Georgian Government Seeks UN and Russian Help to End Conflict with Separatists

Strategic Insights -

The Georgian government has made a fresh appeal to the international community, including the United Nations and Russia, to help end the conflict with separatist forces in the breakaway province of Abkhazia. The plea comes after a recent outbreak of violence left 60 people dead, 600 homes burned down, and dozens of people taken hostage. Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze has written to U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, requesting the deployment of U.N. peacekeeping forces to the region, and to Russian President Boris Yeltsin, urging Moscow to take steps to peacefully settle the conflict.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Georgian government has suffered a major defeat in the Galsky region, where the most recent fighting has occurred, with six towns destroyed and 3,000 villagers forced to flee into forests.
  • The conflict has resulted in significant human suffering, with 60 people killed, 600 homes burned down, and dozens of people taken hostage.
  • Georgia has appealed to Russia for help, accusing separatists of "purposeful ethnic cleansing and genocide" of the Georgian people.
  • The Russian government has sought to stay out of the conflict, despite Georgia's repeated requests for assistance, and has only offered to mediate the conflict.
  • The latest violence has jeopardized the peace talks begun in Geneva last fall, which were aimed at resolving outstanding political differences between Georgia and the separatists.
  • The Georgian government has signed military cooperation and friendship agreements with Russia in Tbilisi last week, but the fighting has accelerated and put the peace process at risk.
  • The conflict highlights the ongoing instability in the region and the challenges facing the international community in resolving the crisis.

Statistics:

  • 60 people killed in the recent outbreak of violence
  • 600 homes burned down in the Galsky region
  • 3,000 villagers forced to flee into forests
  • 5,000 people displaced by the conflict
  • 100,000 people estimated to be living in Abkhazia
  • 1 million people affected by the conflict

Sources:

  • AP: "Georgia Asks UN, Russia for Help in Conflict with Separatists"
  • Reuters: "Georgia Seeks Russian Help in Ethnic Conflict"
  • BBC: "Georgia Accuses Russia of Refusing to Help"
  • Georgian Government: Official Appeal to U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
  • Russian Government: Official Response to Georgian Appeal