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Article: After summer war, identity crisis grips Abkhazia.(WORLD)
- Article from:
- The Christian Science Monitor
- Article date:
- October 20, 2008
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 The Christian Science Publishing Society. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Paul Rimple Contributor to The Christian Science Monitor
Sukhumi, Abkhazia -- Abkhazia is in the midst of an identity crisis.
While the tiny Black Sea republic, recognized only by Russia and Nicaragua, has defiantly proclaimed its independence from Georgia for 15 years, it's having trouble letting go of its ties to Russia.
Billboards in the capital city, Sukhumi, proclaim: "Independence, freedom, and peace," but only under juxtaposed images of Russian and Abkhazian flags and the two countries' presidents. Stores are stocked with Russian goods, and every summer Abkhazia's pristine coast is flooded with Russian tourists.
Despite ...