Georgians and Abkhazians: the search for a peace settlement

Abstract

Der Krieg zwischen dem transkaukasischen Staat Georgien und seiner Republik Abchasien von 1992-93 wird analysiert, und die Chancen einer Friedensregelung werden eingeschätzt. Die historischen Ursprünge des Konflikts und seine Interpretation durch georgische und abchasische Intellektuelle werden wiedergegeben. Im Einzelnen geht es um die regionalen Aspekte des Konflikts, um Verständigungsbemühungen, um die Kaukasus-Konföderation, um Theorie und Praxis der ethno-nationalen Konfliktregulierung usw. Dabei werden die wechselseitigen Vorurteile und Schuldzuweisungen beider Seiten aufgezeigt. Demgegenüber verstehen sich die Beiträge als Dialog zwischen der georgischen und abchasischen Intelligenz. (prf)

'An analysis of the Georgian-Abkhaz war of 1992-93 and an assessment of the possibilities for a peace settlement has to combine a number of characteristics which do not easily fit together. It should not only present a factual account of the historic origins of the conflict but also help readers gain more insight into how Georgian and Abkhaz intellectuals describe it. The analysis should generate more understanding of these particular interpretations among readers, and should not be concerned primarily with refuting them. In both post-war communities, however, reconstructions of the past are largely based on a criticism of the interpretation made by 'the opposite side'. The analysis should therefore inform the reader about this inward view of the conflict to be found among Georgians and Abkhazians, including prejudices and mutual accusations. The present volume has been prepared in the conviction that a contribution to such an analysis can be made through a dialogue between Georgian and Abkhaz scholars.' (extract). Contents: Bruno Coppieters: Introduction (3-13); Ghia Nodia: The conflict in Abkhazia: national projects and political circumstances (14-48); Viacheslav A. Chirikba: The Georgian-Abkhazian conflict: in search for ways out (49-62); Revaz Gachechiladze: Geographical background to a settlement of the conflict in Abkhazia (63-79); Yuri Anchabadze: Georgia and Abkhazia: the hard road to agreement (80-89); Gia Tarkhan-Mouravi: The Georgian-Abkhazian conflict in a regional context (90-112); Stanislav Lakoba: Abkhazia, Georgia and the Caucasus Confederation (113-121); Maarten Theo Jans: Theory and experiences of ethnonational conflict regulation: their relevance to the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict (122-142); Bruno Coppieters: Shades of grey. Intentions, motives and moral responsibility in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict (143-167); Conclusions by the editors (168-177).