CAUCASIAN CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Otar Kiria

The recent analytical and informational publications in media haven’t issued much the fact that despite ten years of working hard and changing much throughout Caucasian region (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), nothing has inclined to prosperity as west was proving after USSR split up. Non at all, seems like Caucasus becomes the laboratory for retrospection of military, economical and political forces.

As the Caucasian region plays a key role in connecting Europe and Asia to each other, some powers around the world fell in interest with so called trio situated between the Caspian and Black Seas from the west and east, south to Russia and north to Turkey and Iran.
So the interests grew up and, finally, challenged the competition we may now call Caucasian Cup Championships. Preparing this article we’ve considered much and concluded that the contest may have four different rounds, with four distinct semifinalist and the single winner who really does deserve the cup, even not asking if the States of region admire it or not.
For the first time, let’s have a look at participants to have the perfect view of championships. The first one is Russia with a motto – “globalization and stabilization without intervention of Russia is unachievable” (it’s interesting do the three interest in that or not?); the second one – United States of America with the slogan – “Golden Age is only available with globalization worldwide” (it’s interesting are they aimed at globalization or Americanization?); the third – Europe with the purpose – “to make Caucasus a bridge connecting Europe and Asia closer” (probably they have intention to create the third power, after US and Russia, of world meaning); and the fourth – South (including Turkey and Iran) with a simple desire to integrate Caucasian market with theirs (Caucasus, especially Georgia, has already established admirable market relations as its market had already been well enough Turkisized and Iranized).
THE FIRST ROUND – INTEREST IN CAUCASUS
We’ve already mentioned about the geopolitical location of Caucasus, that could be the buffer in this contest and the constructive connector for all participants. The road to the Black Sea opens that to Europe, and to the Caspian – to central Asia. Despite Russia holds the idea that is the key State in Caucasian region and the geographical situation of trio is not the political priority as they do argue, it cares much about things in Caucasus and does its best not to loose control on disobeying set of three.
Why is simple. Russia cares about probable hugeness of anti-Russian trend in these countries those may unite and frame the dangerous power. Thereof, considering the Russian appeal to Caucasus we may conclude that Russia in not interested in friendship of trio; however, so does it in case if destabilization in these countries emerge, as prefers economically stronger neighbor then they are at this moment. As to forming as an entire militaristic block, the Kremlin considers it dangerous.
Nino Burjanadze, Parliamentarian: Of course, Russia doesn’t like that Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are the key figures in connecting Europe and Asia. Forming these states as independent geo strategic objects does mean that Russia will loose its influence in region. As to formation of military block, it’s wrong. It’s not on the agenda and, I’m sure, will never be.
However many, today, speak about super integration project “The Black Sea – Caucasus – The Caspian Sea” that symbolizes the historical cultural, economic, and spiritual relations between European and Asian people. Here we approach the interests of Europe with it. However, for us Caucasians, interest Europe and US may be the same, the only difference is in them, as one aspires to the bridge and another to Americanization.
Nino Burjanadze: As to Europe, and US, we can say that both are interested in forming Caucasus as the region of stable and democratic customs. Unfortunately, that’s vice versa with Russia, as we don’t see the acts stipulating interests of both sides. If Russia asks for support in the Chechen conflict, it should do the same with us in cases of Abkhazia and Osetia, as has not the final place among initiating disagreements.
THE SECOND ROUND – DANGER WHEN INTERVENING IN CAUCASUS This part of contest intends to present the size of danger when participants intervene in Caucasian region and how large is the hazard when doing it?
The US, intervening in Caucasus, which encompasses economic and political support, causes the danger of the third kind of power in country – military. Or, in other words, Russia, as we’ve mentioned above, is not interested in favourable neighbourhood of the threes, and with the aid of Europe and US sees the danger of loosing power in region. However, US have already seen that Russia may achieve the most of targets without the will of US or not. Besides, if stipulate the fact that Russia reacts on praises of Caucasian countries, and west negatively, Europe and US do concede that may face the danger of emerging conflict with Russia, this finally may cause destabilization worldwide.
As to Russia, it also has to loose much, and main here is that it’s afraid of NATO’s intervention in Abkhazia and other hot regions, not to repeat the Yugoslavia. Thereof, we may conclude that Europe and US are afraid of Russia and this one – of both, which indicates to equity for all sides, the only problem here is for the Caucasian region itself, that has become a laboratory for experiments.
Should also be mentioned that in recent media news, Russia argues the fact that Georgia, or other Caucasian countries, negotiate with Europe, US or others without asking Russia in questions concerning Russian Federation or not. Is it correct saying that? Why should Georgia ask of it, if it’s independent?
Gia Baramidze, Parliamentarian: Russia acts in own favour of course, we’re not going to ask it always, when negotiate with other countries. But, despite that, we’ve decided to improve relations with Russia stipulating also the interests of both sides.
The fourth place again went to South.
THE THIRD ROUND – BENEFITS It’s the most simple part of contest to assume, as includes only the figures of amounts participants have allotted for charity in Caucasus.
THE FOURTH ROUND – INFLUENCE UPON CAUCASUS You may agree that it’s the most hurting part of contests for Caucasus, as it’s difficult and abusive when you measure the influence of outer forces upon yourself. In this part we could give all the first three places to Russia, as influences Caucasus economically, politically and militaristically and does it most effectively among all.
However, the rules of championships do not allow to do that and finally, Russia was awarded only with the first place that it deserves at all, as of Abkhazia and Osetia at military aspect, visa regime – at political and “Zero Variant” – at economic one.
The second place went to US, with its billions, the third to Europe that could allot onlu millions, and the final fourth – again to South.
So, we’ve come to the end of contest the results of, which are shown in table 4.
Besides the contest, we have to look at some more questions those are too important in lives of Caucasian countries, and it covers the appeal of US new administration to Caucasus; relations with Caucasian countries themselves, etc.
Gia Baramidze: US will change its interest to Georgia in positive side of course. The meeting with Senators Leberman ans Mc’cain, two weeks ago, serves as a proof of it. Improvement includes the economic, political and military questions. US are much interested in solving the problems concerning Abkhazian and Osetian problems.
Nino Burjanadze: US will remain positive to Georgia and the rest of Caucasus of course. Fact that US are much interested in improvement of Russian policy to Caucasian countries is a good message for Georgia.
Despite all, there are forces in the world huge geographical fantasies of, which does not accord with the interests of Caucasus. No matter what this logic is aimed at, attempt of arranging these countries with an economic, political, and military interests, or even with an influence, would be better, if implemented stipulating the “Historical Interests” of Ankara and Teheran.