its not about the abkhaz independence that russia i worried about, russia worries about loosing the Georgia and the whole Caucasus to US/EU...abkhaz are a pawn in that game, why would a 140 milion strong nation worry about 90 thousand abkhaz, in chechnya they killed 200,000+ who wanted independence

Giorgi, Tbilisi, Georgia

Greg there are 60 thousand Abkhazians in total. The amount of native americans in Montana. Think for a second, can they declare independence from the US? Suppose somebody gave them enough weapon and troops to kill or chase away all those who are against the idea. This is what is going on in Abkhazia

Alex, Hamilton,

Kitovani and Ioseliani came to power as a result of military coup orchestrated by Russia and both sides had only Russia as a supplier of weapon. Those events were orchestrated by Russia and driven to the direction Russia wanted since Tsars. "Clean" the region from Georgians and annex it.

Alex, Hamilton,

You are missing the point Steve. I very well know that some countries become independent. Point it Ioseliani and Kitovani could not possibly "invade" a territory which already belonged to Georgia. and so called "invasion" was sparked by hostile climate that was created by Abkhazians in early 90s.

Tornike, London, UK

Tornike,
So? Norway and Finland once belonged to Sweden. Countries _do_ become independent, you know. And to what conclusions have I "jumped"? Are you seriously disputing that Ioseliani and Kitovani led an armed incursion into Abkhazia?

Steve, Redcar, UK

Moscow's policy is the legalization of actually existing ties without the formal recognition of these territories. As regards global practice, such a model does exist, for example, in Taiwan. De jure recognition of independence is needless.

Finamrus, N.Novgorod, Russia

Steve from Redcar, UK before jumping to conclusions that Kitovani and Ioseliani "invaded" Abkhazia perhaps you could briefly peruse Georgian history where you find that Abkhazia became part of Georgia 9th - 8th century before Christ.

Tornike, London, UK

So that you understand what happened, hundreds of years ago - Abkhaz people were Georgians, with Georgian last names, then a Georgian King allowed people fom the mountains above Abkhazia to move to Abkhazia as a jesture of good will. These mountain people started calling themselves Abhaz.

Elena, Toronto, Canada

The Georgians play a brutal role in soviet history.

Who was Stalin? Who was Lavrenti Beria?

In 1944+, Stalin deported many nationalities from the Caucasus to Khazakhstan for alleged 'collaboration' with the Nazis, but did not deport the Georgians. No wonder they became a 'majority'!

Alex, Brussels,

In December 1921 the Abkhaz SSR, under pressure from Georgian Dictator Stalin was forced into a Union Treaty with the Georgian SSR. In 1931 the Abkhaz SSR was forced to become an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Georgian SSR.

Metin, Ankara, Turkey

Abkhazia's 'fight for independence' is not a wise choice of words. At the time of secession, ethnic Abkhazians were dominant in the devolved local administration, but they represented only 17% of the population, concentrated in the west. Ethnic Georgians in th east made up 43% of the population.

George, Montrose, UK

In the period 1937-1953, the Abkhaz were deprived of the right to teach their children in their native language. All Abkhaz schools and institutions were closed. The Abkhaz were only allowed to study in Georgian schools. Georgianization politics and settlements, this is the fact!

Misosts Aslanbech, Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria

May we take it that your correspondent will move on to Zugdidi or to Tbilisi to gain an alternative perspective?

George, Montrose, UK

The Abkhazs experienced not oppression but disproportionate political power during the Soviet period. It was only natural for them to revolt after Georgia became independent – not to break out of their prison, but to protect their privileged position as the jailers!

Pavle Dvali, Godalming, UK

I do wonder why Georgia - newly broken away from the Soviet Union - would not grant the same freedom to Abkhazia - previously an Autonomous SSR - in 1993. Nevertheless, the atrocites committed by Georgians and Abkhaz were sickening. Just another chess board in politics :-(

Charlie, Lagos, Nigeria

Russian summer resort? Visited by millions of Russian vacationers during Soviet times?
Looks like Putin wants the vacation Mecca back for Russians. This time just have the minority "burn-out" the majority and steal their lands and homes. Then run to Russia for protection.

Ed, Atlanta, Georgia, US

But Georgians are not Abkhaz, even if they live(d) in Abkhazia. Georgians already have a much larger country right next door if they want to live under an ethnically-Georgian government. Why should the Abkhaz not be entitled to their own state?

Greg, Philadelphia, USA

Zviad,

Can we assume you've forgotten who invaded whom? To refresh your memory, you could look up the names "Tengiz Kitovani" and "Jaba Ioseliani" for a start.

Steve

Steve, Redcar, UK

The native majority of Abkhazia, Georgians, were forced out of their homes by the aggressive minority and Russian troops. Now the minority claims that they have "historical and legal" rights for independence. Nonsense!

Zviad Ksovreli, Jackson / Tbilisi, USA / Georgia