BRUSSELS -- The Cold War was never over and the U.S. sees Russia as an enemy, Dmitry Rogozin says.
Source: Tanjug, Večernje novosti
Close the entire text of the article here
Speaking about the Georgian attack on South Ossetia, Rogozin said that without support from abroad, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, "even though he is mentally unstable", would never have undertaken "this thoughtless plan".
"Everybody is convinced that America delivered arms, gave money and took care of the leading Georgian Army figures. Just before the attack, the U.S. and Georgian militaries conducted a joint exercise. We don't know if the U.S. soldiers left Georgia at all before Saakashvili's aggression started," he continued.
Asked whether the situation in Kosovo would have developed differently had the crisis in Georgia preceded it, Rogozin said that Russia's position is "always consistent and permanent".
"As you recall, we have for years supported the territorial integrity of both countries – Serbia and Georgia. But, after the Georgian massacre, we are doubtful if Ossetians and Abkhazis can live with Georgians," he explained.
Rogozin also said that the situations in Kosovo and the two Georgian breakaway regions are completely different.
"In the first case, the land which is absolutely Serb was snatched by [ethnic] Albanians who became a vast majority thanks to the exodus of the local Serb population. Serbs were running away from bandits that had NATO support. In the second case, Georgia is trying to hold on to a region that never belonged to it."
"This province is merely a gift they were given by Georgian Stalin while they were a part of the USSR," he said of South Ossetia.
"The Kosovo separatists were supported by Western politicians, while in the case of South Ossetia and Abkhazia they insist on Georgia's territorial integrity. Naturally, all participants in frozen conflicts considered the recognition of Kosovo a pure precedent," Rogozin told the newspaper.
Asked whether Russia could have done more in order for Kosovo not to see a similar fate, the Russian diplomat said that "Russia of 1999 and Russia today are not the same country".
"No, they are not the same country at all! I think that today the NATO bombing would have been less likely and that history would have taken a different course," he said.
But the future of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, according to Rogozin, is not up to Russia, or other countries to decide.
"As President [Dmitry] Medvedev and Premier [Vladimir] Putin have said, we will accept any status decisions these provinces reach. As far as I'm concerned, I do not predict their life with Georgians after all that has taken place. Georgia proved itself to be unsustainable even in its de facto borders," the Russian NATO ambassador warned.
Asked to comment on Washington's reaction to the crisis and whether he thought Americans would use their army to help Georgia, Rogozin said that Russia "expected a more comprehensive reaction from the West".
"Obviously, America has invested a lot in the Saakashvili project, to now abandon him after his genocidal actions where he didn't even try to save their reputation," he continued.
Asked whether all this means that a new Cold War is ahead of us, Rogozin said that "unfortunately, obviously, it never ended".
"We in Russia said that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the conflict was over and we were all 'friends'. It is clear now that that's not the case. America sees Russia as an enemy regardless of whether it’s a communist or a democratic country. The missile shield agreement signed in a hurry between Poland and America is blatant proof for that," he said.
As for Russia's expectations regarding a NATO reaction, Rogozin said that "if the NATO countries did not have enough courage and honor to support Russia, we hope that at the very least they will be smart enough not to spoil their cooperation with Russia because of Saakashvili's mental breakdown".
"For the time being, Russia will not degrade her relations with NATO, but Moscow's future position will depend on whether the members of the North-Atlantic Alliance will undertake hostile action. Regardless of the fact that some aspects of the military cooperation have been put on hold, or cancelled, Moscow will not be the one to initiate a degrading of relations," Rogozin concluded.
“ "As you recall, we have for years supported the territorial integrity of both countries – Serbia and Georgia. But, after the Georgian massacre, we are doubtful if Ossetians and Abkhazis can live with Georgians," he explained.”
He should remember what Belgrade-aligned forces made in Bosnia and Kosovo… but wait! Rogozing certainly remebers… he was in Bosnia with Mladic ([link]) in the 90's!
(Bad Gorilla, 23 August 2008 09:29)
It appears comrade Rogozin is right: the Cold War never ended; the Soviet propaganda machine kept on turning!
His false, alternate history of Kosova is pure propaganda; no doubt something his fellow comrades have long experience with!
(Mark (Shqype), 23 August 2008 07:47)
USA wasnt/isnt trying to destroy Russia/CCCP because of "Communism" or lack of (capitalist) democracy (which anyone with an IQ over 50 knows is not really democracy at all). It was about the very year of USAs preminance as the worlds major capitalist power coincided with the Russian Revolution which closed off 1/5 of the plants surface to American imperialism. Putin has to a large extent, gradually closed it off again and this has conincided with a gradual worsening of relations.
(Magnus, 23 August 2008 04:42)
We have learned a very important lesson from history.
The same wolves will always gather at Serbian door.
They may come in different uniforms but the message will always be the same.
The only way Orthodox people will be able to survive and live in peace is to unite and make powerful friends.
It's no coincidence that Russia has always been attacked, either from outside or from inside. The same goes for Serbia. The Muslim world and the Vatican have always united against the Orthodox and today is no different.
At least there are Catholic countries who don't listen, but the Vatican even hid the Nazis after the war.
There is no other way. Russia and other Orthodox countries must unite and welcome powerful friends into the union.
This is not for aggressive purposes but defensive purposes. Once this union is strong the world will have peace as Russia and other Orthodox countries are not invaders by nature but have been invaded time and time again.
(Peggy, 23 August 2008 02:30)
This person doesn't know the first thing about Kosova. Not once in history, not now or 5,000 years ago were [ethnic] Serbs a majority in Kosova.
Until the 7th century us Albanians lived in peace and prosperity. All guests go home sometime.
(L*O*G*I*C, 23 August 2008 00:04)
What he says about the cold war is right. The American people have always viewed Russia as the enemy the "end of the cold war" was nothing more than not seeing Russia as a powerful enemy but still the enemy.
When I was growing up the threat of a war with Russia was always in the back of our minds. We heard about the propaganda generated by Russia. I always questioned whether maybe we were the subjects of much propaganda also. Now as times have changed and I have become familiar with the Kosovo situation and the statements coming out of Russia, I understand what propaganda is.
Those who were quick to claim the US was afraid to confront Russia in Georgia are just plan stupid. Both Russia and the US know that a true war between the two will result with no winners and the end of civilization as it is known today. The true judgement day.
(sp, 22 August 2008 23:41)
The West and in particular the UNited States has always viewd the Serbs as "little Russia". Just look at the main players who always advocated war on Serbia-men Like Zbigniew Brezinski. These are hardcore cold warriors who armed and trained the Afghan Mujahadeen than later armed and trained similiar islamic forces in Bosnia and Kosovo. Zbigniew brezinski is a regular on american media outlets, even his daughter is now an anchor on a US network.
Thier greatest weapon is the media. It is time for the Russians and thier Serbian allies to follow the Arab example of Al Jazeera----form our own media outlets-tell the truth, and challenge the lies coming out of western financed media outlets in the west, The US and yes-serbia. The world is thirsty for another opinion not just the same old worn out hype coming out of cnn, msnbc, fox and thier like in Belgrade.
free media is dead, long live the free media
(Milan Radosavljevic, 22 August 2008 21:28)
The West and in particular the UNited States has always viewd the Serbs as "little Russia". Just look at the main players who always advocated war on Serbia-men Like Zbigniew Brezinski. These are hardcore cold warriors who armed and trained the Afghan Mujahadeen than later armed and trained similiar islamic forces in Bosnia and Kosovo. Zbigniew brezinski is a regular on american media outlets, even his daughter is now an anchor on a US network.
Thier greatest weapon is the media. It is time for the Russians and thier Serbian allies to follow the Arab example of Al Jazeera----form our own media outlets-tell the truth, and challenge the lies coming out of western financed media outlets in the west, The US and yes-serbia. The world is thirsty for another opinion not just the same old worn out hype coming out of cnn, msnbc, fox and thier like in Belgrade.
free media is dead, long live the free media
(Milan Radosavljevic, 22 August 2008 21:28)
This person doesn't know the first thing about Kosova. Not once in history, not now or 5,000 years ago were [ethnic] Serbs a majority in Kosova.
Until the 7th century us Albanians lived in peace and prosperity. All guests go home sometime.
(L*O*G*I*C, 23 August 2008 00:04)
What he says about the cold war is right. The American people have always viewed Russia as the enemy the "end of the cold war" was nothing more than not seeing Russia as a powerful enemy but still the enemy.
When I was growing up the threat of a war with Russia was always in the back of our minds. We heard about the propaganda generated by Russia. I always questioned whether maybe we were the subjects of much propaganda also. Now as times have changed and I have become familiar with the Kosovo situation and the statements coming out of Russia, I understand what propaganda is.
Those who were quick to claim the US was afraid to confront Russia in Georgia are just plan stupid. Both Russia and the US know that a true war between the two will result with no winners and the end of civilization as it is known today. The true judgement day.
(sp, 22 August 2008 23:41)
We have learned a very important lesson from history.
The same wolves will always gather at Serbian door.
They may come in different uniforms but the message will always be the same.
The only way Orthodox people will be able to survive and live in peace is to unite and make powerful friends.
It's no coincidence that Russia has always been attacked, either from outside or from inside. The same goes for Serbia. The Muslim world and the Vatican have always united against the Orthodox and today is no different.
At least there are Catholic countries who don't listen, but the Vatican even hid the Nazis after the war.
There is no other way. Russia and other Orthodox countries must unite and welcome powerful friends into the union.
This is not for aggressive purposes but defensive purposes. Once this union is strong the world will have peace as Russia and other Orthodox countries are not invaders by nature but have been invaded time and time again.
(Peggy, 23 August 2008 02:30)
“ "As you recall, we have for years supported the territorial integrity of both countries – Serbia and Georgia. But, after the Georgian massacre, we are doubtful if Ossetians and Abkhazis can live with Georgians," he explained.”
He should remember what Belgrade-aligned forces made in Bosnia and Kosovo… but wait! Rogozing certainly remebers… he was in Bosnia with Mladic ([link]) in the 90's!
(Bad Gorilla, 23 August 2008 09:29)
It appears comrade Rogozin is right: the Cold War never ended; the Soviet propaganda machine kept on turning!
His false, alternate history of Kosova is pure propaganda; no doubt something his fellow comrades have long experience with!
(Mark (Shqype), 23 August 2008 07:47)
USA wasnt/isnt trying to destroy Russia/CCCP because of "Communism" or lack of (capitalist) democracy (which anyone with an IQ over 50 knows is not really democracy at all). It was about the very year of USAs preminance as the worlds major capitalist power coincided with the Russian Revolution which closed off 1/5 of the plants surface to American imperialism. Putin has to a large extent, gradually closed it off again and this has conincided with a gradual worsening of relations.
(Magnus, 23 August 2008 04:42)
This person doesn't know the first thing about Kosova. Not once in history, not now or 5,000 years ago were [ethnic] Serbs a majority in Kosova.
Until the 7th century us Albanians lived in peace and prosperity. All guests go home sometime.
(L*O*G*I*C, 23 August 2008 00:04)
We have learned a very important lesson from history.
The same wolves will always gather at Serbian door.
They may come in different uniforms but the message will always be the same.
The only way Orthodox people will be able to survive and live in peace is to unite and make powerful friends.
It's no coincidence that Russia has always been attacked, either from outside or from inside. The same goes for Serbia. The Muslim world and the Vatican have always united against the Orthodox and today is no different.
At least there are Catholic countries who don't listen, but the Vatican even hid the Nazis after the war.
There is no other way. Russia and other Orthodox countries must unite and welcome powerful friends into the union.
This is not for aggressive purposes but defensive purposes. Once this union is strong the world will have peace as Russia and other Orthodox countries are not invaders by nature but have been invaded time and time again.
(Peggy, 23 August 2008 02:30)
The West and in particular the UNited States has always viewd the Serbs as "little Russia". Just look at the main players who always advocated war on Serbia-men Like Zbigniew Brezinski. These are hardcore cold warriors who armed and trained the Afghan Mujahadeen than later armed and trained similiar islamic forces in Bosnia and Kosovo. Zbigniew brezinski is a regular on american media outlets, even his daughter is now an anchor on a US network.
Thier greatest weapon is the media. It is time for the Russians and thier Serbian allies to follow the Arab example of Al Jazeera----form our own media outlets-tell the truth, and challenge the lies coming out of western financed media outlets in the west, The US and yes-serbia. The world is thirsty for another opinion not just the same old worn out hype coming out of cnn, msnbc, fox and thier like in Belgrade.
free media is dead, long live the free media
(Milan Radosavljevic, 22 August 2008 21:28)
USA wasnt/isnt trying to destroy Russia/CCCP because of "Communism" or lack of (capitalist) democracy (which anyone with an IQ over 50 knows is not really democracy at all). It was about the very year of USAs preminance as the worlds major capitalist power coincided with the Russian Revolution which closed off 1/5 of the plants surface to American imperialism. Putin has to a large extent, gradually closed it off again and this has conincided with a gradual worsening of relations.
(Magnus, 23 August 2008 04:42)
It appears comrade Rogozin is right: the Cold War never ended; the Soviet propaganda machine kept on turning!
His false, alternate history of Kosova is pure propaganda; no doubt something his fellow comrades have long experience with!
(Mark (Shqype), 23 August 2008 07:47)
“ "As you recall, we have for years supported the territorial integrity of both countries – Serbia and Georgia. But, after the Georgian massacre, we are doubtful if Ossetians and Abkhazis can live with Georgians," he explained.”
He should remember what Belgrade-aligned forces made in Bosnia and Kosovo… but wait! Rogozing certainly remebers… he was in Bosnia with Mladic ([link]) in the 90's!
(Bad Gorilla, 23 August 2008 09:29)
What he says about the cold war is right. The American people have always viewed Russia as the enemy the "end of the cold war" was nothing more than not seeing Russia as a powerful enemy but still the enemy.
When I was growing up the threat of a war with Russia was always in the back of our minds. We heard about the propaganda generated by Russia. I always questioned whether maybe we were the subjects of much propaganda also. Now as times have changed and I have become familiar with the Kosovo situation and the statements coming out of Russia, I understand what propaganda is.
Those who were quick to claim the US was afraid to confront Russia in Georgia are just plan stupid. Both Russia and the US know that a true war between the two will result with no winners and the end of civilization as it is known today. The true judgement day.
(sp, 22 August 2008 23:41)