Opening Georgian border for residents of NCFD has propagandistic nature, experts say

Political analysts in Russia and Georgia are actively discussing the decision of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili on unilateral opening the border for residents of the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD). In Georgia, experts fear a flood of refugees from Russia and the "creeping aggression" of Ossetians; their Russian counterparts see it as Tbilisi's propaganda step.

Alexander Rondeli, President of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, believes that Russian authorities could not like Saakashvili's decision. In his opinion, it is a blow on that propaganda held by the Kremlin against Tbilisi.

"Everybody can see that we have democracy here, and we are having a normal life," Alexander Rondeli told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Firstly, Georgian authorities want to activate the cross-border trade, and, secondly, it is a goodwill gesture in respect of those Ossetians in North Ossetia, who originate from Georgia," he said.

The decision to simplify crossing the border at the "Kazbegi-Lars" checkpoint has caused a mixed reaction among some politicians and experts in Georgia. Vice-Speaker Levan Vepkhvadze, an MP from the Christian-Democratic Party of Georgia, said at a plenary session of the parliament, which was put on air by the Public Television of Georgia, that the public organization "Daryal" is acting in the territory of North Ossetia, the members of which believe that the Truso Gorge in the Kazbegi District is the territory of Ossetia. In his opinion, if these people get into Georgia, a "creeping aggression" may start in the district.

In his turn, Nugzar Tsiklauri, representative of the United National Movement, has urged the opposition MP not to go in for jingoistic patriotism. According to Mr Tsiklauri, "the historic mission of Georgia is to help the nations of Northern Caucasus; therefore, it cannot repel Caucasians."

Geyrbek Salbiev, representative of the Ossetian public organization "Daryal", has reacted to the President Saakashvili's initiative with suspicion. In his opinion, the decision to open border in autumn, when there is already snow in the mountains, is too late for shepherds.

According to conflictologist Paata Zakareishvili, the decision of President Mikhail Saakashvili was just a propaganda move.

"Should Georgian authorities have really wanted to simplify crossing for residents of Northern Caucasus, they would have held negotiations with Russia by means of mediators. For example, negotiations on restart of transit traffic through the "Verkhni Lars", where Armenia could act as mediator. As a result, the "Kazbegi-Lars" checkpoint could have opened back in March this year," Mr Zakareishvili told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He believes that the main danger at opening of the border is not the threat of terrorism or extremism, but refugees from Russia.

On October 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the way, in which Georgia had simplified the visa regime for the Russian citizens living in seven North-Caucasian republics, is a part of Tbilisi's "propaganda". Mr Lavrov also said that the Russian Foreign Ministry had received no reports about such actions; and he learnt about Tbilisi's decision from mass media.

Let us note here that three residents of Northern Caucasus - Russian citizens - have already enjoyed the visa-free regime, introduced today by the Georgian party, and moved to Georgia across the checkpoint "Dariali (Kazbegi)-Verkhni Lars". This was reported by Shota Khizanishvili, head of the administration of the Georgian Interior Ministry.