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SEPTEMBER 17, 2008, 12:51 P.M. ET
Russia Raps NATO's Georgia Visit
Associated Press
more in World »
MOSCOW -- Russia issued an unusually harsh condemnation Wednesday
of the NATO chief's visit to Georgia, saying it showed a Cold War
mentality and would further destabilize the region.
of the NATO chief's visit to Georgia, saying it showed a Cold War
mentality and would further destabilize the region.
NATO's support for Georgia after last month's war with Russia last
month can only be seen as "encouraging Tbilisi to engage in new
reckless ventures," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
month can only be seen as "encouraging Tbilisi to engage in new
reckless ventures," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and envoys from all
26 member countries were in Georgia this week. The former Soviet
republic is eager to join the Western military alliance, a step Russia
strongly opposes.
26 member countries were in Georgia this week. The former Soviet
republic is eager to join the Western military alliance, a step Russia
strongly opposes.
On Tuesday, the NATO delegation visited the central Georgian city of Gori, which was occupied by Russian troops during the war.
The Foreign Ministry said the visit to Gori sent an obvious
anti-Russian message. The NATO chief would have gotten a more objective
picture by visiting the capital of South Ossetia, the breakaway region
at the heart of the conflict, the ministry said.
anti-Russian message. The NATO chief would have gotten a more objective
picture by visiting the capital of South Ossetia, the breakaway region
at the heart of the conflict, the ministry said.
By visiting Tskhinvali, Mr. de Hoop Scheffer "could have seen the
tragic consequences of the nighttime shelling of civilians by the
Georgian army."
tragic consequences of the nighttime shelling of civilians by the
Georgian army."
Tskhinvali came under heavy shelling from Georgia at the start of
the war. Russia said it was forced to respond militarily to defend
Russian citizens and peacekeepers in South Ossetia.
the war. Russia said it was forced to respond militarily to defend
Russian citizens and peacekeepers in South Ossetia.
Decisions made during Mr. de Hoop Scheffer's visit "confirmed that
NATO has again shown Cold War reflexes in line with the principle of
friend and foe," the ministry said.
NATO has again shown Cold War reflexes in line with the principle of
friend and foe," the ministry said.
In a strong message of support for Georgia, Mr. de Hoop Scheffer said Tuesday that its "road to NATO is still wide open."
"No other country will have a veto over that process, nor will we
allow our strong ties to Georgia to be broken by outside military
intervention and pressure," he said. "Georgia has a rightful place in
this Europe."
allow our strong ties to Georgia to be broken by outside military
intervention and pressure," he said. "Georgia has a rightful place in
this Europe."
Russia Signs New Treaties
Also Wednesday, Russia signed new treaties of friendship and
cooperation with South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- the latest effort by
Moscow to deepen its economic and political ties following last month's
war.
cooperation with South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- the latest effort by
Moscow to deepen its economic and political ties following last month's
war.
Moscow has already recognized the two regions as independent nations. Nicaragua is the other country that has recognized them.
At an elaborate signing ceremony at the Kremlin, Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev said Russia's key task would be guaranteeing the two
regions' security.
Dmitry Medvedev said Russia's key task would be guaranteeing the two
regions' security.
"A repeat of aggression from the Georgians -- where revanchist
attitudes unfortunately are not being hidden and the militarization of
the country is continuing -- would bring catastrophe to the region on a
massive scale, Mr. Medvedev said.
attitudes unfortunately are not being hidden and the militarization of
the country is continuing -- would bring catastrophe to the region on a
massive scale, Mr. Medvedev said.
"We will not allow new military adventurism. No one should have any illusions about this," he said.
A separate treaty on military cooperation and authorizing Russian
bases to be built in the regions will be signed at another time.
bases to be built in the regions will be signed at another time.
Copyright © 2008 Associated Press
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