dinsdag 16 juni 2009

UNOMIG's mandate in Abkhazia, Georgia

Just a quick blog about the UN’s mission to Abkhazia (Georgia) UNOMIG. As you might’ve heard, there is a deadlock in the extension: the UN has, so far, failed to adopt a resolution which had been adopted without any problems previously (1808, 1839 & 1866). The mission was mandated till june 15: yesterday.
The media has been reporting about it the last few days; however, I found it rather interesting to see a real devision in bringing the news: who was the bad guy who blocked the resolution. According to chinese, Kazakhs and russian media seem to imply Russia is fighting hard to keep the mission in Abkhazia; on the other hand is Russia being seen as the bad guy by for example BBC, the washington post, and other western media (according to RussiaToday a main problem: US media never brings unbiased news about Russia).
The reason for the deadlock has to do with the august war in 2008 and the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent States by Russia. With regards to the extension of the mandate for UNOMIG Russia does not want Abkhazia to be reffered to as Abkhazia, Georgia; while for Georgia, and the rest of the world except Nicaragua, this is unacceptable since it would deny the sovereignty of Georgia and could lead to the interpretation of Russia that the independence is also recognized by the UN.
I have no idea where this will lead and the news report of the UN itself hasn't been rather positive about it either. Diplomatic talks and giving in on other issues (for say: let's not talk about the grave violations of human rights in russia) might have Russia agree; however, I doubt it happening. Russia might be pretending to want to have UNOMIG there, but as far as I can tell it is more beneficial for them to be the only 'peace-keeping'force there without international intereference.
I've heard rumours of a new war in October, let's hope it are just rumours...

vrijdag 12 juni 2009

traveling towards titillating treasures

When I'll set my foot on georgian soil again august 1st, I'll already have made a trip of a life-time. I decided, since I have the opportunity to do so, to travel over land, by train, and take my time exploring the Balkan's and Turkey a little bit and meeting my friends overthere (I mean, 16 days for Balkans/Turkey isn't far enough time, don't worry, I realize it). In Europe we have this amazing deal with all the train-companies all over Europe, that allows you to travel all over Europe, with almost each train you want (some exceptions in France/England)with 10 traveling days within 22 days in total.
I'll start in the netherlands, from my parents little village(I am leaving my appartment in The Hague already next week...) around the 15th of July. From there I'll go by night-train to Munich (Germany I have seen before, so I decided to 'skip' that part ;).). from there I'll take the day-train to Zagreb, leaving in the morning and arriving in the early evening.

I haven't planned my stay in Zagreb, perhaps I'll see if I'm able to crash a couch somewhere, I will see, I do not worry it will not work out. Two nights or so I'll stay in Zagreb, I have never been to Croatia (I know, barbaric of me...) and unfortunately I do not have the time to visit the beautiful coast of which I've heard. At least I'll have a good excuse to go back sometime soon.

Then, I'll be heading to Serbia, to Belgrade, a great city I have visited once before. I'll meet up with some friends I haven't seen in ages and I am really looking forward to it! I liked Belgrade a lot when I visited it the previous time, though unfortunately it was a seminar which I had organised, so I was more stressed with organizing, than able to enjoy it to the max.



Well, it will be great anyway, I love the people from the Balkan, they got the same (black) humor like the Dutch :).

After two nights I'll be heading towards Sofia, Bulgaria. Bulgaria has also got a special place in my hart and memories, since it was the first eastern European country I'd ever visited by myself (ok, I had been to Prague twice, but that doesn't count, also because I was with my parents and just about 14 years old....). I believe it was 2004 (or perhaps early 2005) and I was asked to go on the first political youth seminar of my 'career' *cough* in youth politics :).
A world opened to me. Ofcourse post-soviet countries always had my interest; however, it was an experience that fueled my love/passion for them. Yes guys: it is YOUR fault I see myself totally obsest with the post-soviet region...



Anyway, I already know my time in Sofia will be unforgettable! I'll stay with some sweet friends of mine, who've invited me numerous times, which i'd every time had to decline, unfortunately. But finally: the day has come that I'll be back: Nosdarovje! (The first slavic word I've learned; and I learned it in Sofia: how surprising).
However, after being in these somewhat familiar countries to me; I'll be taking the train to Istanbul.
I have been once in turkey: but it doesn't count. It doesn't count because I was on Turkish soil for less than half an hour; and I was on Turkish soil for less than half an hour because I had succceded my three months term without visa in Georgia and I needed to cross the border, but because I was a poor volunteer, I did not have the money to explore turkey, so I just crossed, and went back in, where I laid on the beach of Sarpi and wondering if it would be that different on the otherside.
So yes, Turkey, I am very excited about it, because I've heard many times about the transition you see if you go from west to east turkey, where Istanbul is regarded as very western and in eastern turkey it is regarded as more asian. I am wondering how I will encounter it.



So after three days of Istanbul I'll head to Ankara, where I'll stay one night I think, traveling from there to kars and stopping allong the way. just have to figure out exactly what I want to see and where I can stay on a couch, or very cheap (I am still a 'poor' student...).
And then, Finally I'll be back in my 'home'country (I know I'm dutch, but everybody who has been in georgia knows exactly what I mean: it's a place to call your home). I think I'll enjoy some days on the beach in Batumi; I just love the green bay:



After lovely Batumi I'll be going back to my hometown Tbilisi, where I'll stay in a cosy appartment in old tbilisi one and a half month for the rest of the summer; with ocasional trips to the seaside, kakheti, svaneti, borjormi, kazbegi and whatelse comes my way!
At least I'll be ready and relaxed before I start studying Russian in Kiev for one year (oh btw: I decided to go from Poti, georgia by boat to Odessa in Ukraine, and take the train from there to kiev....)