Russia Faces Increasing Pressure to Withdraw From Ossetia

by Dan Forrest
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia - Moscow is facing increasing pressure from leaders around the globe to end its occupation of the Ossetia region in Georgia.  Pursuant to a cease fire agreement reached between the parties last week, Russia is required to pull its forces back from this region by the end of this week.  Unfortunately, recent developments suggest that Russia may not honor the contract. 

As of Wednesday, Russian forces were digging deep sentry posts inside Georgia, a move that would seem unlikely if their intention was truly to withdraw.

In response, nations throughout Europe are organizing themselves to determine the best way to bring a peaceful resolution to this conflict.  Convincing Russia to withdraw, many believe, will be no easy task.  Top governments from Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Baltic states are now coordinating with Germany, a country that hasn't always been friendly to them, to ask Russia to withdraw.  Germany may have the most influence with Russia, given close ties between the leaderships of the two nations.

In a related development, Abkhazia has asked Russia to recognize its independence from Georgia.  This brings the question of territorial rights and authority once again to the forefront of the debate.  Russia insists that Abkhazia should be allowed to determine its own national allegiances, while the western powers strongly believe that Georgia should retain its current boundaries.

"South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia," President Bush recently declared.  He also said that "the United States will work with our allies to assure Georgia's independence and territorial integrity." 

President Bush also declared Russia's recent invasion of Georgia a "disproportionate response" to Georgia's military action following several separatist attacks in the region.

For more information, please see:

CNN - Breakaway region asks Russia to recognize independence - 20 August 2008

Impunity Watch - BRIEF: Officials flee as Russia Assault in South Ossetia Continues - 9 August 2008

International Herald Tribune - Merkel and Georgia: The Pressure's on her - 20 August 2008

Yahoo - In Georgia, Russia digs in as pullback date nears - 20 August 2008