Posted on 10/19/2005 7:06:09 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
On October 15 in Moscow, officials from the presidential administration and other Kremlin-connected figures hosted a "Forum on Democracy and Multiculturalism in the Euro-East." The participants included representatives of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transnistria, and Karabakh, activists of pro-Russia parties and associations from several post-Soviet countries, and Moscow figures who -- according to Kremlin consultant Gleb Pavlovsky, speaking at the Forum -- "play a major if often shadowy role in developing Russia's real policy" (Regnum, October 15).
Outlining geopolitical challenges and opportunities to Russia, Pavlovsky noted that the United States is focusing its hostile attention on Belarus, "our basic military-political ally." In the Balkans, the ongoing separation of Kosovo from Serbia could serve as a precedent and model for conflict-resolution on Russia's terms, Pavlovsky claimed.
The other Kremlin-connected keynote speaker, Sergei Markov, observed, "This is the only forum where the flags of both Georgia and Abkhazia, both Moldova and Transnistria are displayed simultaneously. So here we have the chance to develop a dialogue between unrecognized states and the states from which they have withdrawn" (Russian Television Channel One, October 15). Markov called for Georgia to become a federation, the Russian language to become an official language alongside Georgian, and Georgia's constitution to empower Russia as the guarantor of the rights of national minorities (Imedi TV, October 15).
Modest Kolerov, head of the Russian Presidential Administration's Directorate for Interregional and External Ties (mainly responsible for liaison with pro-Moscow groups in Eurasia) clarified the concept of post-Soviet "multiculturalism" as entailing in practice a privileged official role for the Russian language, as well as special dispensations for Russia-oriented minorities under Russia's oversight in post-Soviet countries. Kolerov assessed such "multiculturalism" as "a task and a goal that, unfortunately, have yet to be accomplished in the post-Soviet space"; and predictably castigated Latvia and Estonia for not adhering to such multiculturalism (RIA-Novosti, October 15).
The prominent commentator Vitaly Tretyakov noted that a CIS that is "nearing its end as a political organization" cannot serve as a mechanism for pursuing that concept of multiculturalism in the post-Soviet space. Tretyakov urged the Russian government to seek international recognition for the Russian people as a "dismembered people" and reshape its policy accordingly. As part of such a policy, he recommended that Russia should purchase Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia, or lease the two territories for 150 to 200 years, based on the fact that the populations in the two territories are citizens of Russia. Tretyakov is a Kremlin-licensed ultranationalist with a regular column in the governmental Rossiiskaya gazeta.
Georgia seemed to be the main target of attack at the Forum. The Abkhaz "national security council secretary" Stanislav Lakoba as well as Konstantin Kochiev, identified as "state secretary" of South Ossetia, called for recognition of the two territories' secession from Georgia with the argument that Russia had already conferred its citizenship to most residents there. This seemed to confound some anti-Western activists from Tbilisi attending the Forum. One of these, Malkhaz Gulashvili of Forward Georgia, argued that the Georgian government must work closely with Russia to change the latter's policy and help restore Georgia's territorial integrity. The "Samegrelo movement" leader Alexander Chachiya asked Russia to act decisively as the "center of gravity of Eurasian civilization," and in that spirit resolve the frozen conflicts in accordance with Russian interests or alternatively face the dismemberment of Russia itself.
Georgia's Labor Party and Justice Party were also represented at the conference. The "human rights activist" Maia Nikolaishvili announced that she has set up in Georgia an "Anti-Soros Foundation" to combat the phenomenon of "Soros-ism." She -- that is, probably, the organizers through her -- called for setting up similar "anti-Soros foundations" in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other countries where American-sponsored NGOs are active.
Speakers at the Forum criticized the "color revolution countries and Moldova" for allegedly violating democracy. The sharpest accusations were directed at Georgia and Moldova for "mass repressions, persecution of political opposition, electoral frauds," and "violating the rights of ethnic, cultural, and linguistic minorities." Significantly, the accounts of the Forum in Russian media carefully avoided naming Ukraine as a "color revolution country" or violator of democracy. Although some speakers may well have criticized Ukraine as well or at least made demands for "multiculturalism" in that country, the official reports from the Forum did not.
The Forum was the third event of this type (under slightly varying names) since July, and a fourth event is scheduled for December. The Kremlin seems to be in the process of institutionalizing a neo-Comintern of hard-core activists promoting Russia's geopolitical agenda, largely though not only through the manipulation of ethnic issues, now fashionably repackaged as "multiculturalism."
Interesting post!
So, the Russian politicians signalize that they are ready to sold out Serbia anytime if only the world would allow them to annex Abkhazia and South Ossetia. What a surprise! / sarcasm
Markov called for Georgia to become a federation, the Russian language to become an official language alongside Georgian, and Georgia's constitution to empower Russia as the guarantor of the rights of national minorities
LOL what a joke!! Georgia to Markov ==> "STFU"
It is possible that in long term Russia indeed will be the greatest beneficent but it has nothing to do with Putin’s primitive imperialist plans. Post-communist imperialists like Putin aren’t able to think like capitalists.
anti-Russian colour revolutions
This term is a joke, Kremlin’s propaganda. What those guys really afraid is to lose the power that they have in Russia.
Russia’s new strategy in the making is – in a distorting echo of the “guerrillas without guns” model pioneered by youth movements in countries to its west and south – based on exporting its own version of democracy and building pro-Russian constituencies in the post-Soviet societies.
„exporting its own version of democracy” means exporting pro-Kremlin dictators, nothing else.
In the Balkans, the ongoing separation of Kosovo from Serbia could serve as a precedent and model for conflict-resolution on Russia's terms, Pavlovsky claimed.
For me, and I know what Im talking about, that means:
"We will attack Georgia (Ukraine, Moldavia, or aother), post our troops as peacekeepers, make hell on the earth, and proclaim inipendence of ocupied teritories."
It means "If Kosovo get 'Indipendency" we will do the sam eto American-friendly ex-Soviet countries"
US must be very smart, not to think that Albanians are better allies nad Kosovo better allie than Georgia, Ukraine or Moldova.
Whatewer happens, Russia wins. If Kosovo stays in Serbia, Russia will claim that they mada that possible. If Kosovo is taken from Serbia, Govrement in Belgrade will fall, and extereme pro-Russian politicians will come to power, even invite Russian troops afering them bases in Serbia. THAT would be horrible defeat to USA nad NATO. Russian base on 20 minutes flight range to Aviano base?
Are you Hungarian (Lukazs)?
Whatewer happens, Russia wins.
Russia always losing with itself. The key to their victory as a nation, is far from Serbian borders.
THAT would be horrible defeat to USA nad NATO. Russian base on 20 minutes flight range to Aviano base?
Russian fighters and copters falling from the sky without enemy help, Russian subs become a joke, Russian army is unable to beat few dirty Chechens. Such a base would be indeed a catastrophe for NATO :-) Today Russian army is able eventually violate Estonian airspace, nothing more.
The leaders of Georgia's breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, are anxiously watching developments in Serbia's separatist region, Kosovo. The sudden interest stems from the UN Security Council's October 24 decision to start talks about the future status of Kosovo. If the international community recognizes Kosovo's independence in the near future, then it would create a precedent for recognition of self-proclaimed states.
Not surprisingly, various statements by foreign diplomats regarding the possible independence of Kosovo did not go unnoticed in Tbilisi. So far Georgian officials have not outwardly shown any anxiousness regarding the UN's changed attitude toward Kosovo, but the topic is hot news in Tbilisi and Moscow, as well as Sukhumi and Tskhinvali.
Georgian and Russian media are already speculating on possible developments in South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the event of UN recognition of Kosovo's independence. The headline "Awaiting Kosovo Precedent" introduced an article in 24 Saati that mentioned two resolutions in support of independence for Kosovo that several American congressmen submitted to the House of Representatives in December 2004 and January 2005.
Some Russian policymakers are already arguing that independence of Kosovo will allow Moscow to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. But while on a formal visit in the United States this month Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli warned that if Moscow uses a "Kosovo precedent" against Georgia it might create problems for Russia....
The Kremlin seems to be in the process of institutionalizing a neo-Comintern of hard-core activists promoting Russia's geopolitical agenda, largely though not only through the manipulation of ethnic issues, now fashionably repackaged as "multiculturalism."
Before the USSR it was a czarist empire. It appears there is still a bear in the woods.
"Some Russian policymakers are already arguing that independence of Kosovo will allow Moscow to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia."
All quite interesting.
Moscow is in the process of reversing many aspects of the breakup of the Soviet Union and liberalization of Russia. The free press is gone. Electoral process apparently rigged. Legislature not a factor. Courts a tool of the administration.
Now they are partially reversing the breakup itself, subverting bordering nations to reassert a "semi-union".
In 1993, Golitsyn felt the breakup was a "fake". He overstated, but his insights are valid. The countries around Russia have been heavily seeded with Communist agents reporting to the KGB for decades, people now probably loyal to Putin and the FSB, for the most part. Communism is dead in Russia, but it's successor is not necessarily better for the US.
Thanks for ping. Interesting article, as well as the dialogs presented in these threads. I'll take a back seat and try to learn something.
Well Russia is running out of places to sell nuclear plants.
All the former-Soviets really want is a new Soviet Union. That is what Putin and gang really want.
Thanks to Tailgunner Joe for this thread.
Ping to read an up to date article with valuable comments.
worth repeating:
"All the former-Soviets really want is a new Soviet Union. That is what Putin and gang really want."
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