Third president of Abkhazia (Part 2)

Author: Spartak Zhidkov, Abkhazia, exclusively to VK

Continuation. See “Third president of Abkhazia”

Many experts, studying the processes occurring in Abkhaz society, used the patterns that have developed in the process of settlement in "hot spots." The main role was attributed to the settlement of the conflict, to the possibilities for the return of Abkhazia under Georgian authorities, to the attitude of the Abkhaz society to "reintegration" and the rest of factors lying on the surface. Features of the development of a democratic society, which took place in unusual circumstances, received little attention. A primary objective for which fought the people of Abkhazia was not only to achieve political independence. Small republic caught by the war almost at the moment of the collapse of the USSR in a short time has moved from the Soviet way of life to an independent existence in the time of war, destruction, non-recognition, political isolation and economic sanctions. Ethnic and religious diversity, as well as the hard struggle of parties, should be added to this. Not one political scientist in this environment could give Abkhazians advice how to build their own state. And, by and large, before the recognition of Abkhazia in August 2008, few people were interested in this issue, even in friendly Moscow. It was thought to be enough, if Abkhazia officially showed friendship toward Russia, and after the recognition the partnership was fixed on paper. It might seem that the socio-economic situation in the country was completely dependent on Russian financial aid, and stability in the country was derived from the strengthening of the Georgian-Abkhazian border, where the Russian border posts successfully continued to be built

It must be remembered that in the last two decades the Soviet province of Abkhazia became a state military and political stability in which achieved international importance. Abkhazia has become not just a sovereign republic. With the destruction of Russia friendly regimes in the Middle East, attempts to create a unipolar world, struggle between great powers for influence in the "buffer" regions Abkhazia becoming not just an ally of Russia, but the measure of success of Moscow foreign policy. Protecting Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russia turned out to be responsible for the further development of the two countries, and it does not matter that they are not legally recognized by the international community. On the contrary, both opponents and allies of Russia will continue to observe whether these republics meet the standards of the civilized world.

Abkhazia cannot be just a fragment of the Soviet Union, and it cannot exist as a "rebel state" in which there is no law, no self-sufficient economy and no civil society. Not only the comfort and safety of Russian tourists and not only the successful cooperation in the economic sphere depend on how successful its development will be. Abkhazia has enough resources for its economy, but its society will have to overcome the effects of almost 20 years of survival in a state of permanent readiness for war, in the ruins of the villages and towns, at a time when even the repair of an apartment could be a wasted effort. In these conditions, the population of Abkhazia managed not only to preserve the freedom of the press, but to achieve real democratic freedoms, with a high level of civic consciousness. Although these undoubted achievements were balanced by numerous contradictions in society, especially social stratification, cronyism and criminality, Abkhazia has proved its self-sufficiency. At the same time, it became clear that in this small but complex society the maximum liability is on the head of state.