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How Long Will “War Games” and Standoffs Last?

July 19, 2008
Closed Border and Deadlocked Georgians

Nana Pazhava, Zugdidi

The central bridge over the Enguri River has been locked-down for eighteen days and counting. The Abkhazian side does not have any intentions of opening it anytime soon.  However, the road is open for peace-keeping missions and diplomat corps. Small part of Georgian population residing in Gali District still manage to travel by roundabouts on foot and by horses. However, locals are not able to get food from Zugdidi and they urge the Georgian authority for food assistance since Georgians feel that they can face starvation and the impact of war.

After the terrorist acts that were carried out on Abkhazian territory that resulted in deaths and injuries, the backlash has been additional tension between Georgians and Abkhazians. It is completely clear that Georgians who residing in Gali district understand that the increased military control has brought little good to common people. Now Abkhaz-Chechen-Russian armed units bans are patrolling the area and it locals are not allowed to cross to Georgia and then return. Old women who arrived from Nabakebi to Khurcha on a carriage do not want to reveal their names. However, they bravely and openly talk about the situation in Gali District. 

We came here on “Padvodi”. The Abkhazians noticed us but did not stop. Probably they felt sorry for us as old women…. The situation is calm in Gali but regardless this frightens us even more. Armed people move in Nabakevi but they have not harmed ordinary people. We ran out of food and brought some nuts to sell. We are heading to the Zugdidi bazaar now. The prices in Gali Bazaar are very high .One kilo of tomatoes cost 100 Rubles, 7 GEL. The Abkhazians do not allow bringing anything on their territory. Baghapsh said that import of products from Georgia is now forbidden. It was constant rains here and we could not grow vegetables this year and the crop is late. Tomatoes have are not yet ripe …”

  “We can cross the administrative border by horses but we cannot manage to get back before it is dark. There are many people among us who has nobody to stay with in Zugdidi. Thus, they cannot travel with us. What shall women with children do? They have money but are unable to buy anything. OK, we are old people and can survive but the children should have access to sugar, porridge, butter and cookies. I think this peace is imaginary and we are just waiting for the final verdict. In the past, our children played war games with wooden guns and had their rules…now they do not know this game. Now adults play the same game but they have no rules.  I do not know how long things can continue in such a way but sooner or later something will happened and everybody will become victimized. War is not selected in their choice of victims. This conflict needs to be resolved peacefully and not with violence.”

The IDPs from Abkhazia speak about the peaceful solution of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict and the threat of upcoming war. The problem is actively discussed in Zugdidi Park, so called “Gali Birzha (corner hangout).”

“Today, Abkhaz people do not want war either, I am sure in it. My old Abkhaz friend, Kobakhia persuaded me short time ago that “Russian policy is unacceptable for me too; Russians have their own interests in Abkhazia and they do not care about Abkhaz people; unfortunately, I admit that many Abkhaz people support Russians and we will receive the worst result. We also know that if not Russian and American involvement, Georgian and Abkhaz people could have reached agreement long before. Everything can be forgiven!” said middle-aged man, an IDP from Ochamchire.

“It is insulting that Georgian youngsters are forcibly recruited to Abkhaz army; boys from Gali district are employed for the construction at the lowest rate in Sokhumi. But it is fact there are no real ways to resolve the conflict. How should a Georgian behave who could not find shelter during the process internal displacement and only could be returned to his native home in the Gali district? They say that Abkhaz employers become irritated when hearing the Megrelian speech of the workers. Gradually, the employers have become used to the language and don’t pay that much attention to their speech. Another part opposed the separatist Abkhaz people and stated if they intend to admit these Megrelian people as their citizens Abkhaz people should get used to their Megrelian speech. Constant tension, conflict escalation and terrorist acts will never restore relationship between Georgians and Abkhaz people,” stated an IDP woman from Gudauta.

IDPs from Abkhazia commented on the visit of Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister of Germany in Georgia. The IDPs stated that any form of peaceful resolution of the conflict is acceptable for them; first of all they dream of peaceful return of IDPs in Abkhazia-in Gali or Ochamchire.


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