasus.

    Despite disagreements in Russian-Georgian-Abkhaz talks in Moscow on June 16,
    the issue seems to be put in motion. On July 1, Armenian, Russian, Georgian
    and Abkhaz railwaymen will gather in Gali to study the technical condition
    of the railway.

    By Tatoul Hakobian
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