Russia roars in Georgia, West mulls response

As Medvedev recognises rebel areas even at the cost of renewed Cold War, pressure piles on U S, Europe to find ways to punish Moscow.

The US and its European allies, stung by Russia8217;s formal recognition of two separatist Georgian enclaves, faced new pressure on Tuesday to strike back diplomatically and politically against the Kremlin8217;s widening move to assert its power in the Caucasus.

U S officials, who have shunned a military response, did not publicly specify available options. But privately, they cited the possibility of excluding Russia from a number of international institutions, such as the World Trade Organization. They also could try to pressure Moscow through economic measures that pinch the wallets or limit the mobility of Russia8217;s wealthy elite and middle class, including restrictions on travel to the West.

Russia8217;s President Dmitry Medvedev stunned the West on Tuesday evening announcing the Kremlin8217;s recognition of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, even at the risk of wrecking two decades of economic, political and diplomatic bonds with its Cold War antagonists.

8220;We are not afraid of anything, including the prospect of a Cold War,8221; a grim-faced Medvedev said on Russian national television, triggering wild celebrations on the streets of the two rebel capitals. If the West wished to loosen ties with Moscow on this issue, then so be it, he added.

Medvedev also promised a Russian military response to a U S missile defense system in Europe, which Washington says is intended to counter threats from Iran and North Korea, but Russia says is aimed at blunting Moscow8217;s nuclear capability.

Hours later, leading Western European members of the old Cold War coalition reached out to reassure former Soviet republics.

U S President George W. Bush condemned Moscow8217;s recognition of the two enclaves as 8220;irresponsible.8221; In a statement, Bush declared that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are part of Georgia, 8220;and they must remain so.8221; 8220;Russia8217;s action only exacerbates tensions and complicates diplomatic negotiations,8221; he said

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Bush was quickly joined in the criticism by France, Britain and Germany.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in Estonia, said the Russian move 8220;contradicts the principle of territorial integrity.8221; Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the French deputy ambassador to the U N, said Russia had made it 8220;much more complicated8221; to continue discussions aimed at a compromise solution. And British Foreign Minister David Miliband planned a visit to Ukraine today.

The U S and Europe, while denouncing Russia8217;s recent military advance into Georgia, an ally of the West, have taken few strong measures to counter it to avoid alienating Moscow. On Tuesday, the White House said 8220;there8217;s time8221; to spell out specific consequences for Russia. 8220;We are reviewing our relationship with Russia; Europe is reviewing its relationship with Russia,8221; said Tony Fratto, a White House spokesman, while complaining of Moscow8217;s 8220;irrational decisions.8221;

Meanwhile, a U S military official confirmed that the Coast Guard cutter Dallas would not unload supplies in the Georgian port of Poti, but denied that the change in U S plans resulted from warnings by Russia.

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Russia is widely expected to move quickly to increase its military presence in the regions. Leaders of Abzakhia and South Ossetia were already talking on Tuesday about signing defence agreements with Russia; the South Ossetian president said he would ask Moscow to build a military base in the republic.