EBU Osetia Abkhazia

• Report rights infringement
• published: 11 Aug 2014
• views: 240

DOPESHEET It has been six years after the war broke between Georgia and Russia in August 7-12. Russia continues to strengthen control of occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia territories by erecting barbed wires, fences and building military bases. LRT journalists report from the occupation line that has endured the so called borderization process throughout last years. David is one of the Georgians affected by Russia's intensified aims to strengthen control of South Ossetia. David gave interview staying beyond barbed wire erected three years ago. The wire separated him from daughter living in nearby city of Gori. Neighbors provide David with the most necessary things from Georgia by throwing them through the wire, the pension money as well. David doesn’t want to leave his house, because he is afraid to lose all the property if he crosses to Georgia. Similar tension hovers also near the Abkhazia border. Concrete walls divide Georgian villages there. Some houses stand in Georgia while the yard suddenly appeared to lay in Abkhazia after concrete blocks where brought. People who want to visit their relatives left in Abkhazia face danger. Since 2008 thousands have disappeared after having crossed into Abkhazia. People who regularly cross the border river usually leaves two pairs of shoes, one in Georgia, another in Abkhazia, so that they could cross the river barefoot and not to make their shoes wet. There are points where officers allow to enter Abkhazia with goods from Georgia, but the bribe is necessary in these cases. People living near the border are afraid to share their stories with journalists. Georgian officials claim that Russia intensified building walls, because Georgia aimed Association treaty with EU, which was signed on 27, June. Georgia’s hands are tied. If the country would try to stop Russia from erecting new walls, a war would brake, just as six years ago in August 7-12. Any discussion about the barbed wire or it's position would set a precedent for the recognition of the so called border. Therefore Georgian side just observes it's teritory being fenced away from non-occupied Georgia. Russia has set new military bases in Abkazia and South Ossetia since 2008 war. Georgia guesses that there could be around 10 thousand Russia's soldiers in Abkhazia and similar amount in South Ossetia. Russia also donates funds to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Abkhazia gathered 80% of the budget from Russia, South Ossetia gets around 90%. SHOTLIST Beginning of August, David in South Ossetia beyond the barbed wire. Soundbite (Georgian), DAVID VALUASHVILI, Georgian living beyond barbed wire in South Ossetia: I cannot go to Georgia, because everywhere is a barbed wire. I do not have Russian rubles and you cannot buy anything here with Georgian money. More of David near barbed wire Beginning of August, blocks divide a village near Abkhazia border Soundbite (English), ELENE KHOSHTARIA, former Georgian vice minister of EU integration: We have very often cases when these fences are done to cross garden of people’s. They are just not allowed to cross the step their own house. Far away shots of Tskhinvali, city in South Ossetia Soundbite (English), DAVID ZALKALIANI, Georgian vice minister of foreign affairs: It was the case before signing Association Agreement, because Russia uses its leverage on Georgia to hinder the process of signing association agreement by different tools and one of them was installing barbered fences across the occupation line. A child jumps into the Churci river bordering Abkhazia Shoes left near the river Soundbite (Lithuanian), KAROLIS KAUPINIS, LRT television journalist: People keep a pair of shoes in each side of the river, so that they could cross the river barefoot and continue they journey. If the shoes are in this side that means that their owner is somewhere in his house in Abkhazia. A narrow track across the border Soundbite (English), a man helping to LRT: He is afraid that after we record an interview, Russians will create a problem for him. You see, there is the only shop here, this only place where people buy something in this area. He is using it very well here and is afraid that after an interview some problems would arise. But he gave some information, told us about the relationship, that they were brothers, but now they are split and so on. People drives cattle towards Abkhazian border Soundbite (Russian), a man bringing furniture towards Abkhazian border: (Reporter asks what he carries?), Here, furniture. (You bought here?) Yes, yes. (It’s cheaper?) Here it’s cheaper, there is very expansive. Soundbite (English), IRAKLI ALASANIJA, Georgian minister of defense: Combat operations that Russia was conducting here in early 90s, 1992, 1993, the Russians had the same type of operation that they are doing now in Easter Ukraine. They had the instructors, intelligence officers, Special Forces. Vs of Russian military base in Abkhazia.