Tekali, Georgia © Onnik Krikorian 2011

The roads have seen better days and probably so too have the villagers, but if plans to establish a regional peacebuilding center in the small ethnic Azeri village of Tekali (Tekalo) come to fruition (See Hopes for an Armenia-Azerbaijan peacebuilding center in Georgia), that might all change in the future. Situated just 29 kilometers from the Georgian border with Azerbaijan, and 10 kilometers from the crossing into Armenia, those behind the project say it is necessary. Locked into a bitter conflict over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh, attempts to mediate between Armenia and Azerbaijan under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group have failed to produce any significant breakthrough in nearly 17 years since a 1994 ceasefire put fighting on hold.

Around 25,000 were killed with over a million from both sides forced to flee their homes and by the time of the armistice Armenian forces were left in control of around 16 percent of what the international community recognizes as sovereign Azerbaijani territory. However, cross-border skirmishes are frequent, with The Economist recently putting the number of dead since the ceasefire at around 3,000, leading many international observers to express their concern that fighting will once again resume, destabilizing not only the South Caucasus, but the surrounding region. Indeed, early this year the International Crisis Group warned of the dangers of an accidental war, especially as spurred on by its oil wealth Azerbaijan is re-arming and confrontational rhetoric is increasing on both sides.

In such a situation, many question whether there is the political will on either side to resolve a dispute which arguably threatens the future stability and economic development of the entire region. Others, however, are starting to wonder whether the current OSCE mediated negotiations are enough and believe that a more grassroots approach is necessary. Until now, civil society has been largely content with holding often closed meetings in hotels or holiday resorts in third countries such as Georgia. Reaching a small number of people, and arguably an 'elite' in both countries, the outcome of such meetings do not reach the population at large, as civil society in countries such as Armenia generally fails to do according to a recent Caucasus Resource Research Centers (CRRC) survey.

Activists such as Georgi Vanyan, for example, have been trying to counter that, as my recent article on his plans to establish and develop a peacebuilding center in Tekali for Osservatorio Balcani e Caucasus recently highlighted.

“The approach of keeping everything closed carries with it some very grave consequences,” he explains. “Armenians and Azerbaijanis are human beings first of all and have a basic desire for peace. What we need to do is to make this basic desire public and to initiate some kind of open discussion. Instead of organizing seminars, we talk to people in the markets, or in local cultural centers. It’s why we hope events such as [ours] will start some kind of discussion in society."

Having already held similar initiatives in Armenia, including a cultural event at a school in the capital as well as an ill-fated attempt to host a festival of non-political Azerbaijani films, the first event in Tekalo was held last week and was attended by Armenians, Azerbaijanis and Georgians. Given the stalemate in the negotiation process, a 'moot court' was staged to discuss and debate the potential role of Georgia in bringing peace to its two estranged neighbors. Although intended for journalists and analysts from both countries, the event was open and also involved representatives from war-affected communities close to the border with Azerbaijan in Armenia as well as from Georgia's own ethnic Azeri minority.

Ethnic Azeri, Tekali, Georgia © Onnik Krikorian 2011

Mediation of Georgia in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict 

 

Civil hearing on March 9, 2011, 12:00 pm

George Khutsishvili - FOR

 

[...]

 

The search for innovative approaches to the peaceful solution of the Karabakh conflict with the consideration of interests of both parties should be without delay since the situation is explosive and is classified by some analysts as that of pre-war. Since the beginning of the 1990s and until now, the consequences of the Armenian-Azerbaijani confrontation have developed to the background  of a number of unfulfilled and non-binding UN Security Council resolutions and have become hackneyed due to unsuccessful attempts by OSCE Minsk group to revive the negotiation process. Intermediaries in the South Caucasus do not exist which is why the idea of endowing Georgia with this role is worthwhile at least from a theoretical point of view. There are objective factors impeding the implementation of this idea, but there are factors that are objectively favourable. It is necessary to consider their combination and interaction, and based on this to try to make a conclusion on the feasibility of the ideas in question.

 

[...]

 

Mamuka Areshidze -- AGAINST

 

Georgia cannot play the role of a mediator in the negotiation of a peaceful resolution to the Karabakh problem. At its core, the Karabakh conflict is unique. It is the first large-scale conflict in the soviet area, and therefore the longest.  When we speak about Nagorno-Karabakh, the word "occupation" is mentioned as frequently as "self-determination" and "separatism" (this means territory outside Nagorno-Karabakh). The conflict has lasted for over 20 years now and despite the apparent efforts of the international community it remains unresolved. Some major players involved in the resolution of the conflict pursue their goals, both of which are contradictory. Besides, opponents are stubborn in their positions. Given this, the idea of Georgian mediation seems frivolous and specifically "up and running" for escalation of the situation. Even if we assume that the authors of the idea have good intentions, we can still make a number of arguments against.

A panel of experts making the case for and against Georgia's involvement in the Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiating process also offered their opinion while questions were taken from the audience. In general, those supporting the motion believed that Georgia's central role in the region makes it ideal, especially as most peacebuilding initiatives and projects already take place there. In particular, despite the animosity and hatred usually displayed in the media of both countries, ethnic Armenians and Azeris in Georgia co-exist and live together in peace. Georgia also has its own experience with 'frozen' conflicts, including them re-igniting as seen in the short-lived war with Russia in August 2008, and a resulting large community of refugees and IDPs.

Moreover, unlike Armenia and Azerbaijan, Georgians arguably are not consumed with as much hatred for separatists in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Another recent survey by CRRC, for example, found that 97 percent of Azerbaijanis were against friendship with Armenians. Only 70 percent of Armenians were against friendship with Azerbaijanis, but that is still alarming considering data from Georgia where only 16 percent disapproved of friendship with Abkhazians, 17 percent with South Ossetians, and 18 percent with Russians. Some analysts note that the situation was better before the war with Russia over South Ossetia occurred over two years ago, but even so, this is an example that both Armenia and Azerbaijan need to follow if there is to be any chance of peace.

However, as those opposed to its involvement pointed out, Georgia's sour relations with Russia as a result could also increase tensions. It was also believed that Azerbaijan might be more inclined towards Georgia's involvement than Armenia which traditionally sees Russia as an ally when its two neighbors generally view it as a major obstacle to regional peace, development, security and integration. Regardless, 27 people voted for the motion with 7 against and 2 abstaining. Moreover, in addition to the forum created for open discussion and debate, the event and the issues raised were covered extensively by the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian media, perhaps more so than any other civil society initiative in this area before it.

Writing to me earlier today on Facebook, Vanyan was especially pleased with the event in Tekali.

The most important thing for me is the inspiration that participants in Tekali showed. Just like myself they also believed that holding of the hearing in such a venue is not a whim or claim to originality. The most important is their hopes, confidence and willingness to do everything they can to make sure that we meet here many times. Honestly, I did not expect such support, such positive feedback, and such an enjoyable experience. The results of the voting were also unexpected as well. Sound and grounded expert arguments about how unlikely the prospect for Georgian mediation in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is actually made people vote guided by pure emotion. It was a protest vote against the reality, and it was an optimistic one at that.

Tekali, Georgia © Onnik Krikorian 2011

What's next remains to be seen. Vanyan says he'd like to establish a traditional print and online newspaper specifically dealing only with the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in Armenian, Azerbaijani, Russian and English. In addition, he'd also like to launch a radio station based in Tekali which can reach audiences in the regions of all three countries. As for Tekali and the surrounding area itself, such a move would not only make it easier to bring Armenians and Azerbaijanis together on neutral ground, but it would also contribute to regional development in Georgia, thus showing how international donor money could not only be more efficiently spent, but that striving for peace has some more visibly practical dividends too. 

Of course, these are significant issues, but the arguments to do far more for much less in a location such as Tekali are compelling. It also doesn't take much thought to see how the area would also be ideal for cross-border meetings on other subjects such as the environment or even the media at a time when minority and regional reporting is fast becoming an important topic. Anyway, a more in-depth article on the first Armenia-Azerbaijan peacebuilding event in Tekali will be coming soon on Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso.