Crazy Jamie
August 19th, 2008, 07:38 AM
Divided they stand: Nato searches for a strategy to confront Russia
The Russian Army continued to occupy Georgia in defiance of the West yesterday as Nato leaders gathered to hammer out a united response to the new military threat from Moscow.
There was no sign of a withdrawal from Georgian soil despite a declaration from Moscow that a pullout had begun. The Georgian Government in Tbilisi countered that Russian forces were still trying to take more territory.
Nato foreign ministers will meet in Brussels today to try to overcome deep-seated divisions on the best way to confront the first Russian invasion of a neighbour since the end of the Cold War. The United States, Britain and many Eastern European states are pressing for a tough stance but France, Germany and others are reluctant to alienate Moscow.
Dmitri Medvedev, the Russian President, told forces veterans in the city of Kursk, the scene of one of the decisive battles of the Second World War, that Russia would deliver a “crushing response” to any attack on its citizens. A Nato spokeswoman said that its 26 foreign ministers would “reiterate full support for the territorial integrity of Georgia” and its eventual membership of the alliance. A package of support measures could include aid to rebuild Georgia's military infrastructure, which Tbilisi says has been wrecked by Russian forces.
Dmitri Rogozin, Russia's Ambassador to Nato, warned the alliance that its relationship with Moscow would suffer if the foreign ministers expressed support for Georgia. Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister, also disclosed that Russia was “not inclined to accept” a team of 100 European observers to monitor the ceasefire in Georgia.
The Times witnessed Russian forces continuing to man checkpoints and defensive positions 40km (25 miles) from Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, yesterday. Troops controlled the road to the city of Gori, which remained under Russian control.
Hundreds of Georgian soldiers sat in pick-up trucks about five miles from the first Russian checkpoint, waiting to reclaim control of Gori. After some hours, however, they retreated towards Tbilisi when it became clear that the Russians were not leaving.
Russian troops blocked access to Gori, although humanitarian aid was allowed in, and a series of explosions could be heard in the city. Several blasts were also heard in the town of Senaki, where Russian troops also barred reporters from entering.
Georgia's Foreign Ministry said that there was “not even a sign” of a Russian withdrawal, adding that police had deterred a Russian advance into the town of Sachkere and the spa resort of Borjomi in central Georgia. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4561222.ece?&EMC-Bltn=QLZBF9
I must admit that I haven't read as much on this situation as I could have. As such I'm not really familiar with the intricacies behind the invasion. I know the basics, but need to delve a little deeper to be able to properly comment.
The Russian Army continued to occupy Georgia in defiance of the West yesterday as Nato leaders gathered to hammer out a united response to the new military threat from Moscow.
There was no sign of a withdrawal from Georgian soil despite a declaration from Moscow that a pullout had begun. The Georgian Government in Tbilisi countered that Russian forces were still trying to take more territory.
Nato foreign ministers will meet in Brussels today to try to overcome deep-seated divisions on the best way to confront the first Russian invasion of a neighbour since the end of the Cold War. The United States, Britain and many Eastern European states are pressing for a tough stance but France, Germany and others are reluctant to alienate Moscow.
Dmitri Medvedev, the Russian President, told forces veterans in the city of Kursk, the scene of one of the decisive battles of the Second World War, that Russia would deliver a “crushing response” to any attack on its citizens. A Nato spokeswoman said that its 26 foreign ministers would “reiterate full support for the territorial integrity of Georgia” and its eventual membership of the alliance. A package of support measures could include aid to rebuild Georgia's military infrastructure, which Tbilisi says has been wrecked by Russian forces.
Dmitri Rogozin, Russia's Ambassador to Nato, warned the alliance that its relationship with Moscow would suffer if the foreign ministers expressed support for Georgia. Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister, also disclosed that Russia was “not inclined to accept” a team of 100 European observers to monitor the ceasefire in Georgia.
The Times witnessed Russian forces continuing to man checkpoints and defensive positions 40km (25 miles) from Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, yesterday. Troops controlled the road to the city of Gori, which remained under Russian control.
Hundreds of Georgian soldiers sat in pick-up trucks about five miles from the first Russian checkpoint, waiting to reclaim control of Gori. After some hours, however, they retreated towards Tbilisi when it became clear that the Russians were not leaving.
Russian troops blocked access to Gori, although humanitarian aid was allowed in, and a series of explosions could be heard in the city. Several blasts were also heard in the town of Senaki, where Russian troops also barred reporters from entering.
Georgia's Foreign Ministry said that there was “not even a sign” of a Russian withdrawal, adding that police had deterred a Russian advance into the town of Sachkere and the spa resort of Borjomi in central Georgia. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4561222.ece?&EMC-Bltn=QLZBF9
I must admit that I haven't read as much on this situation as I could have. As such I'm not really familiar with the intricacies behind the invasion. I know the basics, but need to delve a little deeper to be able to properly comment.