Paata Zakareishvili, Independent Expert

Resume

The review mainly refers to current situation in Gali and Akhalgori rayons. The both territories are occupied by Russian occupation troops and both are equally subject to Georgian Law “On occupied territories”. Nevertheless, whatever strange it might seem, the Georgian Government reveals two radically different approaches towards these territories.

Current situation in Akhagori rayon in characterized with constant changes. Hard social-political situation in Gali rayon is somewhat stable and foreseeable.

After 2008 August war military actions ethnic cleansing took place on the whole territory of former South Ossetia Autonomous District making tens of thousands ethnic Georgians leave their homes. Although mentioned ethnic cleansing did not affect Akhalgori rayon. So called de facto Government of South Ossetia chose politics, contrary to ethnic cleansing- reintegration of Georgians. It goes without saying that this different politics bears propagandist task, so that international society has a positive feeling that rights of people living on occupied territories are protected.
The Internal Ministry of Georgia and internally displaced Akhalgori local government, located in Tserovani, happen to be dominant forces that have certain impact on the current processes in Akhalgori. To contradict Ossetian and Russian activities, the Georgian government tries to hinder propagandist politics of the occupational regime and has created a modern infrastructure settlement in Tserovani for the population descended from Akhalgori. As a result of a propagandist war Georgia got Akhalgori rayon emptied by Georgian population. Those who did not leave Akhalgori, face serious problems- their salaries are frozen and they are made to leave the rayon. But the foreign countries are shown how Akhalgori is abandoned after Russian aggression. I think that short-term tasks should not damage the long-term perspectives of the State. There are lots of facts verifying the mentioned actions. The above situation speaks about the only thing- Georgian official structures try their best to make Akhalgori citizens leave the territory and make a final decision to move to Tserovani.

The Georgian politics towards Gali rayon is substantially different. Not only Georgian citizens have no problems there, but foreigners as well travel there without any obstacles.

As a conclusion we can say that dual attitude towards occupied territories makes us think that it is more important for Georgian Government to have more occupied territories and thus show Russia’s current aggression with harder forms.