Abkhazia gets ready for the next presidential elections scheduled for December 12. They will be different from all previous Abkhaz elections because are the first after last year's launch of the international recognition of independence of the republic.
The situation, in which Abkhazia came close to its next test of political maturity, can hardly be called stable. I remember at the end of this spring some forces heavily padded anti-Russian attitudes in the social environment of Abkhazia. At the same time the political situation is unlikely to be recognized as "tense", as is rumored in some opposition circles of both Abkhazia, and Georgia.
Those who managed to get into Abkhazia between the last year's August events in South Ossetia and today, clearly see quite different things: of course, democracy is taking deeper roots, and many in the republic want real change, a powerful advance. But no one is ready to sacrifice the main achievement - the independence of the country - to their expectations and aspirations.
On November 2 was completed the process of nominating presidential candidates. From 3 to 12 November was held their registration, when the candidates took the exam on the knowledge and possession of the official language of the republic. November 6, in Abkhazia, in the Central Election Committee was held a meeting of the Language Commission, three potential presidential candidates - Beslan Butba, Zaur Ardzinba and Vitaly Bganba passed an examination on the Abkhazian language, two - S. Bagapsh and former vice-president Raul Khajimba, considering that during the election campaign in 2004 already demonstrated a good knowledge of the Abkhaz language, were exempted from the exam, but both expressed a desire to voluntarily come to the commission and to undergo testing.
S. Bagapsh and member of the opposition B. Butba are nominated by the party "United Abkhazia" and the Party of Economic Development of Abkhazia (ERA). R. Khajimba, Z. Ardzinba and B. Bganba are nominated by initiative groups. The candidates have chosen their deputies. With S. Bagapsh ballots a candidate for vice-president, Alexander Ankvab, who on Nov. 12 was released by the President by the Prime Minister especially for participation in the election campaign; with B. Butba - former Interior Minister Almasbey Kchach. V. Bganba is paired with the historian David Dasania; R. Khajimba - with the director of the Abkhazian Institute of Humanitarian Studies Vasily Avidzba and Z. Ardzinba - with the former head of the Administration of the Ochamchira district Khrips Dzhopua.
In short, everything in a proper fashion. Hardly anyone will be able to question the fact of the democratic electoral process in Abkhazia. The more so - its legitimacy. Unfortunately, not everything is so smooth. Amid the growing militarization of neighboring Georgia, the reorganization and rearmament of its armed forces, with overactive help of the United States and NATO, there are serious concerns that if the West will not frustrate the current presidential elections, then it will at least seriously try to interfere.
Oct. 28, new U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Bass in an interview with the TV-channel "Rustavi-2" emphasized that Washington's policy toward Georgia remains unchanged: the United States supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. However, in subsequent words J. Bass hinted that the U.S. would not want another war: "First of all, Georgia must develop its own approach in resolving territorial conflicts, and this requires from Georgia to become a country of prosperity and economic development".
But no one has proved that it is easier to keep the defense in the information and propaganda war than in usual one. Since November 2, the radio station "Svoboda", which, we recall, is funded by the U.S. Congress, announced the launch of its subversive radio broadcasts in parts of the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. As announced, it will broadcast in Russian from the headquarters in Prague; the programs will be prepared by "journalists from two unrecognized republics, as well as from Russia and Georgia". Daily one-hour program "Echo of the Caucasus" through the radio "Mtsvane Talga" ("Green Wave") will cover part of the Gali district, as well as some parts of South Ossetia.
It was promised that simultaneously would also commence working a new website through which it will be possible to listen to the transmissions. Behind all this stands representative of "Radio Svoboda" David Kakabadze.
At the same time from Tbilisi followed a statement that since 2010 starts working the Georgian satellite TV channel in Russian - on the basis of the Public TV of Georgia. Its primary audience, as planned by the Georgian side, should be the national minorities of the Northern Caucasus: the channel will be available in all its regions. "Persons" of the channel would become the widow of former Chechen separatist leader Alla Dudayeva, as well as director of the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations Oleg Panfilov, who has citizenship of Georgia and named in the media one of the most active members of Georgia's special propaganda "on Russia's audience".

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