Georgia’s NATO entry ‘impossible’ within old borders – Rogozin
MOSCOW, July 24 (RIA Novosti) – Georgia’s entry to NATO is impossible
as long as its new borders have not been defined, the Russian envoy to
NATO said on Friday dismissing U.S. pledges on the ex-Soviet state’s
ambition.
"If a decision on Georgia’s accession to NATO is made now, the
alliance will have to admit what was left of Georgia thanks to
[President Mikheil] Saakashvili," Dmitry Rogozin told Ekho Moskvy
radio station referring to last summer’s war over Georgia’s breakaway
region. "It is absurd."
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said during his visit to Georgia earlier
this week that Washington fully supported a "united" Georgia, but
added its leaders must do "much more" to strengthen democracy.
"We understand that Georgia aspires to join NATO. We fully support
that aspiration and… we will work to continue to help you meet the
standards of NATO membership," he said.
Russia and Georgia fought a brief war after Tbilisi attacked South
Ossetia to restore control of the territory. Russia, which had
peacekeepers in the region, repelled the attack and later recognized
South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another breakaway republic, as independent
states.
Rogozin said Georgia’s new borders needed to be internationally
recognized before it could join the Western military alliance.
"Georgia might join NATO eventually, if NATO still exists by that
time," the outspoken diplomat said.
Rogozin highlighted the danger of ongoing arms supplies and military
aid to Georgia by other countries. "Georgia’s ongoing militarization
is dangerous as we know what it leads to," he said.
He reminded that Russia would introduce sanctions against foreign
firms that continue to provide military equipment to Georgia.
Russia has banned the exports of military products and dual-purpose
technology to Georgia after the armed conflict. Under a presidential
decree, effective through December 2011, Moscow is to restrict
military cooperation with countries providing Georgia with weapons.
"If it is
is not important where, in the Arctic or in America – supplies
offensive weapons, it will undoubtedly fall under the influence of
this decree," Rogozin said.
Commenting on the envoy’s statement, U.S. Ambassador to Russia John
Beyrle said later on Friday that Washington would continue military
cooperation with Georgia, but it did not include heavy weapon
supplies.
Georgia’s ally, the U.S. has trained and equipped Georgia’s military
and provided financial aid.
Moscow has also slammed Ukraine for arms supplies to Georgia. But a
senior military official in Ukraine said early this month that the
country would continue to fulfill contracts on weapons deliveries to
Georgia until a UN Security Council ban.
Ukraine supplies Georgia with air defense systems, radars,
helicopters, armored personnel vehicles, and a variety of small arms.
The official dismissed allegations that Ukraine had delivered arms to
Georgia illegally and free of charge during and after the conflict on
orders from President Viktor Yushchenko.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
