Russia hints at separatist policy change

[Arthur Gordon Pym]

Russia hints at separatist policy change

By STEVE GUTTERMAN, Associated Press Writer Fri Feb 15, 2008

MOSCOW - Russia suggested Friday that Kosovo's expected Western-backed declaration of independence from Serbia will affect its policy on two separatist regions in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. But it stopped short of saying it would recognize the breakaway provinces.

"The declaration and recognition of the independence of Kosovo will doubtless have to be taken into account as far as the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is concerned," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement, released after Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the leaders of the two pro-Russian regions, did not say how Russia's policy toward the provinces might change.

Moscow formally supports the territorial integrity of Georgia, but has granted Russian citizenship to most residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

It earlier warned the West that recognizing Kosovo as a new nation would add legitimacy to the two Georgian provinces' independence claims — an implicit threat that Moscow could recognize them.

The ministry statement said recognition of Kosovo independence "presupposes a revision of commonly accepted norms and principles of international law," suggesting the Kremlin would be freed to act as it sees fit on other regions.

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday reiterated Russia's opposition to a Western-backed independence for Kosovo and said the Kremlin had plans for a response. But he indicated Russia would not immediately recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, saying Moscow would not "ape" the West or make moves mirroring what he called Western mistakes.

Several analysts have said the Kremlin is unlikely to risk a major rift with the United States and European Union by swiftly recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia — a move that could lead to war with Georgia's pro-Western government.

On Friday, the Interfax news agency had quoted what it said was a Foreign Ministry statement that Russia would adjust its policy toward Abkhazia and South Ossetia — a more strongly worded suggestion of potential recognition. But the ministry did not confirm that statement, and Interfax subsequently issued a report conforming with the statement released by the ministry.

Also Friday, Russia reiterated its call for further talks between Serbia and Kosovo's regional leadership and denounced a European Union plan to send a 1,800-member police and judiciary mission to replace the U.N. administration in Kosovo.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said such a change required approval from the U.N. Security Council, where Russia has veto power.

[source]