W/E: Moscow Prepared For ‘A Caucasus Anschluss’ But Probably Won’t Carry It...
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posted by FerrasB on September, 2008 as Imperialism
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Window on Eurasia: Moscow Prepared for ‘a Caucasus Anschluss’ But Probably Won’t Carry It Through Paul Goble Vienna, September 17 – Moscow has a law on the books that would allow it to include South Ossetia in the Russian Federation, but such an action, given the lack of international recognition of South Ossetia, would constitute a unilateral act of annexation, an act of aggression, and a threat to Russia’s interests with its other neighbors and at home. In an article entitled “A Caucasus Anschluss” that appeared this week on the Fontanka.ru portal, legal affairs analyst Anton Odynets describes both the legal arrangements Vladimir Putin put in place in 2001 for absorbing another country into the Russian Federation and the history of this question since that time (www.fontanka.ru/2008/09/15/075/). According to the Federal Constitutional Law adopted in 2001, Odynets writes, “the acceptance of a foreign state or part of it as a new ... >> full
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Caucasian Knot: Medvedev Signs Draft Treaties With Abkhazia And South Ossetia
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posted by FerrasB on as Imperialism
CAUCASIAN KNOT / NEWS 16/9/2008 Medvedev signs draft treaties with Abkhazia and South Ossetia On September 15, President of Russia Dmitri Medvedev signed his statements about conclusion of treaties on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The press service of the Kremlin reports that these two statements approve the draft treaties, which will be signed at the top level. In his turn, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that any international debates on the future of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, held without representatives of these republics are senseless. "Until now we have no consent of the USA to grant visas to Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's officials, enabling them to arrive and convey their viewpoints to the UN Security Council," said Mr Lavrov and added that he also saw no readiness among the OSCE members to listen to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the ITAR-TASS reports. Sergey Lavrov also treated as cynical the Georgia's appeal ... >> full
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BBC NEWS: Russian Gunboat Diplomacy In Crimea?
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posted by FerrasB on as Imperialism
Russian gunboat diplomacy in Crimea? The row over the future of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea could become a flashpoint in the already strained relations between Kiev and Moscow, says the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, as he goes aboard the Russian flag ship in Sevastopol. There is a very serious question being posed to the West in the wake of the Georgia conflict. The Moskva missile cruiser The Moskva cruiser took part in last month's blockade of Georgian ports In the aftermath of Russia's invasion, should Nato move ahead more rapidly with plans to bring both Georgia and Ukraine inside its protective fence? The argument being made by many Western commentators and politicians is that it should. But sitting in Moscow one cannot help wondering whether those calling for Nato to expand further and faster really understand the complexity and potential dangers involved. This week I went to Sevastopol on the Black Sea coast of Crimea, Ukraine. Sevastopol ... >> full
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posted by FerrasB on as Imperialism
Friday, September 19, 2008 Window on Eurasia: Abkhazia, South Ossetia Presenting Moscow with Unexpected Problems Paul Goble Vienna, September 19 – Moscow’s unilateral recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia has shaken Russia’s ties to the United States and other Western countries and raised new questions about its relationship to the non-Russian republics and even some predominantly Russian regions inside the Russian Federation. But the last week has provided evidence that each of these breakaway republics is presenting Moscow with some problems that no one in the Russian government appears to have expected but ones that some Russian commentators are now beginning to discuss more or less openly. On the one hand, South Ossetia’s Eduard Kokoity can’t seem to remain on message at least from Moscow’s point of view concerning what the final status of his republic should be. And on the other, Abkhazia’s Sergey Bagapsh came to power as head of an “orange” revolution Moscow ... >> full
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Window On Eurasia: Moscow Prepares To Challenge The West On Arctic Delimitation
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posted by FerrasB on as Imperialism
Thursday, September 18, 2008 Window on Eurasia: Moscow Prepares to Challenge the West on Arctic Delimitation Paul Goble Vienna, September 18 – President Dmitry Medvedev told the Russian Security Council yesterday that Russia must “in the nearest future” define the border of Russia’s claims to the seabed of the Arctic Ocean, an action that will present a serious challenge to the other Arctic powers, including the United States. “Our first and fundamental task,” Medvedev said, “is to convert the Arctic into a resource base for the Russia of the 21st century” by demanding that the international community recognize Moscow’s claims to an exclusion zone based on the extent of the continental shelf extending from Russia proper (www.annews.ru/news/detail.php?ID=167625). According to the Russian president, Russia must guarantee its “energy security” by ensuring that it has unchallenged access to oil and gas reserves under the Arctic Ocean and its role as a bridge between Europe and Asia by ... >> full
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