Main focus of Tuesday, August 26, 2008

A new Russian gambit

Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, has recognised the breakaway Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Only yesterday, the Russian parliament proclamed its unanimous support for the independence of the secessionist regions. What does this new gambit portend for the Caucasus crisis and for Europe?

The Guardian - United Kingdom

The recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia could have internal implications for Russia, comments The Guardian in its leading article: "Whatever precedent the west may have set by recognising Kosovo, Georgia's breakaway states are only a mountain range away from Russia's own separatist troublespots. ... If Abkhazia or South Ossetia are nation states, then why not Chechnya? ... More important than the parliamentary vote is Mr Medvedev's statement yesterday that breaking off all relations with NATO would be no great loss for Russia. ... Only sustained international pressure might persuade Russia to pull back to the positions it occupied pre-August 7, when Georgian forces attacked South Ossetia. That can only now come from France and Germany, the countries that resisted US pressure to offer Georgia NATO membership." (26/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Russia, » Georgian Republic

Rzeczpospolita - Poland

The daily Rzeczpospolita condemns the vote of the Russian parliament, describing it as an imperial gesture. "An official separation of Abkhazia and Ossetia would be a further humiliation for [Georgian] President Michail Saakashvili, who is a passionate advocate of Georgia's independence and whom Moscow wants to remove from power and replace with a politician like his predecessor Eduard Shevardnadze - one who depends on Russia. This is another step towards rebuilding the empire and at the same time blocking alternative fuel sources for Europe that flow from the Caspian Sea through Georgia to the West. Despite Moscow's rebellious statements, the West - including the EU - can still thwart Russia's plans, but only if it pulls itself together and recognises the danger. Poland can assume a key role if foreign policy makes way for reasons of state and the president and prime minister are able to reach an agreement on this." (26/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Russia, » Georgian Republic
All available articles from » Bronislaw Wildstein

Frankfurter Rundschau - Germany

The Frankfurter Rundschau puts a share of the blame for the Russian parliament's support for the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia firmly on the West: "Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia and elected their own governments long ago. Nevertheless the borders of Georgia from which the territories are now being surgically removed were considered binding. However France's President Nicolas Sarkozy failed to safeguard them during his recent trip. What he did not have with him was a clause on the integrity of the Georgian state. To all intents and purposes that gave Moscow carte blanche to go ahead and annex a foreign country - a truly outrageous move. If it were not for the precedent in Kosovo, Russia would now have to be brandmarked as singularly imperialistic." (26/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Russia, » Europe, » U.S., » Georgian Republic
All available articles from » Karl Grobe

Gândul - Romania

Gândul newspaper reflects on the future of the two secessionist provinces: "The outcome of the vote in both Russian chambers of parliament was just like in Soviet times: perfect unanimity, both in the Federation Council and in the Duma. It is indeed telling that even the lifeless Russian opposition believes that recognising the republics is an important step for the Russian federation. The vote is not binding, and Prime Minister Putin continues to have a free hand. But it does give Russia's Prime Minister-President what he needs: a new 'currency' to negotiate with the West and the 'right' granted by the Russian legislature to station weapons and soldiers in the secessionist provinces. ... It is still unclear what the future holds for the two protected regions - the economic reserve of the Russian motherland. For now it looks as if they will become havens for weapons and illegal trade, far from NATO's watchful eye. Particularly worrying is that this is all taking place in the North Caucasus, a key region for Europe's energy security." (26/08/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Energy, » Russia, » Asia, » Romania
All available articles from » Eliza Francu

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