‘Georgia Can Kiss NATO Goodbye’: From Cotidianul of Romania
August 11th, 2008
By WILLIAM KERN
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Having labored under the yoke of Soviet domination in the very recent past, the countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus have a visceral feel for the politics of the now blossoming conflict between Russia and its former territory Georgia.
As far as this situation ending well for Georgia, the editorial board of Romania’s Cotidianul newspaper has little of comfort to offer.
Writing of President Bush, the editorial says in part:
“In no case will he jump to defend the territorial integrity of Georgia with weapon in hand, even though there are still 100 American soldiers there training Georgian troops. The times when Russia was a weak state and that the U.S. could build a bridge to Georgia are over.”
In regard to the timing of Georgian membership in NATO, the editorial goes on:
“The Moscow Bear cannot be challenged through the bars of its own cage: Georgia is within Russia’s sphere of influence, which is why Tbilisi has no reason to hope for NATO entry anytime soon.”
EDITORIAL
Translated By Mircea Ionescu
August 9, 2008
Romania - Cotidianul - Original Article (Romanian)
Georgian President Mihail Saakshvili tried to force President Bush’s hand by declaring on CNN that, “it’s in the interest of America to intervene; this isn’t just about Georgia, it’s about American principles.” Nevertheless, it’s hard to believe that George W. Bush will do more than seek an end to the violence and express a willingness to mediate talks between the parties. In no case will he jump to defend the territorial integrity of Georgia with weapon in hand, even though there are still 100 American soldiers there training Georgian troops. The times when Russia was a weak state and that the U.S. could build a bridge to Georgia are over.
Moreover, now, with the once-frozen conflict in South Ossetia on the boil, it appears that Franco-German reservations (especially German) about including Georgia and Ukraine in the Alliance’s Military Action Plan [MAP] at the last NATO summit in Bucharest were well-founded.
Let’s say hypothetically that the tiny state had joined NATO and that the issues between Georgia and Russia over South Osettia and Abkhazia hadn’t been resolved.
In a situation similar to today’s, in which Russia had sent tanks into South Osettia - Georgian territory - Tbilisi could have invoked Article 5 of the NATO Charter: If one member state is attacked, it’s considered an attack on all.
READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated foreign press coverage of the crisis in the Caucuses as it impinges on our nation. More articles from France, Germany and Poland expected in the next 36 hours.
This entry was posted on Monday, August 11th, 2008 at 8:24 pm and is filed under Eastern Europe, Foreign Policy, Military Affairs, EU, Oil, Angela Merkel, Newspapers, Pentagon, Romania, Diplomacy, European Union, Pro-Democracy Movements, State Department, Nicolas Sarkozy, Cartoons, Energy, War, Political Cartoons, Military, Foreign Affairs, Minorities, George W. Bush, Germany, Foreign Politics, France, Genocide, Cartoon Commentary, Europe. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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