Dom Kaukaski Nowiny InterPressNews'
InterPressNews'
11.03.2010 |
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‘InterPressNews’ interviewed Alexander Krilov, leading researcher of Moscow Institute of International Economy and International Affairs, on the real goals of the Georgian opposition leaders meetings with the Premier-Minister Putin, whether Russia has or not its favorite in the presidential elections of 2013 and how might Georgia return Abkhazia and South Ossetia back. - Q: Mister Alexander, there are non-homogenous approaches in connection with Ex-Premier Noghaideli’s and Ex-Speaker Burjanadze’s Moscow visits in Georgia. How do you think, what happens indeed? What does Moscow’s activeness towards Georgia mean? - A: There is not anything criminal in the visits of the Georgian opposition leaders in Moscow. The opposition leaders seem to be seeking the ways of improving Russian-Georgian relations. I do not exclude Georgian politicians to be seeking financial support in Moscow. The interest of the West and America towards Caucasus has reduced due to the world economical crisis. Therefore, the Georgian opposition has lost the Western support. It is not surprising if the Georgian opposition seeks finances in Russia in order to continue the political activities. The independent dialogue and friendly approaches towards Russia might attract certain support of the society. - Q: there is an impression that Moscow imitates as if launching a dialogue with Georgia while preparing for the presidential elections of 2013 in Georgia along with holding the defiles of the possible presidential candidates… - A: No, I cannot share this idea for there is much time before 2013. I cannot see anything criminal in the meetings of the Georgian opposition leaders with Russian authorities. I think it is natural process. The Kremlin does not interfere in the activities of Russian companies solving the social problems in West Georgia and consolidate Saakashvili’s regime in certain point of view. You know Saakashvili is undesirable politician in Moscow. As I have already mentioned the interest reduced towards Caucasus due to the world economical crisis. The current situation is radically different than before. I mean the fact that Baku and Ankara fail to agree on the price of Azerbaijanian gas supplies for ‘Nabucco’ and Azerbaijan started to sell its gas in Russia and Iran. Everything indicates to the reality that has changed in the recent period. - Q: I see that Moscow does not speak with Tbilisi and is not ready to consider the issues of de-occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the IDPs safe repatriation and the performance of August 12 Cease-Fire Agreement, but what are the issues Russia intends to cooperate with the Georgian opposition? - A: Moscow has already opened Zemo Larsi Check-Point. Moscow seems to be ready to restore air flights if Georgian side covers the debts. Moscow is not ready to hold the political dialogue with Saakashvili for having announced him to have been the major military criminal of tragic August events. The President Medvedev announced Saakashvili as persona non grata. But Moscow does not seem to send Saakashvili to custody. Though, that does not mean the character of the relations will change between Moscow and Tbilisi. Russia expects to time when Saakashvili is resigned. It might take much time for Saakashvili is strong politician and has got real leverages to preserve his powers. - Q: the fact is that Russia is interested in starting the dialogue with Georgian society as well. Considering the issues of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are significant ones for Georgia, would not it be justifiable Moscow to take independent step towards the settlement of these conflicts? Let’s take the issue of building the military units in the conflict regions… - A: No one enforces Russia to take such steps. The logic of Russia is clear – Moscow considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia as the independent subjects, had recognized their independence in the recent past and deepens the military cooperation with them. That does not mean Georgia is not able to return Abkhazia and South Ossetia back to its borders. If Georgia manages to be more attractive state for Abkhazia and South Ossetia than Russia, Russia will not hinder Abkhazia and South Ossetia to return back to Georgian borders. But Georgia will have to speak with Abkhazians and Ossetians. Russia should not be blamed of everything. Tbilisi should not forget that these republics are not only the parts of Georgia, but there live Abkhazians and Ossetians and these people should wish to return back to Georgia. The same happened in Cyprus. Cyprian Turks stated on the referendum of 2005 that they were wishing to have lived in Cyrus Republic themselves but Cyprian Greeks refused it due to the ethnic factor. - Q: Georgia was trying to be democratic state aspiring to join European structures but had been punished for it by Russia. Now it is impossible to transform Georgia into such state for it is under permanent danger of Russian aggression… - A: Nothing is impossible. Cyprus did it. There were Turkish tanks in Cyprus as well and the capital Nicosia had been divided into two parts but Greeks did it. Unfortunately, Georgian policy was oriented to solving Abkhazian and Ossetia conflicts by means of military forces after the dissolution of Soviet Union. You are well aware of the final outcome. Georgian side had been affirming for 20 years that all Georgian problems were connected to Russia that is not right attitude. There should be objectively evaluated the events. There need to be made balanced policy in relation with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgia is the only state among the post-soviet republics with whom Russia has tensed relations. Russia had problems with Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine but not military confrontation because Russia is not too bad. - Q: do you share the idea that Russia punished Georgia for its aspiration to the West? - A: If Saakashvili did not commence the operation in Tskhivali, everything would have been continued as it had been before. The consolidation of Kodori and Liakhvi would have facilitated Tbilisi to have gradually restored control over Sokhumi and Tskhinvali. Saakashvili made great mistake when stoke Tskinvali. - Q: many suppose that Tbilisi had been entrapped by Moscow, but there should be taken into account the fact that Russian militaries had been concentrated in Abkhazia and South Ossetia before the commencement of the hostilities… - A: There had been only 500 Russian peacekeepers in Tskhinvali before the hostilities. Georgian side committed many foolish things after the dissolution of Soviet Union. If we do not wish to break the same door, we should manage to overcome the old mistakes along with objective evaluation of the existed situation. InterPressNews’ |
Alexander Krilov – I do not exclude Georgian politicians to be seeking financial support in Moscow.