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Dividing Lines Multiply in 2008

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2008 was a year when the convoluted frontlines of the South Caucasus shifted yet again. The war in Georgia in August has had depressing consequences for ordinary people's freedom of movement, and for the possibilities for the various nations and ethnic groups to communicate directly with each other across the political lines which divide them.

A couple of months ago, I was asked to speak at a seminar on war reporting for Caucasus journalists. Such cross-Caucasus events typically used to be held in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, because it's hard for people from Azerbaijan to travel to Armenia (and vice versa) as the two countries are still effectively in a state of war over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, but they could all get together and exchange views in Georgia.

After the August war, however, it has become increasingly difficult for people from Abkhazia and South Ossetia to cross over into Georgian-controlled territory, and it's virtually impossible for Georgians to get into the rebel republics after Russia recognised them as indepndent states.

The solution? It was eventually decided that the seminar would be held in Trabzon in Turkey, so journalists from all regions could attend - highlighting the fact that there is no longer any place within the South Caucasus where all the peoples of the South Caucasus can sit down and talk with each other.

2 Comments

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Onnik Krikorian | December 27, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply

The solution? It was eventually decided that the seminar would be held in Trabzon in Turkey, so journalists from all regions could attend - highlighting the fact that there is no longer any place within the South Caucasus where all the peoples of the South Caucasus can sit down and talk with each other.

Very depressing indeed, although it does indicate that Turkey's role in the region is really potentially quite significant. Interestingly, following the Russia-Georgia war, moves to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations have really picked up momentum. Sure, they were started years ago, but recent developments have taken many of us by surprise. Of course, it's possible that we all might get disappointed here as well, but here's hoping.

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Mr Graham Holliday | January 6, 2009 4:22 PM | Reply

That is a depressing tale... Did you get to go to Trabzon? And was it interesting? More importantly, did people talk?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this piece about the South Ossetia conflict. I thought I followed the conflict reasonably well, but the BBC report after and this piece leaves me somewhat confused.

http://exiledonline.com/how-to-screw-up-a-war-story-the-new-york-times-at-work/all/1/

What do you two think? What is/was the real story?

What do you think?