Tension Mounting between Russia and Georgia

Tension between Russia and Georgia is escalating. Russian President Bladimir Putin said on September 11 that the country “will exercise its right to self-defense if Georgia fails to restore safety and security in the region bordering with Russia.”

His remarks are seen as an ultimatum before military strikes on Chechen rebels believed to hide out near the common border.

Putin has reportedly directed his military staff to provide proposals on whether it is possible and expedient to launch strikes on targets in Pankisi gorge across the border.

Georgia, which has been in bad terms with Russia since its independence in 1991, expressed surprise at the hard stance. Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said that he didn’t believe Russia is intent to violate the sovereignty of the country and he will soon talk with Putin on that matter.

Russia, however, toughened its stance saying it will discuss the issue at a U.N. General Assembly meeting set for September 12.

Behind the hard stance, however, lies Russia’s intention to tame the troublesome neighbor. Putin made the remarks on the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks emphasizing that he is waging a war against terrorism. By staving off criticism from the West citing the war on terrorism, Russia looks set to clamp down on Georgia, which has provided a sanctuary for Chechen rebels.

The relationship between the two countries has been soured since Shevardnadze, pro-American leader who once served as foreign affairs minister in Former Soviet Union, came to power in 1995.

He sought NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) membership while withdrawing from CIS (Central Independent States). Earlier this year, he hosted a group of American military advisors, further provoking Russia by forcing it to close its military bases and pull out forces.

Ki-Hyun Kim kimkihy@donga.com