Russia 'warns Georgia' on Kosovo

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

Russia has warned it will change its policy towards breakaway regions in Georgia if the West recognises Kosovo's independence, reports say.

Moscow has repeatedly hinted it could respond to an independent Kosovo by recognising South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

A foreign ministry statement said Moscow would "adjust its line" on the regions, but did not say how.

Kosovo may declare independence this weekend, and the US and most EU states are expected to recognise it quickly.


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7246505.stm

[DRoseDARs]

1. So Russia is threatening to recognize self-rule ... for recognizing self-rule?

Christ, is it ever going to be possible for Russia to NOT whine about something? Every fucking time they're in the news, they're whining about one thing or another. Shut the fuck up already. :eyes:

[AlertLurker]

2. This could actually turn out to be rather dire.

Georgia is one of the few Secular Democracies in the region and it is situated in an incredibly strategic position: It sits at the juncture of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, with an arm in the Black Sea and two feet on top of Azerbaijan (sic) and Turkey.

South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence will SERIOUSLY test Saakashvili, who has been trying to keep these regions from breaking away since he took power in 2003...and Georgia is, after all, really only a quasi-federation of autonomous regions. If South Ossetia and Abkhazia (actually, Abkhazia is already pretty much already GONE) go, look for Adjara, Kverno Karti and Khaketi (sic) to perhaps attempt to do likewise. That would basically surround the entire Republic and cause a HUGE conflict which has the potential to spread throughout the entire Caucasus...

Funfunfun...

[DRoseDARs]

3. Well then, I only partially take back what I said. Russia might actually have a point this time...

...unlike that stupid "The Arctic belongs to Mother Russia because of the sea shelf" non-sense. Fuck, by their reasoning, Gambia has legal claim to Russia's entire oceanic coastline.

Dumbdumbdumb... ;)

[reorg]

4. So "self rule" is the new American rationale for interventionism? LOL!

But god forbid anybody would try and break away from the US sphere of influence or get rid of their oil companies, LOL!

What is it about the Helsinki Accords that you don't seem to get?

* I. Sovereign equality, respect for the rights inherent in sovereignty
* II. Refraining from the threat or use of force
* III. Inviolability of frontiers
* IV. Territorial integrity of States
* V. Peaceful settlement of disputes
* VI. Non-intervention in internal affairs
* VII. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief
* VIII. Equal rights and self-determination of peoples
* IX. Co-operation among States
* X. Fulfillment in good faith of obligations under international law

[DRoseDARs]

5. Not sure where you got the idea I wouldn't approve of self-rule, given my chiding Russia for...

...oh nevermind. Went right over your head like it went over Russia's. The irony is rich with these two.

With Russia, everytime they get into the news, they seem to be stomping their feet and pouting like a child. They hate the fact that they aren't a superpower anymore (it'll be years before they get that back and they are trying, I'll give them that) but they keep acting like they still are a superpower. Their economy is a trainwreck, their military is in shambles, and their "democracy" isn't one. They need to sort these things out before trying to throw their weight around.

With you, you just misread my meaning. :P

[provis99]

6. hmm, what you just said about Russia could be applied to Bush's America

"their economy is a trainwreck, their military is in shambles, and their "democracy" isn't one". You're right on Russia, but unfortunately Bush's America looks less like old America and more like new Russia.

[hardtravelin]

8. Holy Crap! Did you just hit the nail on the head!

Do you mind if I steal that quote?

[IsItJustMe]

7. It's a chess game. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. It's also Russia's back yard.