Georgia may sever ties with Russia - Zhvania
Photo: Dana Zimmerman
Senior Georgian official: We may sever ties with Russia
Foreign Relations Committee chairman tells Ynet Russian recognition of separatists' independence 'illegal'
Tough talk from Georgia: The world must prompt Russia to adhere to an appropriate code of international conduct, a senior Georgian official told Ynet Tuesday evening.
"The Russian announcement is illegal – it has no basis or validity in terms of international law," Zhvania said. "The Russian decision merely serves to boost us, as it will inspire the world and international mechanisms to exert more powerful and vigorous diplomatic pressure in order to curb Russian belligerence and rein Russia in."
Lasha Zhvania, who chairs the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee, spoke to Ynet following an emergency session called to discuss Russia's decision to recognize the independence of separatist regions Abkhazia and south Ossetia.
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The Georgian official also revealed that participants in the emergency session considered advising President Mikhail Saakashvili to severe the country's diplomatic relations with Moscow in response to Russia's decision. The recommendation will be brought before parliament for approval.
Zhvania told Ynet he was not surprised by the Russian declaration. "The Russian president's announcement marks the direct continuation of Russia's actions within Georgia in recent weeks, and before that, of her aspirations to take over Georgia."
'We warned the world'
The Georgian official noted that his country alerted international organizations and Western countries ahead of Russia's recent actions."We said that as Moscow is a party to this conflict, it cannot serve as an observer or intermediary," he said. "By now, Russia apparently realized that the only way to maintain its military presence in Georgia is to recognize the regions' autonomy."
Zhvania estimated several countries closely associated with Moscow, including Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria, as well as Hizbullah, will also recognize Abkhazia's and south Ossetia's independence.
He stressed that Tbilisi and other countries will take steps in response to such move.
"I estimate that the entire international community will respond accordingly and work to isolate them," he said.
