Fireworks over Georgia

[Arpa]

Too bad that Artsakh is not contiguous with Russia, maybe it should, and that the natives don’t speak a sort of russky Slavic language. Neithet do the Ossets speak slavo-russky. Just like us, they speak a variant of Irano-IE.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/26...orld#cnnSTCText

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- The United States, Britain and NATO have condemned Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two breakaway regions in Georgia.

A Tskhinvali resident holds a Kalashnikov as she celebrates the recognition of South Ossetia's independence.

1 of 2"This is not an easy choice to make, but it represents the only possibility to save human lives," Medvedev said Tuesday in a televised address.

He called on other countries to follow Russia's lead, which comes in the wake of the Russian-Georgian conflict which erupted earlier this month. But the decision was immediately denounced by the United States, Britain and NATO.

"I think it is regrettable," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said during her visit to the Middle East. "It puts Russia, of course, in opposition to a number of [united Nations] Security Council resolutions to which it is party."

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the decision was "unjustifiable and unacceptable."

"It will also not work. It is contrary to the principles of the peace agreement, which Russia recently agreed... [it] further inflames an already tense situation in the region," Miliband said.

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the decision was in "direct violation of numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding Georgia's territorial integrity."

Speaking to CNN's Matthew Chance, Medvedev said the move was in line with international law.

"It is internationally recognized that if a people based on all these [u.N.] provisions express their will to have an independent existence... any other state in the world has the right to recognize this independence whether you like it or not," the Russian president said. Watch Medvedev recognize the breakaway regions »

He also noted that Russia "would like to avoid a new edition of the Cold War era."

Medvedev signed the order a day after it was overwhelmingly approved by both houses of Russia's parliament.

Speaking Monday, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili called the votes an attempt by Russia to "justify the occupation" by its forces, which remain in parts of Georgia.

"It is unjustified, it is against the norms of international law and poses a challenge to the world community," he said.

Western nations have expressed support for Georgia, which aspires to NATO and European Union membership, with the U.S. dispatching a major humanitarian aid mission.

U.S. President George Bush said Monday that he was "deeply concerned" by the Russian parliament's vote, and urged Russia not to recognize the independence of the two pro-Moscow breakaway regions.

"The United States will continue to stand with the people of Georgia and their democracy and to support its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

South Ossetia and Abkhazia broke away from Georgia during civil wars in the 1990s. Russia strengthened ties with them after the U.S. and much of Europe recognized the independence of the Serbian province of Kosovo earlier this year, a move that Moscow had warned against.

Georgian troops attacked pro-Russian separatists in South Ossetia on August 7, triggering a Russian invasion of Georgia. Russian tanks, troops and armored vehicles poured into South Ossetia and Abkhazia the following day, advancing into Georgian cities. Each side offered conflicting figures on how many people died in the fighting.

The Bush administration has insisted that both Abkhazia and South Ossetia remain part of Georgia, a U.S. ally that is seeking NATO membership, and says resolving the disputes between the Georgian government and the regions "should be a matter of peaceful negotiations and discussions among the parties."

Why do I "quote" the news items? It is because after a while the URLs are removed.

Edited August 26, 2008 by Arpa

[MyTerrain]

This is excellent news for our beloved Artsakh!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7582181.stm

[Armenak]

This is excellent news for our beloved Artsakh!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7582181.stm

It only shows that Russia will recognize those territories which may one day become part of the federation.

 

Perhaps Russia will wait for Armenia to recognize the Nagorno-Artsax Republic first.

[Nané]

Will Armenia be among the first to recognize Abkhazia and S. Ossetia? What do you think? Wouldn't it be extremely hypocritical if they don't? What will be the short term and long term cons?

[hyethga]

Will Armenia be among the first to recognize Abkhazia and S. Ossetia? What do you think? Wouldn't it be extremely hypocritical if they don't? What will be the short term and long term cons?

 

And what then? Wait for Georgia to cut off all its rail and ground traffic with Armenia, leaving Iran as our only (superficial) access to the rest of the world? Unless the Russians burrow through Georgia and create a landbridge with Armenia, Armenia will see no good coming out of recognizing two weak entities in an already hostile country.

Edited August 27, 2008 by hyethga

[MosJan]

It only shows that Russia will recognize those territories which may one day become part of the federation.

 

Perhaps Russia will wait for Armenia to recognize the Nagorno-Artsax Republic first.

 

tsavoq srty du jisht es barekam

[MosJan]

 

Russia recognizes South Ossetia and Abkhazia to save people’s lives

 

Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

 

“The people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia have repeatedly supported their independence. We understand that they have a right to determine their fate themselves after what happened recently,” Medvedev said in a televised address.

 

 

 

 

 

“They addressed to Russia with a request to recognize their independence. Taking into consideration the free will of the peoples, the UN Charter and OSCE documents, I have signed decrees to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on behalf of the Russian Federation. This is the only way to save people’s lives,” Medvedev said.

 

Medvedev compared Saakashvili’s actions with the position of a former Georgian President, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who unleashed the war under the slogan “Georgia for Georgians.”

 

"Saakashvili chose genocide to fulfill his political plans," Medvedev said. "Georgia chose the least human way to achieve its goal - to absorb South Ossetia by eliminating a whole nation."

 

“Russia stopped the extermination of the Georgian people and then showed restraint with a goal to regulate the conflict through diplomacy,” the president said.

 

“Our warnings were left with no response. NATO and the UN ignored them. It is clear now that the Georgian administration was preparing for the war, whereas the support of its external protectors was only strengthening the feeling of impunity. The Georgian administration chose another way – to disrupt negotiations, launch military provocations and attack peacemakers. The Georgian administration initiated a military conflict in defiance of common sense and contrary to the UN Charter,” Medvedev said.

 

The Federation Council and the State Duma of Russia unanimously previously voted for the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

 

“Russia’s recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a necessary condition to ensure security for these nations. We are obliged to support the aspiration of the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to stability, peace and independence,” Federation Council speaker Sergei Mironov said.

 

The presidents of the now-recognized republics, Sergei Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoity, thanked Medvedev for his decision.

 

Residents of Sukhumi and Tskhinvali (the capitals of South Ossetia and Abkhazia) took to the streets to celebrate the news.

 

Russia ’s decision to recognize the independence of the two republics came out of the blue for its citizens. People started making countless phone calls to share their joy. Everyone started to congratulate each other after Medvedev’s televised address.

 

Cars blare their horns and people fire guns in the air celebrating their long-awaited independence, Interfax reports from Tskhinvali. People can be seen in the streets waving the flags of the republic, hugging and congratulating each other.

 

“The president’s decision is a response to those political speculators, who claimed that Russia needed new lands and who referred to Russia as an invader and who said that Russia was going to annex Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states is a refusal from annexation,” Dmitry Rogozin, Russia’s ambassador to NATO said in a statement.

 

 

 

 

[MosJan]

 

USA to evacuate disgraced Georgian president in case of national coup

 

The USA said that one country [Russia] can not recognize independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and that the process should be conducted by the United Nations Organization. US President Bush urged his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev not to recognize the republics and reiterated that the USA supported the territorial integrity of Georgia.

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also set out a hope that Medvedev would say no to the State Duma and the Federation Council. New EU members are ready to end their relations with Russia. Moscow is prepared for a chill: Medvedev is ready to cut back relations with NATO, whereas Putin does not see any pluses in Russia’s WTO membership.

 

White House spokesman Tony Fratto stated Monday that the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia should be solved by the international community and the United Nations, but never by one country alone.

 

Fratto’s statement followed the decision of the Russian parliament (State Duma) and the Federation Council, which supported the aspirations of the two republics to become independent and sovereign states.

 

Washington immediately described the decision of the Russian lawmakers as unacceptable. Spokespeople for the US administration stated that Russia must respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.

 

"I call on Russia's leadership to meet its commitments and not recognize these separatist regions," Bush said in a statement from Texas, where he is vacationing at his ranch.

 

"Georgia's territorial integrity and borders must command the same respect as every other nation's, including Russia's," the president said.

 

Bush said independence for the two regions would undercut the international attempt to resolve Georgia's border disputes, a United Nations effort that Russia has supported.

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expects Dmitry Medvedev not to support the appeal of the Federation Council and the State Suma to recognize independence of the two nations.

 

“I expect that the president will not sign off on the decision, as this would create a critical situation with regard to the territorial integrity of Georgia,'' Merkel said.

 

The summit of the European Union on Georgia, which opens in Brussels on September 1, is expected to become an arena for more anti-Russian initiatives. Some EU members urge to punish Russia for its politics in the Caucasus.

 

Former communist countries of Europe offered to freeze partnership and visa-free entry talks with Russia. They also use the support of Britain and Sweden suggesting the boycott of Winter Olympics 2014 in Russia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Medvedev stated at a recent meeting with Russia’s ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, that it was NATO-members that were interested in their cooperation with Russia, but not vice versa.

 

 

 

 

 

“If they are willing to completely end their ties with us, nothing horrible will happen for Russia,” Medvedev said.

 

“We have been developing partnership ties with NATO for quite a long time, but we do not need illusions of partnership. We a ready to make any decision, including the one that will end the relationship in general,” he added.

 

NATO headquarters responded immediately and said that it would be a mistake for Russia to put an end to its contacts with NATO.

 

Prime Minister Putin stated at a recent session of his government that he did not see any pluses of Russia’s incorporation into the World Trade Organization.

 

“This does not mean that we must stop our strategic moves towards the WTO, but one has to clarify relations with partners,” Putin said.

 

The US administration is perfectly aware of the fact that the crisis in Georgia may trigger a civil war in the country. The Georgians may topple their president against the background of a significant price growth in the nation, which took place after the beginning of Georgia’s aggression in South Ossetia.

 

Russian newspapers say that the USA has been greatly disappointed in Mikhail Saakashvili. The Georgian president has not justified USA’s hopes and his career in politics will end very soon. The Georgian president is completely incapable of acting adequately and reasonably and may thus completely ruin USA’s plans in the region.

 

Senator Joseph Biden became personally certain of that during his meeting with Saakashvili in Tbilisi. The fate of the Georgian leader has been determined, a source close to the US Embassy in Georgia said.

 

A helicopter of the US Coast Guard cutter Dallas, which is drifting near the port of Batumi, will evacuate the disgraced Georgian president to the USA in case of a coup.

 

 

[MosJan]

News Send to friend | Print version http://www.russiatoday.com/media/news/6/48b3cf81ed13b.jpgRussian President Dmitry Medvedev August 26, 2008, 20:43

Medvedev exclusive: We’re not afraid of Cold War

With the Russian parliament backing the independence of the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, President Dmitry Medvedev gives his views on the issue in an exclusive interview with RT. RT: Immediately after Kosovo’s independence was recognised, Moscow said this could become a precedent for South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Today, you made a decision to support these republics’ independence. Why did Russia do it? Does this square with international law?

 

Medvedev: I'll start with your second question. This is fully in line with international law. When the case of Kosovo arose, my colleagues said this was a special case, or, as experts in international affairs say, casus sui generis. Well, each case of such recognition is a special case. The situation in Kosovo was special, and the situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia is special as well.

 

In our situation, it is quite obvious that we made this decision in order to prevent genocide and annihilation of these peoples, and to help them to come to their feet. These unrecognised republics have been struggling for their independence for seventeen years now. Despite all attempts by the international community, no progress was made during this time. Until just recently, we tried to help restore the state unite of Georgia. However, it didn’t work.

 

The decision to launch an aggression buried all hopes of achieving an agreement. Thus, under current circumstances, the only way to preserve these peoples is to recognise them as subjects of international law, to recognize their state independence.

 

That is why our decision is fully in line with international law, the UN Charter, Helsinki declarations and other international documents.

 

RT: Is Russia prepared for a long and tough confrontation with leading world powers that the decision it made today may lead to? And, in general, aren’t we afraid of the prospect to enter another Cold War?

 

Medvedev: We are not afraid of anything, the prospect of another Cold War included. Of course, we don't want that. In this situation, everything depends on the stand of our partners in the world community, our partners in the West. If they want to preserve good relations with Russia, they will understand the reason for making such a decision, and the situation will be calm. But if they choose a confrontational scenario, well, we‘ve been through all kinds of situations, and we’ll survive.

 

RT: You have signed the six-point agreement. One of the points says Russia should pull its troops out of Georgia. Nevertheless, Russia is still being accused of not meeting this obligation. Is this true? Are there Russian troops left in Georgia?

 

Medvedev: That's not true. Russia has fully met its obligations stemming from the six principles of the so-called Medvedev-Sarkozi agreement. Our troops have been withdrawn from Georgia, except for the so-called security corridor.

 

RT: The presidential campaign is underway in the US. Both candidates have spoken more than once on Russia’s actions in Georgia. Don’t you think this situation is being used as an instrument for the political struggle inside the US?

 

Medvedev: Well, as far as I know, usually during the elections in the United States of America, voters are quite indifferent to what is happening abroad. But if one of the candidates managed to use this question, well, godspeed him. The main thing is that it should not lead to international tensions. I have no doubt that both candidates will try to spin this situation for his purposes. But such are the rules of the election campaign.

 

To watch the interview press the VIDEO button on the right.

 

http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/29490/video

 

 

 

[MosJan]

News Send to friend | Print version http://www.russiatoday.com/media/news/e/48b4a1509f3c8.jpegVitaly Churkin, Russian ambassador to UN. (AFP Photo / Mario Tama) August 27, 2008, 6:26

Russia urges UN to back independence move

Russia has officially informed the UN Secretary General about the country's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia’s independence. The Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, has called on the Security Council to adopt a resolution, which would go along with the six point peace plan. He started a media conference in New York by reading a statement from Russia's Foreign Ministry.

 

"Russia has recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, mindful of its responsibility for ensuring the survival of their fraternal peoples in the face of aggressive, chauvinistic policy pursued by Tbilisi,” it says.

 

“Saakashvili has himself dashed the possibility of the territorial integrity of Georgia. Using repeatedly brutal military force against the peoples, whom, according to his words, he would like to see within his state, Mikhail Saakashvili left them no other choice but to ensure their security and the right to exist through self-determination as independent states.”

 

Also, Churkin dismissed allegations that Russia is preparing to annex the two regions after the recognition of their sovereignty.

 

He said that now borders around Abkhazia and South Ossetia are, according to Russia, international.

 

The Georgian ambassador to the UN, Irakli Alasania has also addressed the media and has called on international community to condemn Russia’s decision. He said that the new development has no international standings in regards to Georgia’s sovereignty.

 

"The Georgian attack on South Ossetia created a new reality," Vitaly Churkin said. "We had warned many times that the recognition of independent Kosovo would trigger a corresponding reaction."

 

Churkin, however, confirmed that Russia would not recognize the independence of Kosovo.

 

“I personally believe that Abkhazia and South Ossetia have a lot more reasons and a much better legal ground for their independence than Kosovo,” he said.

 

 

 

[MosJan]

News Send to friend | Print version http://www.russiatoday.com/media/news/5/48b40f6dc086d.jpg August 27, 2008, 2:01

West speaks out against breakaway republics' independence

A number of Western countries have voiced their opposition against Russia’s decision to recognise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. A French Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "We consider this is a regrettable decision and I recall our attachment to the territorial integrity of Georgia." French President Nicolas Sarkozy helped broker the ceasefire in South Ossetia which ended the fighting. Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner later confirmed France’s position in a parliamentary committee meeting: "We decisively condemn this decision."

 

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the Russian decision to recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia was "absolutely unacceptable". Speaking in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, Merkel said the recognition of the breakaway republics’ independence “contradicts principles of territorial integrity as a fundamental right."

 

Earlier in the day she was joined at a press conference by Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, who pledged: "Europe will not leave Georgia on its own."

 

In the United States, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that a Russian motion to recognise the independence of the two republics would be "dead on arrival" in the UN Security Council. She added that it puts Russia "in opposition to a number of Security Council resolutions to which it is party".

 

The United Kingdom also condemned Russia’s actions. "We reject this categorically and reaffirm Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," a UK Foreign Office spokesperson said.

 

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called for the formation of a strong coalition to counteract the Russian decision. "I am holding talks today with international partners and will be visiting Ukraine tomorrow to ensure the widest possible coalition against Russian aggression in Georgia," he said.

 

A spokesperson for the office of EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, said on Tuesday: “The European Union confirms its support for Georgia and its territorial integrity.”

 

NATO General Secretary, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, also said: "NATO fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and calls on Russia to respect these principles." He claims Russia is violating UN resolutions concerning Georgia’s territorial integrity. But what for NATO is a breach of contract, for Russia is double standards.

 

When Kosovo declared independence in February, 46 UN countries formally backed the bid - France, the UK and U.S. among them. Moscow now says it’s not to be lectured by those who opened what it sees as Pandora’s Box.

 

Russia’s Envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin said: “How is it possible to recognise Kosovo, to rip a piece out of Serbia, a country that’s been sovereign for much longer than Georgia, and now talk about protecting Georgia’s territorial integrity? Choose what it is that you’re defending.”

 

And it’s a view echoed by analysts. According to Marc Almond from Oriel College, Oxford, “the fact that the West has pushed through Kosovo situation means that the West is in a very weak position to say that the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia somehow transgresses the international law”.

 

“I’m afraid international law was ripped up in February on this sort of issue,” he said.

 

 

[MosJan]

News Send to friend | Print version http://www.russiatoday.com/media/news/6/48b402c0d9b28.jpg August 27, 2008, 8:17

Breakaway republics celebrate recognition by Russia

Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Osettia has sparked jubilation in Georgia’s two breakaway republics. Celebratory gunfire has been going on for hours in the South Ossetian capital Tskhinval, along with blasts of loud, cheerful music. Similar scenes have occurred in Sukhum, the capital of Abkhazia. The celebrations in both capitals are expected to last for at least a few more days.

 

The breakaway republics are now looking to an independent future following Russia's recognition of their status.

[MosJan]

News Send to friend | Print version http://www.russiatoday.com/media/news/5/48b43b0c64522.jpgEduard Kokoity, South Ossetian president (AFP Photo / Dmitry Kostyukov) August 26, 2008, 21:16

South Ossetian president: we deserve our independence

The president of South Ossetia has hailed Russia’s decision to recognise its independence and says the territory deserves it. In an exclusive interview with RT, Eduard Kokoity described the day as an historic event and hopes the international community will follow Russia’s lead. Kokoity said his compatriots have been working on the international recognition of South Ossetia for long 14 years.

 

In spite of massive support from the EU and the US, he said Georgia had found no argument in its dispute with its breakaway republic other than aggression and another wave of genocide against Ossetians.

 

He added that his people were always in favour of a peaceful and civilised way of settling the conflict, but, except for Russia, he believes there is no other guarantor of peace and stability in the North Caucasus.

 

He described the day as a great holiday and an historical event for himself and his fellow countrymen.

 

To read the transcript of his interview follow the link.

 

Mr Kokoity hopes that all major forces of the world will choose the same approach and recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. He claimed it was only a matter of time, as everything was made within the framework of international law. He described the day as one of victory over politicians with double standards.

 

Kokoity said the example of Kosovo independence, and the support it received on the part of the EU and the US, played a key role in the final recognition of the two Georgian breakaway republics, and restoring historical justice.

 

The South Ossetian president insists that, in spite of statements by Georgian officials, those Georgian nationals who live in his country are fully fledged citizens of South Ossetia.

 

He said South Ossetia deserved independence and knows how to protect it.

 

Kokoity now plans to get back home as soon as possible to be with his people, and celebrate the holiday in the republic’s capital of Tskhinvali.

 

He says that he is aware that many countries will refuse to recognise South Ossetia, but believes many will be pursuing their own geopolitical interests. That is why he said South Ossetia is going to fully observe international law and international formats that exist.

 

In any case, he added, South Ossetia is a part of Europe, and is going to do everything to comply with those requirements applied by the EU - except for those of the policy of double standards.

 

To watch this interview in full please press the VIDEO button on the right.

 

 

[MosJan]

News Send to friend | Print version http://www.russiatoday.com/media/news/4/48b4139601e44.jpgAFP Photo / Andrei Smirnov August 26, 2008, 15:51

Russia doesn't need new territories - Russian envoy to NATO

Russia’s envoy to NATO says he hopes the international community will understand the decision by Russia to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Dmitry Rogozin, who was recalled to Moscow for consultations, said: "The decision to recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia is a response to political speculations, proving Russia doesn't need new territories. "This recognition is a logical reaction to Georgia's aggression. We are hopeful that most UN member states will take the news with understanding."

 

Rogozin called Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili "an international provocateur who did his best to make Georgia's domestic conflict an international affair". "Saakashvili is developing Stalin's idea: if there's a people there is a problem, if there's no people, there's no problem," he said.

 

Suspended co-operation with NATO

 

Russia’s envoy to NATO also named fields in which co-operation with the alliance will be suspended following the recent conflict in South Ossetia. Speaking at a media conference in Moscow, he said co-operation will be mainly “pragmatic” and that military partnership will be significantly reduced.

 

Russia will freeze contact between top military officials and visits of NATO military vessels to Russian ports, put on hold joint military exercises and educational programmes, as well as suspend interaction of scientific experts in the military field.

 

Although Rogozin accused NATO of “double standards” he still said that Russia does not reject political dialogue.

 

He claimed Russia does not intend to stop working within sections of the Russia-NATO Council, such as the working group for cooperation in airspace, and for the control of conventional weapons.

 

Rogozin also underlined that Russia considers it premature to give up co-operation with NATO in Afghanistan.

 

“Our stance is that Afghanistan is our common problem,” he said. “The Taliban has been very active. As long as NATO forces are holding military operations in Afghanistan, we won’t make any moves, observing how our relations with the alliance develop."

 

He added: “NATO’s information centre must stop its activities in Russia as we don’t have the opportunity to open our own information centre in NATO.”

[MosJan]

 

Western leaders blast Russia for recognizing Abkhazia, S.Ossetia

21:33 | 26/ 08/ 2008 http://img.rian.ru/i/b_print.gif MOSCOW, August 26 (RIA Novosti) - Foreign leaders spoke out Tuesday against Russia's decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, while people in the Georgian breakaway regions greeted the news with raucous celebrations.

 

Britain, the United States, Germany, France and Italy expressed their support for Georgia's sovereignty. The British Foreign Office said Russia's decision did not contribute to a peaceful settlement in the Caucasus and was out of line with its international commitments.

 

"We reject this categorically and reaffirm Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

 

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia "regrettable."

 

Germany's Angela Merkel said Russia's decision was "totally unacceptable," adding that she hoped the European Union would say the same. France also called the decision "regrettable," while Italy said the move was illegal.

 

Georgia called the decision to recognize the republics "an unconcealed annexation" and said its ties with Russia would now "stall for a long time, if not for good."

 

Georgia attacked South Ossetia on August 8 in an attempt to regain control over the separatist republic, which split from Tbilisi in the early 1990s. Most people living in South Ossetia have Russian citizenship and Moscow subsequently launched an operation to "force Georgia to accept peace." The operation was concluded on August 12.

 

Russia's president signed decrees Tuesday recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states and called on other countries to follow suit.

 

"This is not an easy decision, but it is the only way to protect people's lives," Dmitry Medvedev said in a televised address a day after both houses of Russia's parliament voted unanimously on resolutions asking the Russian leader to recognize the independence of the two republics following requests from their leaders.

 

Russian officials have said Georgia lost its right to the two regions following its military offensive against South Ossetia, in which hundreds of people died and thousands were forced to flee the devastated capital, Tskhinvali.

 

 

[DominO123]

Will Armenia be among the first to recognize Abkhazia and S. Ossetia? What do you think? Wouldn't it be extremely hypocritical if they don't? What will be the short term and long term cons?

 

Armenia doesn't even officially recognize Artsakh, how is this extremely hypocritical? This is a conflict between Georgia and Russia, Armenia should remain uninvolved.

[DominO123]

Anyone wonders why Turkey is so freaked those days and asking some coalitions? Remember the Montreux convention I brought in the past?

 

BWAHAHAHA!!! Delusions? And then Baden!!! They are even kissing Armenia's @ss now!!!

 

FATIH CEKIRGE: U.S. LIKELY TO DEMAND NEW ARRANGEMENT FOR TURKISH STRAITS

 

Hurriyet

Aug 25 2008

Turkey

 

Turkey's state-run Anatolian Agency Friday had published a "warning"

story, which contradicted with its news style. However it was well

prepared and based on concrete facts.

 

AA was issuing an official warning:

 

"Turkey should be prepared that the U.S. would demand the amendment

of the Montreux Convention..."

 

This statement was told by Hasan Kanbolat, an expert with Turkish

think tank, ASAM, was a signal of a concern which had been recently

dominated Ankara.

 

The real question is:

 

- Was the war on Georgia a plan to open the Black Sea to NATO forces?

 

The whole world had asked the same question after the war erupted:

Is the Georgian leader, Saakashvili, a mad man, who held a military

operation in South Ossetia despite Russia?

 

Now this question has a possible answer: This war had sped up Georgia's

NATO membership process, moreover turned into an urgent requirement.

 

So Saakashvili is not a mad man.

 

If we go back to the straits issue. In the short term the U.S. would

propose Turkey make a new arrangement on its straits. And it would

ask for an easing on the arrangements for the passage of warships,

including American ones (possibly on the condition of a NATO decision).

 

It is for this reason that the Black Sea is no longer an internal

sea and had become the waterway of the world's most important energy

lines. And Russia does not want any other country's hegemony here.

 

This is the main reason for the Georgia war, Russia's greenlight to

the invasion of Azerbaijan by Armenia and the increased partnership

of Moscow-Tehran-Damascus-Beijing.

 

The Montreux Convention was signed in 1936 and the NATO was established

in 1949. The U.S. did not sign the Montreux Convention and NATO was

born afterwards, meaning they could demand a new arrangement. Moreover,

the new members of NATO, Romania and Bulgaria, also have coasts

bordering the Black Sea.

 

In the Bucharest summit of NATO in April, Georgia's NATO membership

caused widespread debate. If Georgia was a NATO member, then

U.S. warships would have been deployed to the Black Sea under the

NATO umbrella. Or they were about to.

 

Moreover as a NATO member, Turkey was likely to support this. So the

"operation on South Ossetia" could well be a part of a larger to move

to make Georgia a NATO member.

 

The real question for Turkey still lies ahead; because the Black Sea

is now an "energy sea" and neither the U.S. nor Russia would want to

leave it alone.

 

Therefore, in the short term, a debate could be opened on the Montreux

Convention at a NATO meeting. The process to water down the Montreux

Convention may have already started. The U.S. and NATO could ask

for new arrangements on the status of the Turkish Straits. Turkey,

of course, would resist this. This serious question has been debated

in the strategic rooms and corridors of diplomacy in Ankara.

[MosJan]

RUSSIAN THREAT TO NATO SUPPLY ROUTE IN AFGHANISTAN

• Russia played a trump card in its strategic poker game with the West yesterday by threatening to suspend an agreement allowing NATO to take supplies and equipment to Afghanistan through Russia and Central Asia. British The Times reports the agreement was struck at a NATO summit in April to provide an alternative supply route to the road between the Afghan capital and the Pakistani border, which has come under attack from militants on both sides of the frontier this year. Zamir Kabulov, the Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan, told The Times in an interview that he believed the deal was no longer valid because Russia suspended military cooperation with NATO last week over its support for Georgia. No one with common sense can expect to cooperate with Russia in one part of the world while acting against it in another, he said. Mr Kabulov also suggested that the stand-off over Georgia could lead Russia to review agreements allowing NATO members to use Russian airspace and to maintain bases in the former Soviet Central Asian states of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. His remarks are likely to alarm NATO commanders because the Taleban have been targeting the supply routes of the alliance this year, mimicking tactics used against the British in 1841 and the Soviet Union two decades ago. NATO imports about 70 per cent of its food, fuel, water and equipment from Pakistan via the Khyber Pass, and flies in much of the rest through Russian airspace via bases in Central Asia. It has not started using the northern corridor because the deal covering nonmilitary supplies and no lethal military equipment has yet to be cleared with the Central Asian states involved. The need for an alternative route was highlighted by recent attacks on NATO supply convoys, including one that destroyed 36 fuel tankers in a northwestern Pakistani border town in March. Four US helicopter engines worth $13 million (£7 million) went missing on the way from Kabul to Pakistan in April. Last week militants killed ten French soldiers on the same route 30 miles from Kabul. Western officials fear that such attacks could increase in the power vacuum in Pakistan created by the resignation of Pervez Musharraf as President last week and the collapse of the coalition Government yesterday. Vladimir Putin, Russias President-turned-Prime-Minister, was the first foreign leader to telephone President Bush after the attacks on September 11, 2001, and has supported the War on Terror ever since. The Kremlin has fears about the spread of Islamic extremism into Central Asia and Muslim regions of Russia, especially Chechnya, where it fought two wars with Muslim rebels in the 1990s. Its not in Russias interests for NATO to be defeated and leave behind all these problems, Mr Kabulov, who worked at the Soviet Embassy in Kabul from 1983 to 1987, said. We would prefer NATO to complete its job and then leave this unnatural geography. But at the same time, well be the last ones to moan about NATOs departure. A NATO spokesman declined to respond to Mr Kabulovs comments and said that Russia had not informed the alliance officially of any decision to annul the northern corridor agreement

[MyTerrain]

And what then? Wait for Georgia to cut off all its rail and ground traffic with Armenia, leaving Iran as our only (superficial) access to the rest of the world? Unless the Russians burrow through Georgia and create a landbridge with Armenia, Armenia will see no good coming out of recognizing two weak entities in an already hostile country.

 

I agree, we are in a shitty situation. And Russia understands this, they won't demand that we recognize those territories.

 

[MosJan]

 

NATO’s navy delivers weapons to Georgia under the guise of humanitarian aid

 

 

 

NATO has been increasing its naval presence in the Black Sea during the recent several days.

 

“The US Navy destroyer USS McFaul, which is currently docked in the Georgian port of Batumi, carries about 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles on board. They are outfitted with nuclear warheads and are meant to hit ground targets. The remaining NATO ships are currently concentrated in the northern part of the Black Sea,” a source in the military intelligence of the Russian Federation said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He added that other NATO ships drifting in the Black Sea were armed with 64 anti-ship Harpoon missiles and about eight helicopters.

 

Washington insists that the ships, which appeared near Georgia’s shores, have been deployed there in accordance with George W. Bush’s decision, who ordered to deliver humanitarian aid to the Georgian military. Other NATO warships – Germany’s Luebeck, Spain’s Adm. Juan de Bourbon and Poland’s General K. Pulaski arrived to the shores of Bulgaria and Romania to participate in the military exercise that was scheduled along ago and has nothing to do with the conflict in Georgia.

 

“It is strange that such a large group of NATO warships has arrived for a joint exercise with Bulgaria or Romania. Usually, only one or two warships participate in such exercises, so the attempts to substantiate the presence of the naval group with a military exercise does not withstand any criticism,” the source said.

 

“It is clear that all statements made by the political and defense administration of NATO members are accompanied with outspoken militarist demarches. The use of nuclear weapons by NATO ships in the Black Sea is out of the question. The conventional weapons, which the NATO naval group has in the region, are more than enough to achieve any defense goals, which can be exemplified with Yugoslavia,” the source said.

 

The port of Batumi is the only port, which US warships can access on the Georgian territory. The port of Poti, which is larger and more convenient, remains under the control of Russia’s troops.

 

Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with Al-Jazeera in Sochi that Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia had only one goal – to help the people living in the two republics.

 

“There are no other motives in our actions,” Medvedev said answering the question about Russia’s possible intention to destabilize the government of Mikhail Saakashvili and change the political regime in the country, RIA Novosti reports.

 

 

“We only want to help the people who find themselves in trouble today. As for Saakashvili and his regime, we do not like it indeed. It is obvious that he did not only make a mistake but committed a crime. He must account for this crime to the people of Georgia and to the international community,” Medvedev said.

 

 

Medvedev emphasized that Russia had acknowledged the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to stop the extermination of their nations and help the regions to their feet. The president also stressed out that Moscow had completely carried out its pledges of the Medvedev-Sarkozy agreement. He added that the Russian troops had been pulled out from Georgia except for the so-called safety strip.

 

When asked whether Russian troops are still present in Georgia, Medvedev responded that such statements were not true to fact.

 

Russia is concerned about a possibility to deliver military hardware to Georgia on board NATO warships, which would only escalate the tension in the Caucasus.

 

“The absence of control over the cargoes, which NATO warships deliver to Georgia cannot but raise concerns with us. When there’s no control, there’s no guarantee that various weapons, for example man-portable missile systems, have not been or will not be delivered to Georgia. It can also be reconnaissance equipment including unmanned aerial vehicles,” the source said.

 

“We have the main attack force of NATO’s navy in the Black Sea, which acts under the guise of delivering humanitarian cargo or holding military exercises,” the source added.

 

In the meantime, Georgia is ready to single-handedly cut diplomatic ties with Russia. It will happen in response to Russia’s recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

 

Georgia’s Minister for Reintegration Timure Yakobashvili believes that Russia will not be alone in the implementation of the plan to dismember Georgia, as he said.

 

“It is quite possible that Russia has already won the support of some countries. But it is not ‘some countries’ that determine world politics. It is not an honor for Russia to be on the list with such subjects either,” he said.

 

The official added that Georgia would never put up with the loss of territories.

 

“The actions, which Russia has taken, will boomerang against it,” Yakobashvili said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://english.pravda.ru/world/ussr/106216-1/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MosJan]

News Send to friend | Print version http://www.russiatoday.com/media/news/e/48b569f6ce7cd.jpgAFP Photo / Dmitry Kostyukov August 27, 2008, 16:20

South Ossetia denies ethnic cleansing of Georgians

South Ossetia president Eduard Kokoity has denied claims that Georgians are being ethnically cleansed in the territory. He said it is important to live up to the standards of an independent state and maintained that all human rights are being observed in the republic. Kokoity added the Georgian population is protected by the Interior Ministry.

 

Speaking about the exchange of prisoners, he claimed that the Georgian side is reluctant to make a list-for-list exchange.

 

Talks about the exchange of bodies are now underway between Tskhinval and Tbilisi.

 

“We are ready to give all war dead to the Georgian side,” Kokoity said, “but Georgians are willing to co-operate. Trading is unacceptable in such matters. Otherwise, it’s like the Middle Ages”.

 

Ossetians and Abkhazians rejoice over independence

 

Meanwhile, huge celebrations are continuing in Abkhazia and South Ossetia after the recognition of their independent status by Russia. The euphoria remains in spite of the prospect of a long struggle to be recognised as sovereign states by the international community.

 

Even women have taken their firearms to celebrate and others went to show off their driving skills. People seem united as never before.

 

“Thank the Lord that we are finally recognised after all this bloodshed and genocide,” a local priest said.

 

The celebrations in both capitals are expected to last for at least a few more days.

 

“All Champaign and vodka is sold out. Today is a great holiday. Only one bottle remains – it’s for us to celebrate!” a saleswoman in a local shop said.

 

Traditional horns of wine were also dried out at the central square of Tskhinval.

 

The republics are now looking to an independent future following Russia's recognition of their status and are calling on the international community to recognise them as well.

 

 

[MosJan]

News Send to friend | Print version http://www.russiatoday.com/media/news/2/48b52f84761ce.jpg August 27, 2008, 14:41

Georgia sending spy planes to South Ossetia - Russia

A Georgian spy plane was detected in South Ossetian airspace on Tuesday, according to the Russian military. Colonel General Anatoly Nogovitsyn told a media briefing on Wednesday that the drone was acting in violation of existing agreements and believes Georgia is acting aggressively. "A Georgian reconnaissance drone was detected at 3.15pm Moscow time (11.15am GMT) on Tuesday,” he said. “It was flying from the south to the north over South Ossetia and spying on places of deployment and movement routes of Russian military units."

 

Nogovitsyn added that NATO has no right to endlessly enlarge the group of warships in the Black Sea.

 

The Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff said that, under the 1936 Montreux Convention on the status of the Black Sea straights, the maximum total tonnage of the fleet for non-coastal states is 45,000 tonnes.

 

There are currently ten NATO warships in the Black Sea, with eight more expected shortly.

 

Post this story to del.icio.us

 

 

[MosJan]

stalinashvili still thinks this is a video game

[MosJan]

News Send to friend | Print version http://www.russiatoday.com/media/news/9/48b567e74f579.jpgGeorgian Embassy in Moscow August 27, 2008, 18:39

Georgia reduces diplomatic ties with Russia

Georgia has announced it is recalling all but two of its diplomats from its Moscow embassy. According to Georgia's Minister for Re-integration, Temur Yakobashvili, the country will also minimise relations in response to Moscow's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia's independence. Yakobashvili says Georgia will decide whether to completely cut ties with Russia in the next few days, but no official decision has been made yet.

 

Russia has confirmed that it will not follow suit.

[MosJan]

News Send to friend | Print version http://www.russiatoday.com/media/news/d/48b434e02d960.jpg August 26, 2008, 20:26

How Russian decision will affect world’s unrecognised states

The recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia will have repercussions both in Russia and around the world. RT looks at the hopes of other unrecognised states and their relations with the international community. With 192 member states, the global world order is firmly wedded to the United Nations. So before any aspiring state can be formally recognised, it has to meet the approval of the UN General Assembly. And there are a couple of key hurdles to overcome.

 

It needs the consent of the Security Council, comprised of 15 countries and most importantly, the five permanent members of the Council. Today, there are a number of regions which are not recognised at all or only partially so.

 

Kosovo

 

Kosovo is the most recent example, having been recognised by more than 40 states, including the US, Canada and most of the European Union.

 

When Kosovo unilaterally declared independence this year, the veto exercised by permanent members Russia and China showed how the obstacles for full international recognition can be insurmountable.

 

To learn more about Kosovo follow the link.

 

http://www.russiatoday.com/media/image/d/48b42f4a04c48.jpg The Republic of Somaliland Somaliland

 

The Republic of Somaliland, located in north east Africa, has not been recognised by any state since it declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

 

Despite its fragile status, Somaliland is in a territorial dispute with Somalia, claiming the entire area of the former British Somaliland protectorate. Meanwhile, the north eastern region of Maakhir has in turn declared a separate, unrecognised autonomous state within Somalia.

 

Yet another separatist movement in the western Awdal province makes the international recognition for either of them virtually unachievable. If any of the breakaway regions is officially recognised, the whole of Somalia will collapse like a house of cards.

 

Ex-Soviet republics: Transdniester

 

http://www.russiatoday.com/media/image/3/48b433df783d8.jpg Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Artsax

and Transdniester Four more regions, all parts of former Soviet republics, unilaterally proclaimed independence in the early 1990s. They are Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Artsax and Transdniester. They acknowledge each other's status but this is not shared by the rest of the world.

 

Transdniester is located in a strip between the Dniester River and Ukraine.

 

After the dissolution of the USSR, Transdniester declared independence, leading to a four-month long conflict with Moldova. Although the ceasefire has held, the territory's political status remains unresolved, and Transdniester has been de facto independent since then.

 

Nagorno-Artsax Republic

 

The Nagorno-Artsax Republic, also known as the Artsakh Republic, is de facto independent, located about 270 km west of the Azerbaijani capital Baku, close to the border with Armenia.

 

The predominantly Armenian-populated region was long disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, while the Soviet Union had control over the area, the situation was relatively calm.

 

http://www.russiatoday.com/media/image/1/48b4340b2a4d4.jpg Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic In the final years of the Soviet Union, the region re-emerged as a source of dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, culminating in conflict fought from 1988 to 1994.

 

On December 10, 1991, as the Soviet Union was collapsing, a referendum held in Nagorno-Artsax and the neighboring Shahumian region resulted in a declaration of independence from Azerbaijan. Since the ceasefire in 1994, most of Nagorno-Artsax, as well as a number of regions of Azerbaijan in close proximity, remain under joint Armenian and Nagorno-Artsax military control.

 

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

 

There is another group of countries which have been accepted as sovereign states by UN member-countries, but not by the UN itself. They therefore cannot be considered fully independent states.

 

http://www.russiatoday.com/media/image/f/48b4344aadc85.jpg Taiwan The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, situated in the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara, proclaimed independence almost 40 years ago from Morocco. Since then it has remained a partially recognised state. It claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, parts of which are controlled by Morocco and Mauritania.

 

Taipei, Taiwan

 

Taiwan – formed after the Chinese Civil War – has essentially been independent for half a century. But China still regards it as a rebel region which must be reunited. It only has diplomatic relations with around two dozen countries and lost its UN seat in 1971.

 

http://www.russiatoday.com/media/image/1/48b434cd2e162.jpg The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus

 

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus declared independence in 1983, nine years after a Greek Cypriot coup - which was attempting to annex the island to Greece - triggered an invasion by Turkey. Northern Cyprus has only been recognised by Turkey, on which it is fully dependent.

 

Palestinian Authority

 

Israel, whose own status is itself disputed by some of its neighbours, has a breakaway region of its own: The Palestinian National Authority.

 

http://www.russiatoday.com/media/image/a/48b43482d6389.jpg The Palestinian National Authority