Posted on 08/27/2008 9:14:50 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
David Miliband joined a chorus of Western leaders to condemn Russia, accusing the Kremlin of jeopardising European security by recognising Georgia's two breakaway regions.
Speaking in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, the Foreign Secretary said that Russia was "more isolated, less trusted and less respected" as a result of its actions in Georgia. These breached a United Nations Resolution, approved by Moscow last April, which reaffirmed Georgia's sovereignty over Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Mr Miliband placed the onus for avoiding a new Cold War firmly on President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia. "The Russian President says he is not afraid of a new Cold War. We don't want a new Cold War. He has a big responsibility not to start one," he said.
Comparing Russia's actions to the Prague Spring of 1968, when Moscow suppressed a reformist Czech government, Mr Miliband said: "The sight of Russian tanks in a neighbouring country on the 40th anniversary of the crushing of the Prague Spring has shown that the temptations of power politics remain. The old sores and divisions fester. And Russia is not yet reconciled to the new map of this region."
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's foreign minister, issued a stark warning. "If we don't watch out, Europe's whole security architecture will start to falter with unforeseeable consequences for all of us. The spiral of provocation must stop immediately," he said.
France, which holds the European Union's rotating presidency, expressed concern that Moscow, emboldened by its military success in Georgia, could turn on other former Soviet republics with breakaway provinces and large Russian minorities.
Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, described the situation as "very dangerous" and said: "There are other objectives that one can suppose are objectives for Russia, in particular the Crimea, Ukraine and Moldova."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
We will know the Euros are serious if they start investing in a military infrastructure. Until then, it’s all talk and resolutions.
this is like a bunch of 7 year olds with water pistols starring down a thug with an ak47.
Correct. The Euros talk tough. but when the bullets fly, they are on all 4’s tugging at Uncle Sam’s hemline to save their sorry behinds for the nth time.
Dissolve NATO and sacrifice them while we re-load Stateside.
You involved yourself in wars in Europe because it was in YOUR interests.
From article: So far, only the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, has followed Russia and recognised the independence of the two regions. Mr Lavrov, the Kremlin's foreign minister, said: "I can only say that we will not be roving the globe, twisting hands and twisting arms of people for them to recognise South Ossetia or Abkhazia."
---You don't have to, Mr. Lavrov. Assuredly you can get Hamas, Chechnya Mercenaries, Taliban, why maybe you could even get AQ to do that for you, right?
>You involved yourself in wars in Europe because it was in YOUR interests.<
Because it was you are too STUPID AND COWARDLY to clean up your OWN mess.
It was obvious to anyone with half a brain by the late 1930’s that there was something very unpleasant going on in the Third Reich. It was obvious that sooner or later, everyone who has any regard for liberty and individuality of any kind was going to have to oppose the rising power of Nazi Germany. It was Britain and France and (by neccecity) Poland who made the stand. Before Pearl Harbor only 15% of Americans were prepared to go to war. So, who’s the stupid and cowardly ones now?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.