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RUSSIA'S ALLIES PLAYED IT SAFE
by Arkadiy Dubnov
RusData Dialine - Russian Press Digest
September 8, 2008 Monday
CSTO condemned Georgia but didn't back breakaway republic's
independence
Russia secured measured backing Friday from six other former Soviet
nations for its war in Georgia. Members of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization stopped short, however, of following Russia's
example in recognizing the independence of Georgia's two breakaway
regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
President Dmitry Medvedev said he and other leaders of nations that
are members of the security pact signed a declaration Friday condemning
Georgia's attack aimed at regaining control of its breakaway province
of South Ossetia.
The declaration said members of the group are "deeply concerned about
an attempt by Georgia to solve the conflict in South Ossetia by force,
which has led to numerous casualties among civilian population and
peacekeepers and entailed grave humanitarian consequences."
The declaration also supported an "active role of Russia in helping
peace and security in the region" and spoke about the need to
"ensure firm security for South Ossetia and Abkhazia." The statement
represented a victory for the Kremlin, which has struggled to expand
its base of support.
Medvedev put a positive gloss on the failure of the alliance members to
recognize the independence of the two regions. "As for the independence
issue, it is quite natural that all of our Collective Security Treaty
Organization partners will separately formulate their position on
this matter ... naturally, being guided by their national interests
while doing so," Medvedev said at a news conference. "Russia believes
this is absolutely right."
The Russian-led security group links Russia with Armenia, Belarus and
four Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan. The support from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which have
been courted by the West, is particularly important for Russia. Only
a few countries, including Cuba and Venezuela, had previously backed
Russia's action, and only Nicaragua has followed Russia's lead in
recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.
by Arkadiy Dubnov
RusData Dialine - Russian Press Digest
September 8, 2008 Monday
CSTO condemned Georgia but didn't back breakaway republic's
independence
Russia secured measured backing Friday from six other former Soviet
nations for its war in Georgia. Members of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization stopped short, however, of following Russia's
example in recognizing the independence of Georgia's two breakaway
regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
President Dmitry Medvedev said he and other leaders of nations that
are members of the security pact signed a declaration Friday condemning
Georgia's attack aimed at regaining control of its breakaway province
of South Ossetia.
The declaration said members of the group are "deeply concerned about
an attempt by Georgia to solve the conflict in South Ossetia by force,
which has led to numerous casualties among civilian population and
peacekeepers and entailed grave humanitarian consequences."
The declaration also supported an "active role of Russia in helping
peace and security in the region" and spoke about the need to
"ensure firm security for South Ossetia and Abkhazia." The statement
represented a victory for the Kremlin, which has struggled to expand
its base of support.
Medvedev put a positive gloss on the failure of the alliance members to
recognize the independence of the two regions. "As for the independence
issue, it is quite natural that all of our Collective Security Treaty
Organization partners will separately formulate their position on
this matter ... naturally, being guided by their national interests
while doing so," Medvedev said at a news conference. "Russia believes
this is absolutely right."
The Russian-led security group links Russia with Armenia, Belarus and
four Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan. The support from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which have
been courted by the West, is particularly important for Russia. Only
a few countries, including Cuba and Venezuela, had previously backed
Russia's action, and only Nicaragua has followed Russia's lead in
recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.