Russia refuses to lift Georgia ban

TVNZ.co.NZ ^ | October 4, 2006

[bd476]

TV NZ.co New Zealand

Russia refuses to lift Georgia ban

Tbilisi, capital city of Georgia

Oct 4, 2006

Russia has rejected US and EU calls to lift economic sanctions on Georgia, saying it had cut transport links to curb a dangerous military build-up by its pro-Western neighbour.

In unusually strident remarks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lashed out at the United States. US support for Georgia had "stimulated" Tbilisi into taking unfriendly steps against Russia, he said.

Russia cut rail, air and postal links with the former Soviet republic in response to the arrest of four Russian soldiers on spying charges. Tbilisi released the four on Monday in what it termed a goodwill gesture.

But Moscow made clear the spying row was just part of what it sees as a deeper dispute with Georgia, which has irked Moscow by aggressively pursuing membership of Nato and the European Union and pulling out of Russia's orbit.

Asked at a Moscow news conference if the sanctions might soon be lifted, Lavrov said: "Not for the time being."

Lavrov said Georgia was channelling funds from organised crime in Russia into a slush fund to buy weapons in a massive military build-up directed at the Georgian breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both backed by Moscow.

"Millions of dollars are passing from Russia to Georgia at a time when Georgia is engaged in a huge military build-up," he said. "We can only draw one conclusion: they are preparing very actively to solve militarily the conflicts on their territory."

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has vowed to restore central control over the breakaway regions but Tbilisi has ruled out military action against them.

Georgia says it is boosting military spending to reverse years of neglect and bring its forces up to Nato standards.

Lavrov spoke to foreign journalists amid growing Western unease over Moscow's decision to go ahead with the sanctions even after Tbilisi released the Russian soldiers.

"We do hope that Russia very, very soon lifts these sanctions because sanctions do not, particularly in this case, lead anywhere," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner told Reuters in an interview in Tbilisi.

In Washington, US State Department spokesman Tom Casey urged Russia to drop its blockade against Georgia and appealed to Moscow to work with Tbilisi "in a positive spirit".

In a new sign of the tensions, Georgia urged Russia to stop nearby naval exercises, calling them a threat to regional peace and a violation of the United Nations charter.

Russia's state-run gas monopoly Gazprom promised to maintain supplies of gas to Georgia. But flights and trains from Moscow to Tbilisi were cancelled as the transport ban began to bite.

Georgian Economic Development Minister Irakly Chogovadze told Reuters the sanctions would hit the economy but added: "We will survive."

Ratings agency Standard and Poor's, which gave Georgia's debt an initial long-term sovereign credit rating of B+ in December, said the deteriorating relations with Russia might threaten the positive outlook on its credit ratings.

Georgians were alarmed by moves in Russia's parliament to give ministers the power to halt money transfers to Georgia.

Almost a sixth of Georgia's national income comes from cash sent home by relatives working in Russia, who number about one million, according to central bank estimates.

"I am very concerned - me and my family depend on the money that comes from Russia," said Georgi, 35, who was receiving a $200 wire transfer from his parents in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don at a bank branch in central Tbilisi.

But it was unclear how the Russian measure would be enforced, or if it would materialise at all.

Georgian officials said if a ban was imposed, money transfers could be re-routed through third countries.

Russia's parliament had said initially the measure would be put to a vote on Wednesday. But the deputy in charge of drafting the proposal said on Tuesday it was being examined by legal experts and he could not give a date for a vote.

At his news conference, Lavrov noted Georgia arrested the Russian soldiers soon after Saakashvili visited Washington.

"I am not saying it was done on orders from somebody outside Georgia. But it certainly stimulated Georgia to act as it did."

Lavrov also questioned whether Saakashvili - swept to power in a 2003 "Rose Revolution" - was a legitimate president.

Officials close to Saakashvili believe the Kremlin's ultimate goal is "regime change" in Georgia. Russia denies this.

[bd476]

Ping!

[MarMema]

That's just too sad for the Russian people. I saw them visiting while at Bodbe. They are now restricted from visiting the lovely Georgian churches and monasteries.

Russia is upset that America has taken in the Georgians and is caring for them and supporting them.

How ugly and childish the Russians are in their behavior. The Georgian people are used to harsh lives and sacrifices, and I know they will overcome this restriction.
May President Bush stand by them as he promised to.

[MarMema]

"The NATO Parliamentary Assembly backs the aspiration of Georgia to join the North Atlantic Alliance. "The aspiration of Georgia to become a NATO member state should be encouraged and backed," the October 3 statement of the NATO PA reads, according to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. The document has been drafted in preparation for the NATO summit in Riga on November 28-29. "The issue of NATO membership should be kept open to those candidates who demonstrate their adherence to the values of the Alliance and are recognized by the Alliance member states as ready for acceptance."

From The Messenger, Georgian online news. Amazingly timely. A message indeed, to Russia, I believe.

Won't be long now...hang in there Georgians!!

[MarMema]

FRIST INTRODUCES NATO CONSOLIDATION ACT OF 2006 Floor Statement -- Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

September 29th, 2006 - For more than 50 years, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has served as a force for stability, security, and peace in Europe. It remains the foundation of security on the Continent and the cornerstone of U.S. engagement in Europe. Today it is the key institution helping to secure a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace.

Not only is it the most successful alliance in history, but NATO has also contributed to the democratic transition of our former adversaries in Central and Eastern Europe by fostering the development of new, strong, and democratic allies capable of contributing to our common security goals. NATO’s enlargement over the past decade has strengthened the strongest alliance in history and helped spread democracy and liberty. For this reason, it is essential that we keep the door to NATO accession open for others.

Today, I’m proud to introduce the NATO Freedom Consolidation Act of 2006, along with Senators Lugar, Biden, Smith and McCain. This legislation expresses the Senate’s support for the accession of Albania, Croatia, Georgia, and Macedonia to NATO.

I welcome the progress made by these countries in implementing the political, economic, and military reforms needed to qualify for NATO membership. Each of these countries has made substantive contributions to peace and stability in the region and has expressed a desire for closer affiliation with this institution.

Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have already made tremendous strides in implementing their National Programs under NATO’s Membership Action Plan. The MAP remains the key vehicle for NATO to review and assess the readiness of each aspirant for full membership. I am confident that these three countries will continue to progress toward the goals pursued through the MAP, and I look forward to future reports of each country’s progress.

Georgia is also coordinating its reform efforts with NATO members to meet the criteria for eventual membership in the Alliance. NATO recently announced the launching of an Intensified Dialogue with the Georgian government. The United States stands ready to assist the Georgian people as they continue their reform efforts.

In addition to expressing the Congress’s support for their eventual NATO membership, this legislation also designates Albania, Croatia, Georgia, and Macedonia as eligible to receive assistance under the NATO Participation Act of 1994. To underscore this commitment, it authorizes security assistance in the amount of $3.2 million for Albania, $3 million for Croatia, $10 million for Georgia, and $3.6 million for Macedonia.

Previous rounds of NATO enlargement have shown that the expansion of this great alliance benefits not only the new members but the Alliance itself. Albania, Croatia, Georgia, and Macedonia stand to gain as much from NATO membership as the current Allies do from their accession.

The United States cannot build a safer and better world alone. The support of our NATO allies and the strengthening of the Alliance are essential in the Global War on Terrorism. The Alliance will be critical in successfully dealing with the mutual challenges we will face in the years ahead.

The United States will continue to work with these countries to institute the reforms necessary for NATO membership. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation. And, I look forward to the day when Albania, Croatia, Georgia, and Macedonia become America’s NATO allies and the most successful alliance in history becomes even stronger.

[MarMema]

Army trainers deem Georgians ‘combat-ready’

"Lt. Col. Craig Jones of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center and training task force commander awards a Georgian soldier with a combat qualification badge during a ceremony Sept. 29 at the Krtsanisi Training Area".

"Lt. Col. Craig Jones of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center and training task force commander presents a Georgian soldier with a “coin of excellence” during a ceremony Sept. 29 at the Krtsanisi Training Area."

"“Georgia is an important ally to the United States and an important partner in the Coalition fight against terrorism,” said Lt. Col. Craig Jones, training task force commander, during the ceremony. “… They are well trained, physically tough, disciplined, and ready to deploy to combat”.

"Composed of hand-picked soldiers, the 2nd Brigade Recon Troop is one of only three such companies in the Georgian Army, making their training and growth that much more critical, according to Maj. Phillip Sounia, JMRC recon team chief. “Once they learn the right way to do a task, they want to do it perfect every time,” Sounia said. “You can’t beat the type of soldiers they have here. “They’re completely motivated and hard as rocks. They’re a joy to work with”.

JMTC and JMRC assumed responsibility for the training program from the U.S. Marine Corps this year and will continue through April 2007.

[MarMema]

And finally an email excerpt from my dear friend in Tbilisi, which came to my mailbox only yesterday..

"Georgia is a new country now, Tbilisi became a very nice city. A lot of new buildings, new roads, everywhere lights...New parks, schools, kindergartens...Very often we are proud, that have so nice country. Now we can feel, that it is not any more Soviet Union. So, come back soon, we have alot of new and interesting places to show to you."

First hand evidence of our assistance, and how well it is working! Thank you President Bush!!

[bd476]

Thank you for posting that, MarMema.

Can't get more clear than that. Isn't the timing of the current Soviet Russian aggression ... interesting?

[MarMema]

I thought so. But some insist it is not punitive in nature.

I think otherwise.

[Freelance Warrior]

Well, the USA can help Georgia with buying their wine and mineral water - that would make Georgia economically independent from Russia.

Georgia has sea access and borders with other countries, one of them is Turkey, what is a NATO member.

A pet owner is meant to care for his/her pets.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Uncle Pootie is throwing another temper tantrum over the fact that he can't rebuild the former Soviet Union in his own image.

Georgia is one of the real post-Communist success stories. That's what's really got him steamed.

[Freelance Warrior]

Accepting Georgian workers in the USA will be a help too.

[bd476]

You're right. Putin doesn't want to have another successful country on Russia's border.

[Freelance Warrior]

Do you really think that a government receiving their salary from the Soros fund "Open society", impoverished population, 1/3 of 1/4 of population emigrated abroad, a country denied the right to speak in the UN because of inability to pay for the membership, are all signs of success?

[Sergei_DV]

And Georgia Mafia too. At last authorities started doing something about that.

I wonder, why population of 'success stories' so eagerly goes from they beloved countries to be a cheap labor somewhere else? Pole, Baltians, Georgians...

[Freelance Warrior]

People try to move to a better place. Russia is a better place for Georgians, Tajiks, Chineese, the UK is a better place for Poles and Baltians, the US is the one for Mexicans.

Nothing new. While Mr. Saakishvili has a record of success (like eliminating bribes of the road police and Ajaria) that's not enough for a success story.

[VeniVidiVici]

"We can only draw one conclusion: they are preparing very actively to solve militarily the conflicts on their territory."

Hmmm. Something wrong with this statement.

[Sergei_DV]

People of Japan and South Korea tried hard to make they countries to be better place.

[Freelance Warrior]

Sure.

That's the right way, but it's not the easiest.

[A. Pole]

"We can only draw one conclusion: they are preparing very actively to solve militarily the conflicts on their territory."

Hmmm. Something wrong with this statement.

Because the key context is missing here. There are two small nations which were included in Georgian Soviet Republic: Abhazia and Ossetia. They resisted Georgian rule in 1990s and as a result of a compromise the Russian peacekeepers were placed there to oversee the ceasefire.

Now Georgian government wants Russian troops to leave while Abhazians and Ossetians want them to stay.