The Devil Went Down to Georgia

TBILISI (AFP) — Georgia on Thursday launched a diplomatic offensive against Russian moves to build closer ties with two rebel regions, accusing Moscow of breaching Georgia's sovereignty and calling for a UN Security Council emergency session.

The former Soviet republic's pro-Western president, Mikheil Saakashvili, called for "serious actions" from the international community and sent senior ministers to the US and Europe to press Georgia's case.

"We demand that Russia stop all actions which breach Georgia's sovereignty," Saakashvili told ministers at a cabinet meeting, his press office said.

On Wednesday, Russia said it would intensify cooperation with the two pro-Moscow breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in trade, culture and other areas and provide "complete protection" to Russians living there.

Saakashvili called on the international community to react, saying "we need serious actions, not only words from our partners in the next days and weeks."

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Georgia is not going to given in to Russia's attempts to breach its sovereignty. The diplomatic tactics of Russia seem to be failing. This is making Georgia very unhappy and they are getting the UN envolved.

Russia Vows Steps if Georgia and Ukraine Join NATO

MOSCOW: Russia will take military and other steps along its borders if ex-Soviet Ukraine and Georgia join NATO, Russian news agencies quoted the armed forces' chief of staff as saying on Friday.

"Russia will take steps aimed at ensuring its interests along its borders," the agencies quoted General Yuri Baluyevsky as saying. "These will not only be military steps, but also steps of a different nature," he said, without giving details.

Russia is opposed to NATO plans to grant membership to ex-Soviet Ukraine and Georgia, saying such a move would pose a direct threat to its security and endanger the fragile balance of forces in Europe.

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Russia is still trying to keep and exert the power they use to have over former Soviet Union countries. The not-so-hidden aggression and threats, both military and other, made by Russia shows that are strongly opposed to any surrounding nations joining NATO.

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Nato Warned Over Georgian Regions

Dmitry Rogozin

"Two regions of Georgia are likely to secede if Nato seeks closer ties with the former Soviet state, Russia's ambassador to the alliance says.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia already run their own affairs, but Dmitry Rogozin said moves by the Tbilisi government to join Nato could lead to a final split.

His comments come ahead of a Nato summit which will consider beginning the membership process for Georgia.

Moscow is strongly opposed to neighbour Georgia joining the Western alliance.

"Abkhazia and South Ossetia do not intend to join Nato. They have a completely different view," Mr Rogozin told Reuters new agency."

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This resembles Russia’s disagreement with the Ukraine when they wanted to join NATO. Russia wants to keep a tight grip and control of its former Soviet States. The fact that some of Georgia’s regions would secede if Georgia joined NATO is also a concern. Hopefully everything can be resolved peacefully.

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