Russia to Bush: 'Forget' Georgian territorial integrity

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gDNLWfQWKrQc48pITBUg9KT_6oVwD92I7PPG0

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA – 47 minutes ago

GORI, Georgia (AP) — Russia's foreign minister declared Thursday that the world "can forget about" Georgia's territorial integrity, and officials said Russia targeted military infrastructure and equipment — including radars and patrol boats at a Black Sea naval base and oil hub.

Two American military planes delivered cargos of aid — including food and medicine — to Georgia's wounded and refugees. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he sees no need to invoke U.S. military force in the war between Russia and Georgia. He warned, however, that U.S.-Russian relations could suffer for "years to come" if Moscow doesn't retreat.

Russia's president met in the Kremlin with the leaders of Georgia's two separatist provinces — a clear sign that Moscow could absorb the regions. And the comments from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appeared to come as a challenge to the United States, where President Bush has called for Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia."

"One can forget about any talk about Georgia's territorial integrity because, I believe, it is impossible to persuade South Ossetia and Abkhazia to agree with the logic that they can be forced back into the Georgian state," Lavrov told reporters.

The White House said it would ignore the comment.

[The Magistrate]

1. Indeed, My Friend: This Is A Done Deal

A bit of 'Kossovo solution' on the Black Sea....

Nor will relations with Russia suffer greatly. Relations between Russia and the U.S. at present are pretty poor anyway, and have little room to deteriorate, and much room to improve in future. At bottom, the U.S. has no signifigant interests, and no historical standing, in the Caucasian region, and will not long pursue such a side-show.

[Monk06]

3. I would add that Russia's resistance to Kosovo independence

was mean to provoke Bush into recognizing Kosovo
thus paving the way for Russia to recognize Abkazia
and South Ossetia as independent states.

Bush walked right into the trap and now has little
diplomatic grounds to complain of Russian interference
in Georgia.

Especially since both former Georgian territories have
been de facto independent longer than Kosovo.

[question everything]

2. And this is why this is such an important news

As much as DUers don't care and, besides, Georgia "started it," they should at least care that McCain's tough talk will resonate with many voters.