Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who had been to Abkhazia only a couple of times many years ago while still a student, paid an official visit to this independent republic yesterday. He came to commemorate August 12, a special date for Abkhazia. One year ago, Abkhazia reclaimed the Kodor Gorge, the last territory controlled by Georgia after the war of 1992-1993. Putin was welcomed in Sukhumi as a protector of the people, a title he obviously cherished.
People started gathering at the Memorial to the Glory of the Dead from the 1992-1993 Abkhazian-Georgian War early in the morning. It was raining hard, but they were waiting for Putin.
"If we had known in advance that he would come, all people of Abkhazia would be standing here," said Nadir from Sukhumi.
He also came to see the Russian Prime Minister, and tenaciously held two flags, - those of Abkhazia and Russia.
A security cordon entailing numerous police officers opened ranks, and a procession moved towards the symbolic sword embedded in the ground, which was towering over the communal graves. Draped in black, women slowly crossed the avenue in groups of two and three, with bunches of roses in their hands. A skinny girl of 15 walked ahead of the women, with the national flag wrapped around her.
"The sword's point is embedded into the ground, which means the war has ended. The nicks on the sword symbolize people's wounds. Our brothers are buried here, and this sword is casting a cross-shaped shadow over them," Nadir explained.
"Abkhazia does not need to be recognized by anyone but Russia"
Soldiers' mothers stood in the shadow of the sword. "Our house was there," said Valentina Tuzhba, pointing to a deserted wasteland across the road.
She lost not only her house but also her son in the war, and there are thousands of stories like hers in Abkhazia. More than 1,500 names are inscribed on the plaques at the memorial. "We are all sisters here," someone said.
Angela Isakhanian, one of the activists present, joined the conversation: "We are all from the Abkhazian Movement for Peace and Social Justice. Every woman has her own story. Here is Valya Ushakova. Valya, tell them about Viktor."
Ushakova merely covered her face with her hand.
"Hers is a horrible story. Viktor served in the Russia army. He went to defend Abkhazia in the first days of the war. He fought bravely, but he is now listed as a defector in the Russian army. He was declared missing in the last days of the war, and we still do not know what happened to him," Isakhanian explained.
"Is this your son?" asked Putin. He immediately singled out this woman with a portrait of a handsome young man from the crowd.
"Yes, Viktor Ushakov from Saransk," she gasped.
"When was he killed?"
"In 1993," she replied.
Putin merely touched her shoulder, as if saying that he was mourning her loss together with her. He was about to return to his car, but suddenly changed his mind, and went over to the people who had been waiting for him since the morning. The crowd roared in appreciation.
"Thank you for our freedom," someone cried out.
"Thank you for being courageous and determined," Putin said.
A pair of twins were named Vladimir and Dmitry
Death exists side by side with life. Russia invested 76 million roubles into a maternity hospital, which opened after being renovated. Now its staff were waiting to show Putin that the money has been well spent. Indeed, these millions have not been wasted; twelve babies were born there in just a day and a half.
"These twins have just been born," Chief Doctor Liana Achba told Putin, who immediately headed for the neonatal ward.
"Where are the babies?" he asked in a loud whisper, though he did not dare enter.
"Where are the twins? Show them immediately," shouted Achba for everyone to hear.
"They are not clean yet, but we will get them ready," replied a nurse from the neonatal ward.
"We have already named them Vladimir and Dmitry," Achba told Putin.
"How is the mother?" said Putin, asking about the health of the happy mother.
"Their mother probably won't object," a midwife said, misunderstanding him. On seeing Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh, she hastened to add: "We will call the next one Sergei."
The early bird gets the worm
Officials in the corridors of the Abkhazian government often say that "the Sun rises in the North," a saying that acknowledges the importance of Russia's participation in the republic's destiny. Putin fully reciprocated this gratitude.
"The people here are capable of doing many things. I am convinced that Russia will enjoy friendly support on its southern border," he said, shaking the hands of the republic's five wise men.
Friends must be helped. Out of the 3.8 billion-rouble Abkhazian budget for this year, 2.3 billion roubles have been given by Russia - 1.5 billion roubles from the federal budget and 800 million roubles as investments. Despite the financial crisis and its own economic difficulties, next year Russia is going to allocate another 20 billion roubles for the Abkhazian budget, including 15 billion roubles for border infrastructure.
"The border must be strengthened and modernized. I'm not talking about the construction of a Maginot Line, but a well-equipped border, to communicate both with Georgia and Russia," Putin emphasized.
"Russia is ready to give Abkhazia start-up capital and an opportunity to begin its development by strengthening its economic and social base," summed up Putin.
Obviously, no other countries are rushing to recognize Abkhazia, but the Prime Minister is convinced that the new republic can cope without this.
"To be honest, Abkhazia does not need to be recognized by anyone but Russia," said Putin, replying to a question from Izvestia. "It goes without saying that Russian investors should buy everything they can. Those who are waiting today - I mean investors from other countries - will arrive later and will have to pay more."
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OPINION
Who will become a citizen of the independent republic?
YURY SNEGIRYOV
Although this is a military secret, every Abkhazian knows that 5,000 Russian border guards and 10,000 military officers, not counting sailors, will support the republic's independence. The construction of border posts and military bases is in full swing. Special heat-insulated kennels have been designed for guard dogs.
As for the people, President Sergei Bagapsh promised them Abkhazian citizenship. Strictly speaking, he did not promise it, but complied with one of the terms of the Russian Defence Ministry and the Federal Security Service. This term is quite understandable. Our guys will serve in Abkhazia on contract. They are no-nonsense people, and will spend years or maybe their entire life in the republic. They must have adequate living conditions, and be able to buy apartments not only for themselves, but also for their families. The current laws of independent Abkhazia do not allow for the purchase of even a doghouse without citizenship.
However, some of the more far-sighted Abkhazians have made some calculations and panicked. Fifteen thousand servicemen plus their families will add up to at least 40,000 new citizens. Considering that the population of Abkhazia is 215,272 people (according to the 2003 census), this addition will cause a demographic change.
The so-called opposition has expressed particular concern about this. Its members believe that an additional 40,000 votes will automatically decide the outcome of even the most democratic of elections in the Kremlin's favour. This is not dangerous as long as we are allies. The threat lies elsewhere: under Abkhazian law, these 40,000 people could simply buy Abkhazia's entire Black Sea coast, which is only 200 kilometres long. Who wouldn't want a dacha in a subtropical area? "Where would our children live? What about our grandchildren?" ask members of the opposition. Alas, these questions are reasonable, and Russian citizens still have money to spend.
Let's now turn to the Russian citizenship. When Abkhazia was under blockade, it was Russia that, by decision of the heads of state of the CIS, started issuing Russian passports to Abkhazians. Georgia was indignant, but these passports allowed Abkhazians to visit Russia, and the blockade made life so hard that for many, this was the only rescue from hunger. Moreover, Russian citizenship meant a Russian pension, not the Abkhazian one, which at different times could only buy a loaf of bread or two kilos of sausage. Abkhazian elderly women are still grateful: "Many thanks to Putin for a good life in our old age!"
Now the issue of the Abkhazian citizenship for Russian citizens has been suspended until further notice. It seems that Abkhazians can become Russian citizens, but not the other way round. Aren't these double standards? The visit of our Prime Minister, who is very popular with Abkhazian elderly women, will probably resolve this issue.
Anastasia Savinykh