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Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Discontinuity of Russia's Policy: Kosovo and South Ossetia
Mirzet Mujezinovic
Saturday , 16 August 2008
Even if they do not have anything in common, Kosovo and South Ossetia
became closer in last two weeks that they were ever before. Kosovo
declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 that is recognized
by about 45 world countries. Russia, backing Serbia in this issue,
strongly opposes this independence arguing that such act creates
precedence for every separatist region all around the world,
especially mentioning those in Georgia; Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Almost half a year after the Kosovo's declaration of independence,
Georgia Army Forces suddenly attacked South Ossetia trying to
reestablish control over the breaking province. South Ossetia declared
independence from Georgia within collapse of Soviet Union, which was
not recognized by any state, including Russia. From that time until
present South Ossetia (together with Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh)
represent a so-called `frozen conflict'.
What was the real reason of suddenly Georgian military operation and
did Mikheil Saakashvili had Western (namely the US) support is not
very important, since small countries were and will always be an
element in the foreign policies of big ones. What is important is that
Saakashvili made a terrible political and strategic mistake by using a
military option for resolving a political problem. Russian reaction
against prospective NATO member presents her standpoint regarding
NATO's further enlargement toward Russia.
Russia's respond against Georgian military operation was incredible
fast and brutal. Bombing all Georgian military assets around whole
country forced Georgian Army to withdraw. First military operation
outside the Russian Federation completed with totally success. As
every winner, Russia dictates peace criteria. The most interesting
statement made by Russian officials was statement of Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev, who said that Russia supports the position of
Georgia's separatist South Ossetia (and Abkhazia) region in talks on
their future status. Vladimir Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister also
argued that no document or agreement that includes words as
`territorial integrity of Georgia' will be accepted by his
country. All this means that Russia strongly supports secession of
Georgia's breakaway provinces which is in serious contradiction with
Russian stand regarding Kosovo.
Such Russian standpoint puts Serbia in a difficult position, since
Serbia still counts on Russian support in UN Security Council. So, if
Russia raises her voice for South Ossetia's independence from Georgia,
Serbia will lose her most important ally and stay absolutely alone in
her fight against Kosovo's independence. On the other hand, Russian
encouraging of the independence declaration of the Georgian provinces
and their recognition will verify widely accepted opinion that Russian
support to Serbia on Kosovo issue was just a continuation of Putin's
`confrontation policy'. Mirzet Mujezinovic USAK/ISRO Balkan Studies
Desk
Discontinuity of Russia's Policy: Kosovo and South Ossetia
Mirzet Mujezinovic
Saturday , 16 August 2008
Even if they do not have anything in common, Kosovo and South Ossetia
became closer in last two weeks that they were ever before. Kosovo
declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 that is recognized
by about 45 world countries. Russia, backing Serbia in this issue,
strongly opposes this independence arguing that such act creates
precedence for every separatist region all around the world,
especially mentioning those in Georgia; Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Almost half a year after the Kosovo's declaration of independence,
Georgia Army Forces suddenly attacked South Ossetia trying to
reestablish control over the breaking province. South Ossetia declared
independence from Georgia within collapse of Soviet Union, which was
not recognized by any state, including Russia. From that time until
present South Ossetia (together with Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh)
represent a so-called `frozen conflict'.
What was the real reason of suddenly Georgian military operation and
did Mikheil Saakashvili had Western (namely the US) support is not
very important, since small countries were and will always be an
element in the foreign policies of big ones. What is important is that
Saakashvili made a terrible political and strategic mistake by using a
military option for resolving a political problem. Russian reaction
against prospective NATO member presents her standpoint regarding
NATO's further enlargement toward Russia.
Russia's respond against Georgian military operation was incredible
fast and brutal. Bombing all Georgian military assets around whole
country forced Georgian Army to withdraw. First military operation
outside the Russian Federation completed with totally success. As
every winner, Russia dictates peace criteria. The most interesting
statement made by Russian officials was statement of Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev, who said that Russia supports the position of
Georgia's separatist South Ossetia (and Abkhazia) region in talks on
their future status. Vladimir Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister also
argued that no document or agreement that includes words as
`territorial integrity of Georgia' will be accepted by his
country. All this means that Russia strongly supports secession of
Georgia's breakaway provinces which is in serious contradiction with
Russian stand regarding Kosovo.
Such Russian standpoint puts Serbia in a difficult position, since
Serbia still counts on Russian support in UN Security Council. So, if
Russia raises her voice for South Ossetia's independence from Georgia,
Serbia will lose her most important ally and stay absolutely alone in
her fight against Kosovo's independence. On the other hand, Russian
encouraging of the independence declaration of the Georgian provinces
and their recognition will verify widely accepted opinion that Russian
support to Serbia on Kosovo issue was just a continuation of Putin's
`confrontation policy'. Mirzet Mujezinovic USAK/ISRO Balkan Studies
Desk