Russia blamed for monitor pullout

[Fëanor]

Russia blamed for monitor pullout


[IMG=Right]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45321000/jpg/_45321078_006639725-2.jpg[/IMG]The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe says it will close its mission in Georgia early in 2009 because of Russian opposition.

Delegates said Moscow refused to back down during a row over the status of the breakaway regions of Georgia.

Russia insists that the disputed regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be recognised as independent.

US Ambassador Julie Finley described Russia's resistance to reaching an agreement as "appalling".

"There is only one party responsible for what has happened and what is about to happen with the shutting down of that mission - it is the Russian Federation," she said.

The US and its European allies in the 56-nation grouping have not recognised South Ossetia as independent.

Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Giga Bokeria said Russia was challenging not only his country's sovereignty and independence but also international law and institutions.

"It's basically a statement that the Soviet Union is back," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.

'Impossible gap'
The conflict between Russia and Georgia began on 7 August.

Georgia tried to retake its breakaway region of South Ossetia by force after a series of lower-level clashes with Russian-backed rebels.

Russia launched a counter-attack and the Georgian troops were ejected from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia days later.[IMG=Right]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45214000/gif/_45214615_georgia_rus_226.gif[/IMG]

Russian forces remain in the two regions. The OSCE - which played a key role in brokering a ceasefire between both sides in August - has worked in Georgia since 1992. Both Russia and Georgia are members of the OSCE.

The observer mission's mandate officially ends on 31 December and the OSCE had been seeking a three-month extension.

Ambassador Antti Turunen, of Finland - the current head of the OSCE - said the two countries were too much at odds to reach an agreement by the end of the year so the organisation had no choice but to pull out.

"We had one side defending the territorial integrity of Georgia and the other the 'independence' of South Ossetia. The sides are so far apart it made no sense trying to bridge the gap before 31 December," he said.

The withdrawal of the estimated 200 OSCE personnel is expected to take several months.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, however, some two dozen military monitors will remain until mid February.

BBC Source

 

[Godwynn]

Send in the Fins!

 

[Simple Simon]

is anyone surprised that Mother Russia wants her colonies back Russia is fighting valiantly to protect the oppressed worldwide?

 

[Winner]

So much for dealing with Russia. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Forgive me, but I told'ya

 

[plarq]

Does Russia still occupy any territory of Georgia proper? If not, what the heck. Abhazia and South Ossetia want Russia, and they deserve Russia.

 

[Nylan]

I'm sick of the "Soviet Union is back!" hype. Assuming anything is "back", its just the same old Imperialist Russia that has been around for much longer than the hammer and sickle.

 

[woody60707]

Ahh yes, because this worked so well in the past for the US... (or Russia lol)

 

[Gelion]

Girl one to girls two and three:
You do not like my friends! I am not playing with you!
*runs off and cries*

I've summarized the article for you. If the mission is there to make peace - stay and make peace. If you are after political goals and want to whine about it, then yeah withdrawal makes a lot of sense.

 

[Winner]

I'm sick of the "Soviet Union is back!" hype. Assuming anything is "back", its just the same old Imperialist Russia that has been around for much longer than the hammer and sickle.

Who's saying that the USSR is back? I've never heard that.

It's just the same old Imperial Russia - uh, that's supposed to be OK?

 

[Nylan]

Who's saying that the USSR is back? I've never heard that.

Then you didn't read the article.

It's just the same old Imperial Russia - uh, that's supposed to be OK?

Of course its not okay. Did I suggest otherwise?

 

[Winner]

Then you didn't read the article.

I mean, who in the West is saying that?

Of course its not okay. Did I suggest otherwise?

No, but it looked that way. People believe that with the end of Communism in Russia, the old expansionism and imperialism has been removed from Russian foreign policy, but that's absolutely not true.

 

[plarq]

I mean, who in the West is saying that?



No, but it looked that way. People believe that with the end of Communism in Russia, the old expansionism and imperialism has been removed from Russian foreign policy, but that's absolutely not true.

People are just complaining that USSR subsided the ethnic minority, gave them autonomic titles etc., otherwise Russia will not face so much trouble.

 

[Riffraff]

Does Russia still occupy any territory of Georgia proper? If not, what the heck. Abhazia and South Ossetia want Russia, and they deserve Russia.

My thoughts.

 

[Simple Simon]

I'm sick of the "Soviet Union is back!" hype. Assuming anything is "back", its just the same old Imperialist Russia that has been around for much longer than the hammer and sickle.

who says 'USSR/SU is back'?


I, for one, said:

is anyone surprised that Mother Russia wants her colonies back Russia is fighting valiantly to protect the oppressed worldwide?

But then, I have to admit that the Soviet anthem rocked a lot more, so I'd take them over Imperial Russia any day

 

[Pannonius]

"Russia blamed for monitor pullout"... what a nice title...

 

[Nylan]

I mean, who in the West is saying that?

Most of the people who are saying Obama=Socialism, for starters

No, but it looked that way. People believe that with the end of Communism in Russia, the old expansionism and imperialism has been removed from Russian foreign policy, but that's absolutely not true.

Yeah, exactly my point. Russia has been imperialist for a long, long time. People should not be surprised when they do the things they do.