Abkhazia and South Ossetia should not be independent from Georgia

I also see that he is new to the site, so I would like to be the first to say, Welcome to DDO! I will begin with a summary and rebuttal to Pro's first round. I will then make my own case. Crevaux opposes the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as legitimate sovereign nations. His argument is as follows: 1. "There is no historical background to support the independence" of these regions from Georgia. 2. The independence of these regions is not in the best interest of the Caucasus because it will lead to conflict. 3. The population of the regions in question are not aware of their own cultural and historical background. I will respond to each point in the order that they are listed. 1A. The history of the region does indeed support independence for these regions - especially recent history. South Ossetia attempted to secede from Georgia almost immediately after Georgia became independent from the Soviet Union. Georgia became independent in 1991. The same year, Ossetians in South Ossetia tried to secede, leading to armed conflict from 1991 - 1992. (. http://en.wikipedia.org...) Conflict between the two ethnic groups dates back even further. In 1921, South Ossetia and Georgia were both independent nations. Ossetians asserted their independence as a Soviet Republic. Georgia did not recognize their independence and attacked the region, viewing it as an uprising. Ossetians view this as the first genocide committed by the Georgians. South Ossetia soon allied with the Soviets and the Red Army conquered and annexed Georgia. (. http://www.caucasus.dk... - 4.2: History, para 15 - 19). Of course, we all know about the secession of South Ossetia in 2008. These conflicts clearly shows that there is a history of animosity between these two ethnic groups. Therefore, the historical background supports an independent South Ossetia. 1B. What about Abkhasia? The Abkhaz people also have a history of conflict with Georgians. The War in Abkazia in 1992 - 1993, like the conflict a year earlier in South Ossetia, was an attempt at secession by the Abkhaz. This onflict is marked by many human rights violations reported by both sides, culminating in the ethnic cleansing of Georgians in the region. Like the Ossetians, this history of violence and conflict between the two ethnic groups contradicts the claim by Pro. (. http://en.wikipedia.org...) 2. There is already a great deal of conflict in the region, as shown by a total of four separatist movements in the span of 17 years (1991 - 1992; 1992 - 1993; and two simultaneously in 2008). The number conflicts will likely decrease as a result of the independent status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Abkhazians and Ossetians will have no reason to stir up trouble because they have what they want - autonomy. Georgians are unlikely to invade either region since they both have the support of Russia's army, and the west has already shown that it will not support Georgia militarily. If the two regions remained a part of Georgia, then conflict will almost certainly continue. Georgian domination of the Abkhaz and the Ossetians may be in the best interest of the Georgians, but it is certainly not in the best interest of all of the Caucasus. 3. This is a bit of an absurd and unsubstantiated claim. If Pro wishes to claim that the Abkhaz and Ossetian people do not know their own history and culture, he is going to have to provide some strong evidence. Otherwise, we have no reason to suspect that these ethnic groups are not more aware of their own history and culture than are we. ------------------- The following are just a couple of the reasons why Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be independent from Georgia. 1. CONFLICT A decline in conflict, separatist and ethnic, in the region. As mentioned above, independence for these two regions will cause violence and conflict to decline. 2. SELF DETERMINATION I have shown that there is not a shared history or culture between these groups. Since there is no shared culture, why should each ethnic group not have the ability to govern themselves as they see fit? Why should the Georgians be allowed to dominate them and impose their culture and law on Ossetians and Abkhaz? If the Ossetians and the Abkhaz were alright with it and accepted Georgian rule then it would be a different story. But as we have seen, both regions do not want to accept Georgian rule and have violently resisted it. In the west we value the principle of self determination. So why does Pro deny this same principle to the Abkhaz and the Ossetians?