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Op-Ed Contributor
Crossfire War - DM Ivanov States Russia has No Plans to Annex Georgia - BUT
By Willard Payne
Crossfire War - MOSCOW WATCH - South Caucasus Theatre: Moscow - Sukhumi - Tskhinvili/Tbilisi; "Russia Has No Plans to Annex Georgian Territories" - DM Ivanov - BUT (Plans are in Place IF)
Night Watch: MOSCOW - BUT the plans are in place IF Tbilisi starts something. That was the ominous hint from Russia Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov speaking in an interview with Russia TV channel Rossiya. "Russia has no plans to annex Georgian territories. But will not ignore acts of aggression against its citizens in Abkhazia and South Ossetia."
Ivanov is also a Deputy Prime Minister and last year it was mentioned that he is Vladimir Putin's successor, which is perhaps why Ivanov no longer looks youthful but increasingly stern and non-negotiable. That is probably why ever since Tbilisi arrested the four Russian officers most of Moscow's statements have been made by Ivanov instead of President Putin or the Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. [RIA]
Ivanov continued, "We are often criticized for alleged annexation of part of Georgian territories, Abkhazia - South Ossetia. We do not annex these territories and have no intention to do it in future. On the contrary, during 15 years the Georgian leadership has done everything to push these autonomies from Georgia." He added Russia has no intention of going to war with "friendly Georgian people" but, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are different matters because Russian peacekeepers and many Russian citizens reside in the separatists republics. Under Russian law its military bases are part of Russian territory even if the bases are in another country.
He concluded ominously, "If Georgia launches a military action against our peacekeepers and citizens in Abkhazia-South Ossetia, if it starts genocide and ethnic cleansing campaign, Russia will not ignore these actions." Moscow may be anticipating such a crisis with the deploying of more troop and armor units in South Ossetia last week.
In the tense standoff any conflicting incident could provide the spark. Tbilisi may even begin it and claim self-defense. In the meantime I assume Ivanov noticed the invitation Georgia Foreign Minister received yesterday to visit Tehran as soon as possible, which is why Moscow may start it and in the name of securing Russian territory.
Night Watch Information Service
http://www.crossfirewar.com
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