Russia's parliament voted unanimously to recognise the independence of
Georgia's two breakaway regions today in a direct challenge to the West.
The Federation Council voted 130-0 to ask President Dmitri Medvedev to
recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. Russia's lower
house of parliament, the Duma, followed shortly after with a 447-0 vote in
favour of recognition.
The votes throw down the gauntlet to the West over its support for the
democratic regime of President Mikheil Saakashvili in Georgia. The final
decision will rest with Mr Medvedev, who has already declared his readiness
to "make the decision which unambiguously supports the will of these two
Caucasus peoples".
It remains to be seen if he will defy intense international pressure by
recognising the two regions. The United States, European Union and Nato have
all backed Georgia's territorial integrity, including South Ossetia and
Abkhazia.
The Kremlin is certain to point to the precedent established in Kosovo,
against Russia's ally Serbia, to justify any decision to recognise the two
regions. But Mr Medvedev may stall any decision and use the parliamentary
vote as a political lever to extract concessions over the continuing
presence of Russian "peacekeepers" on Georgian soil.
Having fought two bitter wars to crush Chechnya's aspirations for independence
from Russia, the Kremlin will also be nervous about establishing a precedent
for separatist sentiment within its own borders.
The West has demanded a full withdrawal of Russian troops stationed at
"peacekeeping" checkpoints deep inside Georgia, something Moscow rejects.
The deputy chief of the general staff risked a further backlash today by
telling reporters in Moscow that soldiers would inspect cargo coming in and
out of Georgia's Black Sea port of Poti.
"The Russian contingent is carrying out patrolling duties in Poti. Within the
framework of those tasks is the regular inspection of cargo which is brought
in and out of the port. These checks are carried out on a regular basis,"
Colonel-General Anatoly Nogovitsyn said.
President Saakashvili accused Russia of attempting to "change Europe's borders
by force" following the war over South Ossetia. He told the French newspaper
Liberation that the move would have "disastrous consequences" for Russia too.
"It is a classic invasion which has nothing to do with international law," he
said, adding that the ceasefire negotiated by President Sarkozy of France
had been a "rescue operation" that prevented Russian tanks entering the
Georgian capital Tbilisi.
South Ossetia's separatist leader, Eduard Kokoity, told the Federation Council
that Russia had averted "genocide" in his region, which had more grounds
than Kosovo to claim independence. Abkhazia's president Sergei Bagapsh said:
"Neither Abkhazia nor South Ossetia will ever again live in one state with
Georgia."
Experts suggested that Mr Medvedev would avoid full recognition, though the
influence of Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister, may be decisive in ignoring
Western pressure.
Mr Putin detests Mr Saakashvili and was very visibly in charge of the military
operation against Georgia, relegating Mr Medvedev to a spectator.
"Right after the conflict with Georgia, Russia would look very indecent if it
immediately annexed South Ossetia and Abkhazia," Yevgeny Volk, of the
US-based Heritage Foundation, said. "Russia will be perfectly content if
they are pseudo-independent states," Mr Volk added, drawing a parallel with
Northern Cyprus, which is only recognised by Turkey.
The EU has grown increasingly exasperated at Russia's refusal to withdraw its
troops completely from Georgia. Mr Sarkozy, who holds the rotating EU
presidency, yesterday called an emergency summit for September 1 to discuss
relations with Russia.
But divisions within Europe over the best response to Russia's first military
intervention since the end of the Cold War were quickly exposed in remarks
by Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister. He told France Inter radio
that, despite problems in the relationship, "we are not talking about
sanctions" against Russia.
When can we recognise the independance and sovereignty of Chechnya??
John, Sydney,
Saakashvili is clown.
<<Ceasefire negotiated by President Sarkozy of France had been a "rescue operation" to prevent Russian tank entering Tbilisi>>
Russia has no interest in poor Georgia or even more poor Ossetia.
During Soviet times Russia subsidized both.
He forgot that he attacked first!
SKV, New york, USA
Why were the South Ossetians and Abkhazians given Russian passports but not allowed to leave?
They thought they could move to Russia but instead they became Trojan Horses.
J. Christian, Birmingham, UK
President Saakashvili accused Russia of attempting to "change Europe's borders by force"
...and blanketing a town with rocket fire during the night, killing 2000 civilians not a use of force?????
Alex, Melbourne, Australia
Zaza, no the Soviets didn't know any other way of voting. But the Soviets were ousted 17 years ago, and in any event voting as one was initiated by YOUR mighty Stalin. Forget that not.
Mike, Bristol,
Don't be scared of the 3th world war. Russia is weaker than USSR and it is not 70s. As russian liberals say: Russia needs pressure from the west, it works very well, like now in Georgia.
When you are talking about this specific conflict do not mix up with the others. Does not make any sense.
Nodar Dugladze, London, UK
Information on ethnic cleansing by Georgians (2000 dead on the first day (?)) is a KGB propaganda stunt. The Russian officials later stated that number of dead and wounded on the Russian/Ossetia sides does not exceed 133. On the Georgian side there are more than 600 dead and still counting…
Nina, Falls Church, USA
Abkhazia and South Ossetia are part of Georgia, but if they have independance and the refugees, about 200,000 Georgians are allowed to return, (from the first war) there would be no conflict regions, Georgia can apply for membership of NATO, the Russians would have no excuse to stay in this region
Rob Johnson, london, UK
This will all be settled,Unfortunately it will take world war three and so it will be.
Peter, Vancouver BC., Canada
No Aleksey you are right.
A constitutional Russian monarchy would be great for your country.
On all human development indices - human rights, open society, political stability - constitutional democracies (Sweden, Australia, Canada) are the highest countries on earth.
Long Live the Czar!
Bertie Becker, London,
I have read with interest in particular the views from Russian and Georgian contributors. To you all I say, what we need in the West is clarity-where is the pared-down truth of what really happened and why? Opinions should be informed, not dictated to.
Rick Hart, Kettering, UK
may i just ask one simple question regarding the russia/georgia matter. what bunch of clowns decided to split ossetia into two parts in the first place , one in russia and placing one in georgia. anyone with half a brain should have known what would happen in the long term.
stephen baron, leith, tasmania
may i ask one simple question. who decided to split ossetia into two parts, one in russia and placing one in georgia and what did they think would happen someway down the track. makes me wonder at the intelligence of some people.
stephen baron, leith, tasmania
Very bad that foreign press only covers events from Georgia. While it is understandable why this is happening. Steels talk about the isolation of Russia from Western nations, and I want to remind you that the isolation of this decision but neither of these Communists are not as young democratic country. I always wanted to have on my country was king or queen ... I think this is proof of democratic State ... but I apparently mistaken after recent statements by Western friends of Russia.
Aleksey, Moscow, Russia
In the 1220s was Mongol invasion and decline of the Georgian. From this moment there no any Georgia.
In the early 18th century Kartli,Kaheti and Imereti was saved by Russian trops from invasion. And this regions was includeded in Russia. Georgia was reunified for the first time in centuries.
Dmitriy, Novosibirsk, Russia
you are talking about Abkhazia and south osestia and have no idea about these conflicts. Georgia offered both the widest possibly autonomy and the most ossetians and abkhazians would have agreed if not russians. For he last 15 years russian " peacekeepers" did their best to prevent negotiations
Tamuna, Tbiisi,
Sergey, the Chinese will make interesting allies as they gaze at their lost territories to their North, rich in resources with a diminishing Russian population, as theirs infiltrate, carrying their Chinese passports.
The Islamists in the Middle East also covet their cobelievers' lands in 'Russia'.
Dr Andris Lielmanis, Brampton, Canada.
Kosovo the West's creation. Now the two break away regions of Georgia recognised by Russia.
The next is Tamil Eelam on the southern tip of India. Wii the West and Russia recognise the long suffering people of Tamil Eelam? Please do.
K Vijayakumar , London, UK
Luke, we all want Russia to stand again.
A politically free ,democratic & prosperous Russia, behaving responsibly, maturely and unthreatingly with its neighbours would be welcome.
An increasingly authoritarian&bellicose&untrustworthy Russia is not welcomed and will be increasingly&rightly shunned.
Dr Andris Lielmanis, Brampton, Canada.
West (US mainly) doesn't want even to listen to Russia's position concerning the conflict... Instead they support a murderer Saakashvilly who should be a good Hollywood actor but not a sober-minded politician.
That's very pity if our allies in the 21st century will be China and Middle East...
Sergey, Moscow, Russia
Dustin - Kosovo once had a majority Serb population - but after years of illegal Albanian immigration, higher birthrates, as well as informal ethnic cleansing of Serbs that majority was gradually whittled away. That provides absolutely no moral basis for dismembering Serbia and yet we still did it.
Bertie Becker, London,
I'm sorry - when did the Yugoslav army commit genocide against Albanians in Kosovo? People were shifted across the border but there was no genocide. This is exactly the false hyperbole that "justified" the dismemberment of democratic Serbia in 2008: almost 10 years after the supposed "genocide".
Bertie Becker, London,
The truth is that we, the West, have opened up a real can of worms here and we've just seen the first of many, perhaps bloody, results of this.
Only way out: de-recognize Kosovo and avoid setting this ridiculous precendent.
Bertie Becker, London,
Kosovo declares independence, the US and most of Europe recognize it almost immediately. Meanwhile South Ossetia and Abkhazia, who have been self-governed for over a decade, want independence and the West refuses to allow it. Western hypocrisy knows no bounds.
Ruob, Melbourne, Australia
And how do you think, is it the start of the 3d World War?
....may be yes?
Irina, Voronezh, Russia
Are all you people alright in the head? Saying stuff like "Russian aggression, Russian invaders, etc"
Facts:
1. Georgia attacked first!
2. Georgia broke 1992 peace accord
3. Georgia killed 2000 civilians
4. This is mass genocide
And you retards think this is Russia's fault?
Alex, Melbourne, Australia
Europe has recognised Kossovo, now everyone has to do the same with Ossetia and Abkhazia....
"Double standards" is not the best way to peaceful world!
Eileen, Kettering, UK
"Russia, the second imperialistic country in the world" Enzo, Brooklyn, NY, US
I guess its taking pointers from number 1, the great USA
Alex, Melbourne, Australia
I cannot see any ethical or practical difference between the situations in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, including the Russian invasion with that of Kosavo and the NATO invasion.
They appear to be identical scenarios (Other than the Serbian genocide of the Albanians there)
BP Vallance, Corfu, Greece
It is obvious Georgians still collaborating with americans. They are still accepting arms supply from american ships, who came under pretext of humanitarian aid. International community has to deal with this situation and respond apporpriately.
James G, Ghent, Belgium
Big deal, soon those two regions will want to be recognized by the West. or if they want to be absorbed into Russia that's there business.
Russia, the second imperialistic country in the world.
Enzo, Brooklyn, NY, US
«How they murdered their own business man to get control of the gas supply and renationalise the industry » I think there is a big difference between russian and US-UK business.How many have they killed to grab irakian oil and soon iranian?Double standards work for US-UK always!
Sergio, Ottawa,
rabble rabble rabble. i cant blieve you people will criticise Russia, whilst supporting the US. They are both trying to do the right thing, but politics and hidden agendas, will as per usual, win the day. It is a shame. I am glad to see Russia stand again, now we just need Europe back on its feet!
Luke, Port Macquarie, Australia
Russian troops and Ossetian militias have burned and looted entire Georgian villages in the conflict zone. I guess the Georgians didn't have proper "passports". Welcome to New Russia of Tsar Putin, same as Old Russia of Comrade Stalin.
John, Detroit, USA
Farida, quite right, let each of the republics of the Russian Empire vote in complete freedom and international supervision as to whether they wish complete independence or to remain as vassal states of a 'big brother'.
Dr Andris Lielmanis, Brampton, Canada.
Elena is quite correct that the socialists in Europe and the USA under Clinton, set a bad precedent in the forcible severance of Serbia from its Kosovo heartland.
One wrong doesn't make two rights; whereas Kosovars will be free&independent, Ossetians and Abkhazians, sadly, will never be.
Dr Andris Lielmanis, Brampton, Canada.
People can debate the sequence of events for August 2008 in South Ossetia as much as they want but the truth will only come out some 50 years from now.Russia was more than alert that day and it was the Georgians who were the ones surprised. The Russian set up was excellent as was the follow through.
Dr Andris Lielmanis, Brampton, Canada.
South Ossetia had Ossetians before 1999 and Kosovo had a Serbian majority at one time. So Kosovo is a precedent for South Ossetia
Michael, London,
The point, Bertie, is that all breakaway movements are not the same. The situation of Bengalis in Newham is hardly comparable. The Albanian majority is significant to Kosovo because there was not a forced shift in demographics of the extent in Abkhazia in order to achieve it.
Dustin, New York, United States
While people debate what happened on Aug 8, Georgians are being ethnically cleansed from their land, and Russia is still occupying half the country, blockading its seaport and major highway. NATO is returning to its core mission -- the use of force to prevent this kind of Russian aggression.
Brian, Seattle, USA
The problem with Kosovo was the recent Serbian history of mass atrocities and genocide. I fail to see how our actions there are in any way similar to Russia's actions in Georgia.
Robin Laundon, Cambridge, UK
Majority of Modovans want Transdnistria to be independent (I am from Moldova and not from Transnistria).
We are talking about democracy: Kosovo, Ossetia, Abhazia, Tibet, Kurds... ALL CAN BE INDEPENDENT.
West does let some to be independent and not to others. That is a shame for West. 2 standards
vlad, Huntsville, usa
It's just Democracy in action. We should be pleased that the Russians are following our lead. (Iraq)
Pwelvr, Great Falls, MT, USA
Now you USA and alies have diferent view when Russia doing what you have been doing for past 50 years or so
zvezdan, lon, uk
Formenting Ukrainian "Orange revolution" with the 5 billion US dollars by the Milos US Ambasador to Belgrade, Moscow and Kiew (CBC 2hrs episode described "Pokret" in Serbia, "Orange revolution" in Ukraine and "Rose revolution" in Georgia all ARE financed by the US to tople the local governments
Yitzchak M, Toronto,
It is the war of attrition by the NATO against the Russia and other targets of oportunity like Yugoslavia (which was not member of either "blocs") it was destroyed .
Russia last time gave 25 million of its boys to defend Ukraine, and Georgia from the "New World Order" today they gave it for free..
Yitzchak M, Toronto,
50 MLRS (Multiple Lunching Rocket System) 24x120mm designed for wide (non-precision) area destruction - extermination. Attack was on CIVILANS it was city at SLEEP without any warning.. it was an act for which Goering and Von Papen were to be hanged for, Shachaswili deserves no thing less.
Yitzchak M, Toronto,
On the Dutch island of Texel in April, 1945 Georgian collaborators murdered 400 of their erstwhile German "comrades" as they slept. This year the Tblisi rabble kept alive the Georgian tradition of "Murder Your Opponent While He Sleeps", only to leg it the first time they met real soldiers.
Andy, Preston, England
James UK
What you on about saying look at Russian history agression etc Look at UK and USA history i don't think that a year has past if they weren't involved in some kind of war. English forced Scotish Irish and Wesh under there rule and now they are doing same thing to everybody else with USA.
Marko, Leeds, UK
Dustin - so what if Albanians were majority? Bengalis are a majority in Newham - should they be independent, too?
Kosovo was taken away from Serbia in 2008, not 1999. Serbia is now democratic and committed to h. rights.
What's good for Serbia is good for Georgia.
Bertie, London,
Every massacre committed by a USA ally is not a masscre. The Russian have given the Bush Aministration a nasty shock that might get the Neocons out of their fantasies.
georges, Beirut, Lebanon
Nino, Tbilisi, Georgia No georigan has the right to say anything, after attacking sleeping civilans in thier homes, with weapons that are design to wipe out an entire area. Gerogians have shown like Stalin they have no repsect for anyone. All the sins of Russia are based almost entirely on Stalin...
darren, London, UK
if M.Saakashvili spent all the military money into the economics, to make it comparable to the EU countries, osetians and others would join Georgia without any question (who in their right mind would join crazy poor Russia?).
George, Moscow,
Kosovo is in no way a precedent for these regions to be independent. The Georgian breakaway regions were ethnically cleansed of their Georgian population (esp. Abkhazia where Georgians were a plurality before Russian-backed rebels expelled them). Kosovo was majority-Albanian before 1999 and after.
Dustin, New York, United States
The great Georgia's mistake is a heavy military fire on S.Ossetia's cities and villages. Georgia could take a control over S.Ossetia by two ways:1 - To support all ossetians by humanitarian aid or 2 - to kill'em all aty once. Now nobody can stop long long partizan war
Andrey, Moscow,
Jayil - non-nuclear countries DO go to war (Iraq/Iran) and do invade smaller countries (Kuwait).
So what's with the whole anti-big country thing?
ALSO: We dismembered (now democratic) Serbia, so let's not be hypocrites about Georgia (who went into S. Ossetia first, in violation of agreement).
Bertie , London,
Two wrongs don't make a right but remember Russian history. Its all about aggression.
Even in this day and age. How they murdered their own business man to get control of the gas supply and renationalise the industry. How they murdered other Russians on British soil. They have no respect.
JAMES, Aberdeen, UK
Again, 25.08.2008г. (08/25/2008) between 14.00 and 18.00 Georgia has intruded in Ossetia. And it is normal, yes? Also what Russian peacemakers should do?
Alex, S-Petersburg, Russia
there are lots of ways to solve the situation, but only peace methods are true.
Stepan, Volgograd, Russia
All the comments show that the Cold War mentality is deeply entrenched in the majority of the western politicians and even ordinary people. The euphoria of the velvet revolutions is melting every day to a disappointment in the East of Europe. Where is the promissed peace and prosperity?!
Plamen Galabov, Dubai, UAE
Russia has every right to recognise indepedant states of ossestia and abkhazia as nato nations did same thing with serbia to get kosovo independant. There shouldnt be double standards. We in the west can see the encirclement of russia going on by america
chris mcloed, London, United Kingdom
All the western media does brainwashing the minds of people is uniting the Russian people. You don't believe in the massacre by Georgian troops, do you? Who could? Do you imagine we - 100 hundred nationalities of Russia - could live further with the thought that the Ossetians have been terminated?
Ilya, S-Petersburg, Russia
Osetia ana Abkhazia are de facto not anymore part of
Georgia.U.E and theUS should tell Mr.Jushenko of
Ukreine noy to behave like Mr.Saakashvili as he did
on July,7.
B.Benzi, Cesena, Italy
Hi 'jayil from london',
Russia and China invaders?! On the other side of the Globe?! At least Russia did not 'Sadamized' Mr. Saakshvili, nor they did 'Aliendized' him - remember Chile? Panama? Iraq? No need to continue counting...
Plamen Galabov, Dubai, UAE
And of course bysponsoring and recognising Kosovo's independence we've handed the Russians the precedent they need to get away with this. What's the betting the first act of these "independent" countries will be to apply to join the Russian Federation?
Roy, England, UK
There have been several votes already, and in each of them the people of S Osetia and Abkhazia expressed their desire to be independent of Gerogia and, as a long-term goal, become intergrated with Russia. Moreover majority of people in these regions voted personally by applying for Russian passports
Alex, Los Angeles, USA
Russia did warn the West about Kosovo precedent which took place against all international laws. You can't expect other unrecognized regions to be cool about it now - they'll use their chance. However the fact that Russia is okay with that breakaway doesn't automatically mean they're independent.
Elena, Moscow, Russia
Russians did not "suppress the Chechen people's "strive for independence", rather, they effectively dealt with a bunch of blood-thirsty jihadists who had about as much to do with true freedom as the current Georgia has to do with democracy, under Mr. Saakashvily, the American puppet.
Renat Ilyasov, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russian federation
It's a catch 22 situation. Nuclear armed countries will not go to war with each other and they're the one's who usually invade smaller weaker countries and cause problems around the world.
U.S in the Middle East, Russia in Europe and China in Asia.
jayil, london, uk
We, EU, must be where the conflict is. Instead, we go where the employer tells us to go. We need to ask Osetian people, not Russia, not US, and of course, not Georgia. At least once, can we have an independant opinion? Or we will keep licking? Isn't it enough, that our guys are dying worldwide?
Bruce, Maidstone, UK
Russia seems to be the World's most unwelcome guest. Like any gatecrasher they have nothing to offer and only take, becoming belligerent when asked to leave. What's happening over there now? Are they running out of vodka.
Joe Steel, Baku,
Why not have a vote in the two breakaway republics and let the people decide? The way I see it, after Georgia attacked S Ossetia with tanks and rockets, they lost their legitimacy to rule, just like Serbia did in Kosova. Trust the people, trust democracy, trust freedom.
Gordon Callan, Shanghai,
If they two breakaway countrues get to rule themselves whats the issue. stay with georgia they could be bombed again. go alone and georgia has one less problem! why should the US have any say in the boundarys of europe..
Tom Hurley, London, UK
Russia has no right to recognise independance of Ossetians and Abkhaziens as it was Russia who suppressed severly Chechen peoples strive for independance just several years ago. So, its claim of being an advocate of justice is nonsense. Russia just tries to conquer these territories like many others
Nino, Tbilisi, Georgia
Even if the the USA govt was inclined to recognise the breakaway states, it is simply unfeasible to hand Russia any such political coup.
The murky world of politics in action!
Jimmy, London,
And to call Medvedev a president it means great insult to Putin.
Joe Steel, Baku,
To Stephen Pain, Odense, Denmark
Are you serious, Russia for EU and NATO membership? Well, EU Maybe in the future like 50 years from now but NATO that's like treason for them.
But Russia doesn't need to be in the EU to be strong.
NATO was created to counter the Soviet Union and Russian aggression
Enzo, Brooklyn, New York
"Russia's parliament voted unanimously"
Of course it did. The soviets know no other way of "voting".
Zaza, Marneuli, Georgia
To call a regime of Saakashvili as democratic it means great insult of democracy.
Alexey, Moscow,
To call a regime of Saakashvili as democratic it means great insult of democracy.
Alexey, Moscow,
The greatest error in foreign affairs diplomacy, has been the failure to recognise Russia. Russia should have been given full NATO and EU membership. If they can be included in the
Eurovision Song Contest, own considerable shares and play a vital role in the EU economy -they should be members.
Stephen Pain, Odense, Denmark
EC with democracy experience can help to solve a problem of self-determination of these small republics. Ask common people, hold a referendum in republics. Become the guarantor of an exception of genocide of Ossetia from George or Russia (so bad Russia :-) It is good to be right when you do nothing!
Farida, Ekaterinburg, Russia
History repeats itself. Are we facing a thirties scenario? It is a definitely dangerous situation which must be controlled. The west cannot ,should not ,take the appeasement path. Firm lines must be drawn.Russia is an oil wealthy medium power , no more ,no less. The west forgets at it´s peril.
Michael S. Castleton-Bridger, montevideo, uruguay
The World will be better off with Russia keeping the gates of the Caspian "Energy Corridor", that letting it be grasped by American petroleum guzzlers. Oil reserves may earn us a little additional time to search for clean energy alternatives.
With the US at the gates we will have III World hell.
Zeev Reuteman, Oxford, U. K.
After losing to the Nazis in about two days and then having the Americans and the Brits come to liberate France, it's great to see the French once again being abolutely useless in the face of military aggression. Just when Europe & American should be united...
mark, Glasgow, UK
Same happened to Moldova, Transdnetria was taken away just the same way and now is unrecognised internationally, lawless peace of land. Divide and rule tactics seems to be working as ex-kgb agents are in kremlin's driving seat. Pathetic politics, addiction to influence, next is Ukraine on the list.
Dan, London, England