A Transnational Policy for Conflict Reduction

and Prevention in the South Caucasus
By Robert M. Cutler

Abstract:This article examines conflicts in the South Caucasus with a view towards means for their interdependent resolution. It reviews the situations in Georgia: Abkhazia, Ajaria, Javakhetia, and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), and juxtaposes to them the situation in Mountainous Karabagh, identifying complicating factors. On that basis, and focusing on the potential for nongovernmental actors to create potential transgovernmental and transsocietal socio-political coalitions, a policy initiative for the South Caucasus is described. Specifically, possibilities are considered for moving towards an institution such as a transnational Assembly for Regions and Peoples of the South Caucasus. Issues of institutional design are considered and assessed on the basis of existing comparative work on international parliamentary formations.

Contents:
Ethnic Disputes and Conflict Resolution
Abkhazia
Ajaria
Javakhetia
Tskhinvali (South Ossetia)
Analysis
Inspection of the Four Cases
Table 1. Abkhazia, Ajaria, Javakhetia, and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
The Karabagh Case
A First Attempt at Comprehensive Settlement
Towards the Parliamentarization of Transnational Conflict
Applied Theory as the Basis for a Real Solution
Transnational Parliamentarization in Practice
Next Steps
Conclusion and Prospect
Bibliography

Suggested citation for this webpage:
Robert M. Cutler, “Transnational Policies for Conflict Reduction and Prevention in the South Caucasus ,” Perspectives on Global Development and Technology 2, nos. 3–4 (December 2003): 615–633, reprinted at pp. 301–319 in Central Eurasia in Global Politics: Conflict, Security, and Development, ed. M.P. Amineh and H. Houweling (Boston–Leiden: Brill, 2004), available at < http://www.robertcutler.org/download/html/ar03pgd.html >, accessed 25 January 2007.