The American Spectator

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p> ETHNICALLY CLEANSED br> Re: James G. Poulos's Abkhazia: Europe's Trap Door : /p>

Although I liked your special report about Abkhazia I missed the larger background.

Abkhazia is the result of ethnic cleansing. Before the region broke away (with Russian help) from Georgia the ethnic Abkhazians formed only a third of the population. In the south ethnic Georgians formed a clear majority. In the secession war all Georgians were driven away. Anyone who has studied the effects of ethnic cleansing (empty houses and abandoned businesses that can be pilfered and occupied; serious problems for many companies because key personnel has left the country) can understand that this helped to create a state with a strong organized crime.

p>Restoring Georgian control of the area is probably the best solution. It will take some effort to convince Russia, but in the end it is in their interest too to have stable borders. br> -- Wim Roffel br> Leiden, Netherlands /p> p> PASSING OF THE CHAIR

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