Posted on 03/05/2008 2:35:47 PM PST by forkinsocket
Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia has called upon the international community to recognize its independence.
In the opinion of the parliament the self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia, "the Kosovo precedent presents a convincing argument" for recognition of its own independence.
Later this week, Abkhazia, another pro-Russian territory attempting to break ties with Tbilisi, is expected to follow suit.
RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service spoke with Eduard Kokoity, the de facto president of South Ossetia, to explain the reasoning behind the parliament's measure.
"Considering the precedent created by the arguments that served as basis for the declaration of Kosovo's independence -- which was virtually created by the European Union -- it says that Kosovo should be recognized due to the impossibility of coexistence between Kosovo and Serbia within the same state," Kokoity said. "So we also want to announce that future coexistence between South Ossetia and Georgia within the same state is impossible."
The declaration argues that separatist South Ossetia has "all the necessary requirements and attributes" of a democratic and law-based sovereign state.
Georgia has dismissed the declaration, with State Minister for Reintegration Temur Iakobashvili saying that "the so-called South Ossetian parliament is not a legitimate body, and its declarations cannot have any consequences."
This is not the first time that Kosovo's recent declaration of independence from Serbia has been cited as a precedent for the independence of breakaway republics in the former Soviet Union. Both South Ossetia and Abkhazia have drawn the parallel numerous times, arguing that the approach should be employed in relation to their status as well.
And in the months ahead of Kosovo's declaration, Russia -- which along with South Ossetia and Abkhazia also backs Moldova's separatist Transdniester region -- was particularly vocal in arguing the "precedent" point.
Critics, however, argue that all separatist movements have their own unique circumstances, and thus the outcome of one cannot automatically apply to any other.
Russian Support
Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in the early 1990s, following bloody conflicts in which thousands of people were killed, and hundreds of thousands of Georgians had to flee from their homes. With Russia's political and economic support, the two regions have existed as de facto republics, and have sought integration into Russia itself.
When asked if he would like to see South Ossetia join the Russian Federation, Kokoity replied: "It is necessary first to achieve -- in strict accordance to the norms of international law and today's realities -- our independence. We will aspire to this, and we will fight for this. Afterward, it will be up to the people of South Ossetia. No one should forget that we represent a small group of people, split into two. In order to protect our language and culture, we are obliged to consolidate all our forces."
The majority of the populations of Abkhazia and South Ossetia now hold Russian passports, together with documents issued by their respective unrecognized republics.
Both regions participated in Russia's recent presidential election, each giving Dmitry Medvedev about 90 percent of their vote. Georgia protested against the regions' participation in the election, saying it violated international law.
South Ossetia's Kokoity expressed a high opinion of the Russian presidential election, saying it was "in line with the Russian Constitution" and "norms of international law."
He also said he believes Russian democracy is a "specific" one that "the kind of democracy that exists in the United States or in the European Union, is not suitable, for instance, for Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and so on. But in Russia there is a significant democratic foundation, and I think this is enough."
Meanwhile, the Russian parliament is preparing for a hearing on the separatist provinces of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Moldova's Transdniester on March 13. According to Interfax, the session will be attended by the parliamentary leaders of all three regions.
Get used to this. Every pissant little wannabe country will demand recognition now.
Well maybe the South will secede again. After all, the precedent is there! Or will Texas become independent of everyone again?
Or the Kingdom of Breckinridge here in Colorado?
We haven’t even begun to imagine the absolute chaos and bloodshed that going to come as a result of the Kosovo fiasco...
You can bet the illegal immigrants in Aztlan have taken notice!
If Texas has the right to withdraw from the Union, were they not exercising that right in the 1860s?
Later this week, Abkhazia, another pro-Russian territory attempting to break ties with Tbilisi, is expected to follow suit.
And Russia is about to recognize them.
Will Californimexistan be next?
Domino effect
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