MOSCOW LOST WHAT IT NEEDED

Like in many countries of the world, the expert community of Armenia, which is represented by both political scientists and politicians, is trying to evaluate the situation in the Caucasus which emerged as a result of the Georgian-Russian military clash. The majority of that community already states that what happened was the end of the one-pole world. In other words, the idea of wakening the Russian bear is put forward, which, according to the authors of that idea, was reflected in the sweeping victory of the Russian military force in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Georgia. In fact, impressive was the ease with which the Russians liberated South Ossetia from tremendous Georgia, afterwards intruded in the territory of Georgia and destroyed it, from the system of public administration to most transport and energy infrastructures. And the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia a few days later was viewed as the final fury of the Russian bear for preventing which there is only one way, to declare Russia the second pole of the world, at least for a period of 50 years, on the condition of declaring it the first pole afterward. In reality, however, the depth of that situation is a little different, if there is a wish to have at least a look at that depth. That glance shows clearly that Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia because it had no other way. If Russia were a pole, it would not need to recognize them at all because those territories were Russia’s in any case. Simply the Russians went too far but when they noticed the trap, it was too late, Abkhazia and Ossetia were already placed comfortably on the back of Russia, and there was nothing the Russians could do but to carry that load, which according to official Moscow, was saved from genocide. Once you saved, you have to carry it. Perhaps nobody can tell how Russia benefits from that recognition. Yes, it reduced the territory of Georgia, destroyed that territory, dealt a huge blow to Georgia, both morally and physically. Nevertheless, Russia is now facing the real loss of Georgia. Meanwhile, Abkhazia and Georgia were levers which enabled Russia to maneuver regarding the relations with the West and Georgia. However, those levers were useful as long as they were unrecognized, with the prospect of recognition. When that prospect becomes reality before official Moscow can get from Georgia in reality, certainly the Russians were unable to benefit from the problems of Abkhazia and Ossetia. If it was a response to the recognition of Kosovo, comparison is meaningless because the West recognized Kosovo getting maximum use from the Serbs, and got that use through the prospect of recognition of Kosovo. And when finally the Serbs appeared in the Western domain, the West decided to solve the problem of recognition of Kosovo. In the case of Abkhazia and South Ossetia it is clear that Georgia has lost those unrecognized territories forever. However, it was clear one, two or three years ago, wasn’t it? Was there someone who thought that Georgia, even with the help of the West, would be able to cut those two territories from Russia when the Russians had issued passports of citizens of Russia to the people of those territories? Consequently, Georgia lost what did not belong to him for a long time, and Russia took what belonged to it for many years. The problem is that by taking what belong to it for many years Russia lost what it needed. In other words, Georgia. The Kremlin has already realized that, but it has also realized that awareness came too late, and now it needs to remain in Georgia as long as possible to get possibly more stability in the competition with the West. However, the flexibility that Abkhazia and Ossetia could provide to Russia, with their separate policies, is already a missed opportunity, and there is nothing Russia can do but to position itself sooner or later in those two traps skillfully set for it which have already lost their attraction in terms of geopolitical developments. Abkhazia and South Ossetia were stones on the way towards those developments which were removed through Russia. Therefore, the news about the death of the one-pole world seems exaggerated, like Twain would say. The world has always had one pole, even in the years of the Soviet Union. After all, when the iron curtain fell, everyone saw that behind the curtain the USSR was not part of the world but a part separated from the world. The world lived somewhere else and developed in a different life. HAKOB BADALYAN

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Headlines for August 28, 2008

THE STATEMENT OF THE NKR FOREIGN MINISTRY
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic welcomes the recognition of the state independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It fully complies with the basic principles of self-determination and the international law ...
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