Gruzínsky prezident Saakašvili a ruský premiér Putin (gdb.rferl.org)

Do you think these conflicts are ethnic or rather political in their nature? Or a combination of both aspects?

There are many stories from both sides; it's always like that in the war... But the fact is 300 000 Georgians were expelled, who were faced with  a lot of problems while restarting their lives...Personally, I think  it was  a political game, or an outcome of wrongly done politics from both sides. However, Russia played a crucial role in it. There could have been a better solution to this problem.

Although, I also remember my father saying that the Abkhaz happened to express some sort of separatist ideas earlier, before the actual breakout of the war. Insofar as I can’t recall any such things as we all were friendly at school, from what older people can remember, it might be the combination of both components.

Do you think that the activities of several INGOs focusing on building mutual trust between the citizens of Georgia and the breakaway regions are helpful to create more understanding between Georgians, Abkhaz and South Ossetians? In other  words, do you think that activities, such as dialogues, workshops where people from all three regions participate can help change the antagonistic sentiments these people towards each other?
 

How are the Abkhaz or Ossetians portrayed in Georgia? Or how does the general public view them?
 

Since I come from the same community, most of my relatives happened to be friends or just knew Abkhazs. Because of the war they no longer have any friendly feeling towards former Abkhaz friends and very often they refer to them as traitors.  Under what conditions do you think that the people in Abkhazia or South Ossetia would be willing to accept living in one state with Georgia? Both of them will be more eager to live with Georgians in case it is  an economically strong and stable state, compared with Russia of course. This is also the view of many Georgians I know.

Do you think that this conflict has reinstated Russia as the only dominant power in the region and undermined the authority and credibility of the US and the western powers in the region?
 

To the  first part of the question I would answer that yes, Russia’s real aim with this region was once again confirmed by recent developments in Abkhazia.  (I don’t have any definite idea for the second part and don’t want to be controversial as well, but if I get it right I will answer that  in my view US and the West have failed to solve this conflict.. Many of my friends also think that the West is not going to have any tensions  with Russia because of Abkhazia).

If you are in contact with people from Georgia - how do people feel about the future?

Most Georgian  IDPs don’t have any hope of returning to Abkhazia. A few years ago they still had but now, especially when the inner political situation is constantly changing and even unpredictable, they lost any kind of  hope of going back.