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Debate continues in Georgia on Abkhaz railway
By M. Alkhazashvili
The Messenger, Georgia
Aug 5 2005
The subject of whether the Trans Caucasian Railway, which once operated
through the separatist region of Abkhazia, should be reopened remains
a topic of fervent debate in Georgia.
At this point, the Georgian government has refrained from making any
definite pronouncements on the issue as they continue to discuss how
Russian, Abkhaz and Armenian demands concerning the reopening of the
railway can be met, while also keeping in mind what would be best
for Georgia. Government representatives point out that the question
is still under consideration and that a concrete decision has yet to
be made.
The local newspaper Rezonansi quoted Andrei Turikin, the representative
of the self-declared Abkhaz Republic in the Russian government, as
saying that if the stretch of the railway from Sochi to the Enguri
River is restored, the Abkhazia portion of the railway will be able
to carry one million tons of cargo each month. He calculates that
this will increase budget revenues for the separatist government by
USD 500,000-800,000 per month.
Despite the obvious benefits for the self-declared regime, some
Georgian political analysts, among them Ramaz Klimiashvili, claim
that the restoration of the railway "does not suit Abkhaz interests"
and that "it is the Abkhazians who are impeding the opening of the
railway."
In contrast, many Georgian political scientists consider the
restoration of the railway to be completely unacceptable. "In reality,
the opening of the railway plays into Russia's hands, which is
simultaneously our opponent and a mediator in the resolution of the
conflict. This step will help to legitimize the de facto government. If
the railway is opened, the Sokhumi leadership will get a hold of
powerful economic levers and be able to break from Georgia once and
for all. This move will also result in us losing certain political
levers," said a member of the Abkhaz Supreme Council in exile Anzor
Tsotsonava, as quoted by Akhali Taoba.
Political analyst Paata Zakareishvili, who supports reopening the
railway, demands that risks connected to the issue be taken into
consideration and neutralized. For example, there is a possibility
that workers and service personnel will be brought from Russia during
the project, which would facilitate the "demographic annexation"
of the region.
Georgia must not allow this and, should it agree to reopen the railway,
place a condition that "only residents of Abkhazia and refugees should
be employed on the project," he said, as quoted by 24 Saati.
Also a source of concern for Zakareishvili is the issue of customs and
control over the railway. It must be demanded, he said, that a Georgian
customs checkpoint be opened on the opposite side of the Psou River
(which forms part of the border between separatist Abkhazia and the
Russian Federation), where joint checks can be administered on cargoes.
Likewise worthy of consideration are the fears of Azerbaijan that
the railway might be used to transport arms into Armenia. Therefore
Georgia may have to reserve the right to forbid the movement of goods
that will be used against another country.
"If Russia rejects any of our terms, then it will be completely
responsible for the failure of the project to reopen the Trans
Caucasian Railway and the Georgian side will be in a politically
advantageous position," said Zakareishvili.
By M. Alkhazashvili
The Messenger, Georgia
Aug 5 2005
The subject of whether the Trans Caucasian Railway, which once operated
through the separatist region of Abkhazia, should be reopened remains
a topic of fervent debate in Georgia.
At this point, the Georgian government has refrained from making any
definite pronouncements on the issue as they continue to discuss how
Russian, Abkhaz and Armenian demands concerning the reopening of the
railway can be met, while also keeping in mind what would be best
for Georgia. Government representatives point out that the question
is still under consideration and that a concrete decision has yet to
be made.
The local newspaper Rezonansi quoted Andrei Turikin, the representative
of the self-declared Abkhaz Republic in the Russian government, as
saying that if the stretch of the railway from Sochi to the Enguri
River is restored, the Abkhazia portion of the railway will be able
to carry one million tons of cargo each month. He calculates that
this will increase budget revenues for the separatist government by
USD 500,000-800,000 per month.
Despite the obvious benefits for the self-declared regime, some
Georgian political analysts, among them Ramaz Klimiashvili, claim
that the restoration of the railway "does not suit Abkhaz interests"
and that "it is the Abkhazians who are impeding the opening of the
railway."
In contrast, many Georgian political scientists consider the
restoration of the railway to be completely unacceptable. "In reality,
the opening of the railway plays into Russia's hands, which is
simultaneously our opponent and a mediator in the resolution of the
conflict. This step will help to legitimize the de facto government. If
the railway is opened, the Sokhumi leadership will get a hold of
powerful economic levers and be able to break from Georgia once and
for all. This move will also result in us losing certain political
levers," said a member of the Abkhaz Supreme Council in exile Anzor
Tsotsonava, as quoted by Akhali Taoba.
Political analyst Paata Zakareishvili, who supports reopening the
railway, demands that risks connected to the issue be taken into
consideration and neutralized. For example, there is a possibility
that workers and service personnel will be brought from Russia during
the project, which would facilitate the "demographic annexation"
of the region.
Georgia must not allow this and, should it agree to reopen the railway,
place a condition that "only residents of Abkhazia and refugees should
be employed on the project," he said, as quoted by 24 Saati.
Also a source of concern for Zakareishvili is the issue of customs and
control over the railway. It must be demanded, he said, that a Georgian
customs checkpoint be opened on the opposite side of the Psou River
(which forms part of the border between separatist Abkhazia and the
Russian Federation), where joint checks can be administered on cargoes.
Likewise worthy of consideration are the fears of Azerbaijan that
the railway might be used to transport arms into Armenia. Therefore
Georgia may have to reserve the right to forbid the movement of goods
that will be used against another country.
"If Russia rejects any of our terms, then it will be completely
responsible for the failure of the project to reopen the Trans
Caucasian Railway and the Georgian side will be in a politically
advantageous position," said Zakareishvili.