See other War, War, War Articles
Title: Why I had to recognise Georgia’s breakaway regions
Source:
FT.com
URL Source: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9c7ad792-7395-11dd-8a66-0000779fd18c.html
Published: Aug 26, 2008
Author: Dmitry Medvedev
Post Date: 2008-08-26 17:16:44 by a vast rightwing conspirator
Keywords: None
Views: 196
Comments: 11
Why I had to recognise Georgia’s breakaway regions By Dmitry Medvedev Published: August 26 2008 18:48 | Last updated: August 26 2008 18:48 On Tuesday Russia recognised the independence of the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It was not a step taken lightly, or without full consideration of the consequences. But all possible outcomes had to be weighed against a sober understanding of the situation – the histories of the Abkhaz and Ossetian peoples, their freely expressed desire for independence, the tragic events of the past weeks and international precedents for such a move. Not all of the world’s nations have their own statehood. Many exist happily within boundaries shared with other nations. The Russian Federation is an example of largely harmonious coexistence by many dozens of nations and nationalities. But some nations find it impossible to live under the tutelage of another. Relations between nations living “under one roof” need to be handled with the utmost sensitivity. After the collapse of communism, Russia reconciled itself to the “loss” of 14 former Soviet republics, which became states in their own right, even though some 25m Russians were left stranded in countries no longer their own. Some of those nations were unable to treat their own minorities with the respect they deserved. Georgia immediately stripped its “autonomous regions” of Abkhazia and South Ossetia of their autonomy. Can you imagine what it was like for the Abkhaz people to have their university in Sukhumi closed down by the Tbilisi government on the grounds that they allegedly had no proper language or history or culture and so did not need a university? The newly independent Georgia inflicted a vicious war on its minority nations, displacing thousands of people and sowing seeds of discontent that could only grow. These were tinderboxes, right on Russia’s doorstep, which Russian peacekeepers strove to keep from igniting. But the west, ignoring the delicacy of the situation, unwittingly (or wittingly) fed the hopes of the South Ossetians and Abkhazians for freedom. They clasped to their bosom a Georgian president, Mikheil Saakashvili, whose first move was to crush the autonomy of another region, Adjaria, and made no secret of his intention to squash the Ossetians and Abkhazians. Meanwhile, ignoring Russia’s warnings, western countries rushed to recognise Kosovo’s illegal declaration of independence from Serbia. We argued consistently that it would be impossible, after that, to tell the Abkhazians and Ossetians (and dozens of other groups around the world) that what was good for the Kosovo Albanians was not good for them. In international relations, you cannot have one rule for some and another rule for others. Seeing the warning signs, we persistently tried to persuade the Georgians to sign an agreement on the non-use of force with the Ossetians and Abkhazians. Mr Saakashvili refused. On the night of August 7-8 we found out why. Only a madman could have taken such a gamble. Did he believe Russia would stand idly by as he launched an all-out assault on the sleeping city of Tskhinvali, murdering hundreds of peaceful civilians, most of them Russian citizens? Did he believe Russia would stand by as his “peacekeeping” troops fired on Russian comrades with whom they were supposed to be preventing trouble in South Ossetia? Russia had no option but to crush the attack to save lives. This was not a war of our choice. We have no designs on Georgian territory. Our troops entered Georgia to destroy bases from which the attack was launched and then left. We restored the peace but could not calm the fears and aspirations of the South Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples – not when Mr Saakashvili continued (with the complicity and encouragement of the US and some other Nato members) to talk of rearming his forces and reclaiming “Georgian territory”. The presidents of the two republics appealed to Russia to recognise their independence. A heavy decision weighed on my shoulders. Taking into account the freely expressed views of the Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples, and based on the principles of the United Nations charter and other documents of international law, I signed a decree on the Russian Federation’s recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. I sincerely hope that the Georgian people, to whom we feel historic friendship and sympathy, will one day have leaders they deserve, who care about their country and who develop mutually respectful relations with all the peoples in the Caucasus. Russia is ready to support the achievement of such a goal. The writer is president of the Russian Federation Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: All (#0)
Were W and Condi unable to figure this out?
Antiparty - find out why, think about 'how'
Russia was correct in bitch slapping Georgia. That said, who gives a fig what happens in that region? We have enough domestic problems for 10 nations.
Yes, you can. Very well written piece. However, consistency is not a hallmark of countries. In Russia's case, Chechnya. In our case, moaning over Georgia with the Kosovo precedent the 800Lb Gorilla.
Where's General Sherman when you need him to go on a march again?
Freeper: I read, but do not understand, write, but make no sense, think, but nothing happens.
I wonder when the Ruskies will recognize Chechnya's independence.
No it wasn't. The only reason there were Russians in S Osetta was because the Russians ethnically cleansed the area in the past.
I don't know. Maybe when Israel recognizes Palestine's? Or do they not count?
Every time I've see "Dmitry Medvedev" in print lately, I can't help but think of "Soviet Premier Dmitri Kissoff" negotiating with Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove. That may be where this is ultimately headed. It'd almost be worth it to see McThuselah ride the warhead down a la Slim Pickens, but billions of people would then die, thus alleviating "global climate change" concerns but still definitely ruining the day of the survivors.
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
Nah, Mad Mac will be locked in his office talking about "purity of essence."
Well... there ARE too many people around. I agree. And I can't see how the current level of population or double/triple today's numbers can be sustainable for, let's say... 10,000 years. Or even 1,000 years. So, something WILL happen. I mean... try to imagine Mexico City or Calcutta with 100 million people in each.
Antiparty - find out why, think about 'how'
It's funny that it was the terribly 'bad guy' in Dr. Strangelove who was concerned with the purity of our precious bodily fluids. The roles seem to have reversed since.
Antiparty - find out why, think about 'how'
Meanwhile, ignoring Russia’s warnings, western countries rushed to recognise Kosovo’s illegal declaration of independence from Serbia. We argued consistently that it would be impossible, after that, to tell the Abkhazians and Ossetians (and dozens of other groups around the world) that what was good for the Kosovo Albanians was not good for them.
#2. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#0)
#3. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#0)
In international relations, you cannot have one rule for some and another rule for others.
#4. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#0)
#5. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#0)
#6. To: Jethro Tull (#2)
Russia was correct in bitch slapping Georgia.
#7. To: Old Friend (#5)
(Edited)
I wonder when the Ruskies will recognize Chechnya's independence.
#8. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#0)
#9. To: Sam Houston (#8)
It'd almost be worth it to see McThuselah ride the warhead down a la Slim Pickens, but billions of people would then die, thus alleviating "global climate change" concerns but still definitely ruining the day of the survivors.
#10. To: Sam Houston (#8)
#11. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#9)
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest