Crisis in the Caucasus.

Sempa, Francis P.

Crisis in the Caucasus

By Nino Burjanadze, former Speaker of the Georgian Parliament

Reviewed by Francis P. Sempa, Contributing Editor

Text:http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/0904carnegie-caucasus_transcript.pdf"

Video: http://www.carnegieendowment.org/events/index.cfm?fa=eventDetail&id=1160&&prog=zru

On September 4, 2008, Nino Burjanadze, the former Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, spoke at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about the ongoing conflict between Russia and Georgia.

Burjanadze characterized the Russian military move into Georgia as an act of "open aggression," an attempt "to change the political map of the Caucasus," and "an open challenge to the contemporary international order."

If the international community, especially Europe and the United States, allows the Russian aggression to succeed, Burjanadze warned, it will set a "dangerous precedent" and "send a clear message" to the rest of the world that great power aggression will be tolerated. Abkhazia and South Ossetia are part of Georgia, yet Russia has effectively annexed them. Russia, she said, is trying to "rehabilitate its imperial soul," and it views NATO and the prospect of Georgia in NATO as a threat to its great power status.

Burjanadze urged the United States and Europe to "force Russia to act in accordance with ... international law." A firm, united Euro-Atlantic front, she indicated, is essential to the territorial integrity and political independence of Georgia and other post-Soviet states in the region. That united political front and the "internationalization" of the peacekeeping forces in Abkhazia and South Ossetia are the necessary first steps in a diplomatic strategy to turn back Russian aggression.

Traditional Russian aggression has once again reared its ugly head in the post-Soviet era. This Russian move has geopolitical implications that will provide an early test for whoever is elected the new American president.