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Russia recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:00:00 +0200

Defying the predictions of most analysts, on Tuesday Russian President Dimitri Medvedev announced that the Russian Federation had officially recognized the independence of the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, just one day after the two Russian legislative houses approved non-binding resolutions on the issue.

Once again, the Russian Federation has demonstrated its power on the international scene. Some analysts did not believe Medvedev would dare recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent, particularly under the present climate. It was said that Russia was not interested in straining already tense relations with the West and that recognizing the independence of the breakaway republics could be counter-productive in terms of Russia's own territorial conflicts in the North Caucasus with Chechnya and, to a lesser extent, Ingushetia.

But it has become increasingly clear since Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, facilitated by the European Union and the United States, that Russia has no intention whatsoever of giving any ground.

According to the BBC, at a televised press conference held on Tuesday Medvedev revealed that he had signed the necessary decrees officially recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent. But it remains to be seen which reason Moscow will give for acknowledging the sovereignty of the two Caucasian republics. In an article published by RFE/RL, Victor Yasmann says that Moscow is unlikely to emphasise the concept of self-determination to avoid the possibility of a chain-reaction within the Russian Federation and other former Soviet Republics. "Instead," he predicted, "[Russia] will actively push arguments related to charges of Georgian ‘genocide'." It is also worth mentioning that both South Ossetia and Abkhazia have held referendums in recent years on independence from Georgia, and the separatist camp won in both countries.

It is difficult to predict what consequences the Kremlin's latest decision will have. But recognition of Abkhaz and South Ossetian independence will clearly not make relations between Russia and the West any easier. On Monday, US President George Bush warned Moscow not to go ahead with plans to recognize the breakaway republics, since "Abkhazia and South Ossetia are within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia, and they must remain so."

Further information:

BBC: Russia recognises Georgian rebels
Russia Today: Medvedev backs independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
The New York Times: Bush Presses Russia Not to Recognize Georgia Regions
RFE/RL: The Looming Diplomatic War Between Russia And The West

Indigenous Peruvians force Congress to repeal decrees promoting private investment in their territory

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:00:00 +0200

Following more than ten days of protests, Peru's indigenous communities have succeeded in forcing Congress to repeal two decrees promoting private investment in areas inhabited by the indigenous population. President Alan García had hoped the measure, which was designed to facilitate property sales, would increase investment and development in indigenous territory.

But members of the indigenous communities were outraged by the lack of consultation. The Peruvian Constitution and Convention no. 169 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) both protect the rights of indigenous peoples to consultation in such circumstances.

According to IPS Noticias, one of the new decrees (no. 1,015) stipulates that, in order for communal lands to be "taxed, leased, or used in any other way [...] in the interests of private companies", a simple majority of members of community assemblies would need to be in favour. Previous legislation stipulates that a two-thirds majority is required.

On Friday, after more than a week of protests, Congress witnessed an unusual alliance between the opposition and parties that normally support the party currently in power, the Partido Aprista Peruano (PAP, Peruvian Aprista Party). In the end, the PAP was alone in backing the new legislation, with 29 votes in favour and 66 against. But the Government is still intending to push the decrees through parliament, and some indigenous leaders, such as the President of the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Jungle (AIDESEP), Alberto Pizango, have threatened the Government with further protests if it fails to overturn the decrees definitively. Pizango has also once again said that the indigenous communities are willing to negotiate.

Further information:

IPS Noticias: PERÚ: Indígenas ganan batalla en el parlamento
RPP Noticias: Alberto Pizango: Nativos quieren escuchar decisión final del Ejecutivo
Prensa Latina: Indígenas hacen advertencia a gobierno peruano

Transnistria conflict could resume following war in Georgia

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:00:00 +0200

Most Russian troops have now withdrawn from Georgian territory and violence between the two countries has come to an end. But the war of diplomacy is still raging, and any movement by either of the two sides that emerged during the conflict has the potential to change the balance of power. All eyes could soon be on another hot spot in Eastern Europe, Transnistria.

Transnistria is a long, narrow strip of land between Moldova and Ukraine. Like South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Northern Cyprus, it is a de facto independent republic but its sovereignty is not internationally recognized. Officially within the borders of Moldovan territory, Transnistria declared its independence in 1990 and, after a war with Moldova in 1992, it set up its own democratic apparatus, a multi-party system, a parliament and a government based in Tiraspol, the capital.

Since its declaration of independence and the ensuing war, Transnistria has openly been backed by Russia. Although it does not officially recognize Transnistrian sovereignty, Russia has defended the country against Moldova in diplomatic and military terms and maintains peacekeeping forces there, as in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Ten days ago the President of Transnistria, Igor Smirnov, took advantage of the international interest in the Russia-Georgia conflict to denounce "the aggression of Georgian nationalists". He was quick to draw a comparison between Transnistria and the Caucasian breakaway republics: "If European legislation is grounded on this type of democracy, the choice of Abkhazia, Ossetia and Transnistria to become independent states is well-founded". "If Europe really wants peace and calm," he urged, "it must not hesitate in recognizing our independence".

Moldova and Romania are also aware that the situation in Transnistria is dangerously similar to that of South Ossetia. This week, Romanian President Traian Basescu said that "efforts to keep the peace in Transnistria are at breaking point and, given the right political conditions, conflict could erupt at any time". He went on to say that "events in Georgia have shown that we are unprepared. The events of the past weeks could be repeated in any other zone where there is a ‘frozen conflict'". Meanwhile, The Moscow Times reported on Friday that the President of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin, has asked the European Union to help Chisinau find a "peaceful solution to the crisis in the separatist region of Transnistria".

Further information:

Le Courrier des Balkans: Crise géorgienne : la Transnistrie en profite pour réclamer sa reconnaissance
Moldova.org: Basescu: Transdniestrian conflict could break out
The Moscow Times: Moldova Seeks EU Help

Further UN talks to solve name dispute between Macedonia and Greece

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:00:00 +0200

Matthew Nimetz, the UN mediator in the naming dispute between Athens and Skopje, is again holding talks with Greek and Macedonian leaders in the hope of coming to an agreement. Nimetz has proposed that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, a name that the Macedonian people do not accept, be renamed Northern Macedonia, or a variation on this name. Nimetz's principal aim is to satisfy the Greeks, a difficult task since Athens argues that any mention of the word Macedonia - also the name of a Greek region - would give Skopje an excuse to seize territory in northern Greece.

The aim of this further round of informal talks is to lay the foundations for the next UN General Assembly next autumn. According to BalkanInsight.com, the United States is particularly keen to see the naming dispute resolved to clear the way for Macedonia to join NATO. Macedonian membership is currently vetoed by Greece. The same source, citing the Greek media, says that Athens does not expect any progress to be made at the new meeting with Nimetz because the Greek position remains unchanged.

The meetings come just a few days after Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevksi sent letters to NATO, OSCE and UN members asking them to put pressure on Greece to acknowledge the Macedonian minority living in Greece, as well as seeking support in the ongoing naming dispute. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has since told Gruevski to concentrate on solving the name dispute before raising other issues. Nimetz, for his part, is refusing to get involved in the second debate and has said that his job is simply to come up with a name for Macedonia that is acceptable to both parties.

Further information:

BalkanInsight.com: 'Northern Macedonia' Name May be in Pipeline
UN News Centre: Fresh talks on former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia name issue - UN

Russia expected to recognize independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on Monday

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:00:00 +0200

On Wednesday the Parliament of Abkhazia, one of the two de facto independent republics within the Georgian state, officially asked the Russian Government to recognize its independence and to maintain its military presence in Abkhazia. Eduard Kokoity, the president of the other self-proclaimed republic, South Ossetia, has said that his country will follow suit very soon. Russian sources, meanwhile, have revealed that a special meeting of the Federation Council, the Russian upper house, will take place on Monday to discuss the issue.

NouvelObs.com reports that the president of the Council has stated that the house is "ready" to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states "if this is the wish of the peoples of these republics".

But the final status of the breakaway republics remains uncertain. Russia is unlikely simply to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states and is expected to increase its influence over the territories, either by annexing them (especially in the case of South Ossetia) or by giving them a status of associated republic (more likely for Abkhazia).

Accusations of ethnic cleansing
As journalists and humanitarian aid staff reach the scene of the conflict, a clearer picture of the level of violence is emerging. Survivors have accused both sides of killing civilians indiscriminately, as reported here by The New York Times and here by Caucasian knot.

Further information:

Nouvel Observateur: Abkhazie et Ossétie veulent voir leur indépendance reconnue
Courrier International: Géorgie: les Russes tardent à se retirer, sont prêts à reconnaître l'Abkhazie et l'Ossétie du Sud
The New York Times: Survivors in Georgia Tell of Ethnic Killings
Caucasian Knot: Russia brings case on genocide in South Ossetia

Six months after independence declared international recognition of Kosovo at a standstill

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:00:00 +0200

Sunday 17 August marked the six month anniversary of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia. Since then, Pristina's authority has been recognized by 45 (or 23%) of the 192 member-states of the United Nations. But a much greater proportion of European Union members have officially recognized Kosovo: 20 (or 70%) of the 27 states have so far acknowledged the legitimacy of Kosovo.

But very few states - only 10 in fact - have officially recognized Kosovo since April. And most of these are European states, with most countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia still unwilling to acknowledge the new state's existence.

Although the recognition process has come to a standstill, Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaci remains optimistic, focusing instead on the countries, including a number of Arab states, that are expected to recognize Kosovo in the near future. He has also emphasized the fact that, while some countries have not recognized Kosovar independence, they do accept Kosovar passports. The Kosovo administration has issued 55,000 passports so far. The documents have been made to European standards in the hope that the EU will soon suspend the visa restrictions faced by Kosovar citizens wishing to travel in Europe.

EULEX takes over from UNMIK
The United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which administered the former province of Serbia for nine years, has also been in the news in recent days. It has been announced that UNMIK staff will leave Kosovo by the end of the autumn, following a gradual handover of powers to the new government. However, the international presence in Kosovo will remain in the form of EULEX, the European Union mission responsible for security, law and order in the country. According to Yves de Kermabon, head of the mission, EULEX will be fully operational before the winter, even if Serbia and Russia denounce the mission as illegal.

Més informació:

B92: Thaci counting on Muslim recognitions
BalkanInsight.com: EU's Kosovo Mission 'Ready by end of Autumn'
Countries that have recognised the Kosovo state
Nationalia: Kosovo a step closer towards sovereignty as the new state's constitution takes effect

Kosovo/Kosovë

General information
Population: 2.300.000 inhabitants (2008)
Area: 10.887 km²
State administration: Kosovo
Institutions: Government of Kosovo and Parliament of Kosovo
Major cities: Pristine, Mitrovica, Decani, Gracanica, Pec, Prizren
Territorial language: Albanian and Serbo-Croatian
Official language: Albanian and Serbo-Croatian
Major religion: 1.Islam 2.Eastern Orthodox Church