THE SOUTH CAUCASUS:

A REGIONAL OVERVIEW AND
CONFLICT ASSESSMENT

Prepared for the Swedish Agency for
International Development Cooperation (SIDA)

September 2002

Principal Author:           Svante E. Cornell
Contributing Authors:   Fariz Ismailzade, Tamara Makarenko, Khatuna Salukvadze, Georgi Tcheishvili

This Report was prepared by Cornell Caspian consulting under a contract for SIDA. The views and opinions expressed in this report should
in no way be taken as to reflect the position of the Swedish government or the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Contents

Summary and Recommendations

Regional Assessment
Recent Political and Economic Developments
Political Situation
Human Rights and Civil Society
Economic Development
Social Development, Health, Poverty
Environmental Issues
Ongoing Activities of Donors

Conflict and Security Assessment
Introduction
Current Status of Active and Potential Conflicts in the Region and Security Threats
Dangers for Future Instability
The Role of Development assistance in Conflict Management

Appendixes
Glossary
Maps
Statistiscal Appendix
Bibliographical Appendix
Biographies of Contributors

Ma