Russian Federation
Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the Russian recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Press Release
http://www.nato.int/docu/pr/2008/p08-108e.html
The North Atlantic Council condemns the decision of the Russian Federation to extend recognition to the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia and calls upon Russia to reverse its decision.
Russia’s decision violates the many UN Security Council resolutions it has endorsed regarding Georgia’s territorial integrity, and is inconsistent with the fundamental OSCE principles on which stability in Europe is based. Russia’s actions have called into question its commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus.
“Rubezh 2008”: The First Large-Scale CSTO Military Exercise
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) joint command and staff exercise Rubezh 2008 is being held in Russia and Armenia in summer-autumn 2008. The aim of Rubezh 2008 is to help develop the military component of the CSTO states (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan). For the first time in the CSTO history the military exercise is conducted at three levels: operative, strategic, and tactical, covering all areas of collective security. About 4,000 servicemen from Armenia, Russia and Tajikistan participate in these maneuvers. Other CSTO members are represented by military staff from respective defense ministries.
