Medvedev : «Saakachvili
est un cadavre politique»
LE FIGARO: La Russie ne reconnaît plus le président géorgien : «le régime actuel géorgien a fait faillite, le président Saakachvili n'existe plus», a estimé mardi soir le président russe Dmitri Medvedev.

Alors même que les Etats-Unis confient achever d'examiner leurs relations avec la Russie, Moscou a durci soudainement le ton mardi soir face à la Géorgie dont elle ne reconnaît plus le chef de l'Etat. «Pour nous, le régime actuel géorgien a fait faillite. Le président Mikheïl Saakachvili n'existe plus, c'est un cadavre politique», a averti le président russe Dmitri Medvedev. Le locataire du Kremlin a aussi mis en garde Washington qui «n'élimine pas d'éventuelles sanctions». «Moscou ne craint pas d'être exclut du G8», a souligné le président russe. «Les appels qui se font entendre, je les explique exclusivement par la technologie électorale américaine pour faire monter la cote de popularité sur fond de conflit», a-t-il dénoncé, en faisant allusion aux propos tenus dimanche par John McCain. Le sénateur de l'Arizona avait traité Moscou «d'autocratie».

Le chef de l'Etat russe a enjoint la Maiosn-Blanche à «revoir» ses relations avec Tbilissi qui a lancé «une agression se soldant par beaucoup de morts» en Ossétie du Sud. Il a répété que Washington avait aidé le gouvernement de Mikheïl Saakachvili «à construire sa machine de guerre, avec de l'argent et des armements».» Malheureusement, à un certain moment, on a donné à M. Saakachvili carte blanche pour toutes sortes d'actions», a dénoncé le successeur de Vladimir Poutine. En même temps, Dmitri Medvedev a souligné que la Russie était prête à parler avec la communauté internationale «de toutes sortes de questions, dont le règlement post-conflictuel dans le Caucase». «Nous voudrions que la communauté internationale se souvienne de celui qui a commencé l'agression et qui est responsable de la mort des gens», a ajouté le président russe qui a garanti que lson pays allait respecter ses obligations de livraison de gaz vers l'Europe. Medvedev : «Saakachvili
est un cadavre politique» >>> C.J (lefigaro.fr) avec AFP | 2.9.2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Broché)
The Dawning of a new Dark Age (Relié)

Medwedjew würde auch Kalten Krieg riskieren
Foto von Dmitri Medwedjew dank Google Images
WELT ONLINE: Jede Kritik perlt an ihm ab: "Wir haben vor nichts Angst", erwiderte Russlands Präsident Dmitri Medwedjew auf die scharfe Kritik des Westens an seiner Kaukasus-Politik. Auch einen Kalten Krieg mag er nicht ausschließen. Seiner Meinung nach hat Russland den Friedensplan erfüllt. Alles weitere hänge allein vom Westen ab.

Der russische Präsident Dmitri Medwedjew hat nach der Anerkennung der Unabhängigkeit von Abchasien und Südossetien die Standhaftigkeit seines Landes gegenüber dem Westen bekräftigt.

"Wir haben vor nichts Angst, auch nicht vor der Aussicht auf einen Kalten Krieg", sagte Medwedjew am Dienstag in einem Interview des englischsprachigen Fernsehsenders Russia Today. "Natürlich wollen wir das nicht", fügte der Staatschef hinzu. "Alles hängt von der Haltung unserer Partner, der Weltgemeinschaft und unserer Partner im Westen ab."

Auf die Frage, ob Russland auf die Konsequenzen seiner Anerkennung der beiden abtrünnigen georgischen Provinzen vorbereitet sei, sagte Medwedjew: „Wenn der Westen gute Beziehungen zu Russland aufrechterhalten will, wird er die Gründe für eine solche Entscheidung verstehen, und die Lage wird ruhig sein.“ Medwedjew würde auch Kalten Krieg riskieren >>> AFP/DPA/AP/FSL | 26. August 2008

LE FIGARO:
Medvedev n'a pas peur d'une nouvelle «guerre froide» >>> | 26. 08. 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Russia 'Ready for New Cold War' over Georgia: Russia has said it is prepared for a new Cold War, after President Dmitry Medvedev defied the West by formally declaring the independence of two Georgian rebel regions. Shredding any hope that his offensive in Georgia could be rolled back under an internationally agreed ceasefire, Mr Medvedev unilaterally redrew the map of the region by recognising the secession of South Ossetia and Abkhazia after meeting Vladimir Putin, Russia's prime minister, in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Mr Medvedev also gave warning Russia would go to any lengths to defend the enclaves. "We're not afraid of anything [including] the prospect of a Cold War," he said. "Russia is a state which has to ensure its interests along the whole length of its border. This is absolutely clear."

Speaking later about the deployment of a US anti-missile system close to Russian borders, Mr Medvedev said Moscow "will have to react somehow, to react, of course, in a military way." >>> By Adrian Blomfield in Tbilisi and Damien McElroy | August 27, 2008

GLOBE AND MAIL:
Russia Eyes Annexing Georgia, President Warns >>> By Jane Armstrong | August 26, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Taschenbuch) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Gebundene Ausgabe) >>>

Russia Mocks West’s Displeasure over War in Georgia

THE INDEPENDENT: The Kremlin has poured scorn on Western attempts to punish Russia for its invasion of Georgia, saying it was more than happy to be estranged from the international community.

The Kremlin on Monday said it was more than happy to be locked out of international institutions as it poured scorn on Western attempts to punish Russia over its invasion of Georgia.

Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, said he was not bothered if more than a decade of post Cold War rapprochement with Nato was halted altogether. "We are ready to accept any decisions up to halting relations altogether," he said. The president also issued a chilly warning to Moldova of a military response if it followed the Georgian example of trying to regain control of its own breakaway region of Transdniester, whose rebel leadership has long been backed by Russia.

The hard line approach was adopted by Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, who said he saw no merit in joining the World Trade Organization even though Russia has had an outstanding membership application since 1995. "We don't feel or see any advantages from membership, if they exist at all," he said.

While he did not formally abandon accession negotiations, Mr Putin announced that Russia was pulling out of commitments it had earlier signed that were seen as pre-requisites for membership. Russia Mocks West’s Displeasure over War in Georgia >>> By Adrian Blomfield in Gori and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | August 25, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (US) >>>

Despite Pullout, Russia Envisions Long-Term Shift
THE NEW YORK TIMES: MOSCOW — As the Russian Army withdrew most of its forces from Georgia, it was becoming ever more clear on Friday that Moscow had no intention of restoring what once was — either on the ground or diplomatically.

The West wants a return to early August, before an obscure territorial dispute on the fringes of the old Soviet empire erupted into an international crisis. But Russia’s forces are digging in and seizing ribbons of Georgian land that abut two breakaway enclaves allied with Moscow, effectively extending its zone of influence.

At the same time, the Kremlin is nearing formal recognition of the independence of the enclaves, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, possibly as early as next week.

These moves indicate that despite the French-brokered cease-fire framework that Russia accepted, it is striving to maintain considerable economic and military pressure on Georgia, a close ally of the United States. The ultimate goal, it seems, is the ouster of its president, Mikheil Saakashvili, who is detested by the Russian leadership, and the installation of a government that it considers less hostile. Despite Pullout, Russia Envisions Long-Term Shift >>> By Clifford J Levy | August 22, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Georgia Rejects Russian Claims of Withdrawal: Russia's defence minister has said his forces have completed a promised withdrawal from the main body of Georgia into the enclaves of South Ossetia and Abkhazia >>> | August 22, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Even Today, Fighting Might with Might Is Often the Only Solution >>> By John O'Sullivan | August 23, 2008


The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (US) >>>

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Vows Further Retribution against Georgia

THE TELEGRAPH: Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, said Georgian actions would not go 'unpunished' as the United States accused Moscow of deploying short-range missiles to positions within range of the Georgian capital Tbilisi.

Amid few signs that the Kremlin was honouring its latest pledge to withdraw troops, Mr Medvedev also threatened to "crush" any other ex-Soviet states that attempted to follow Georgia's example by killing Russian citizens.

For the first time since the conflict began 11 days ago, Mr Medvedev was allowed to stand in for Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, who has clearly been in charge of running Russia's war.

Giving a passable imitation of his predecessor, the president - who has been given coaching to imitate Mr Putin's abrasive style - adopted an uncompromising position that appeared designed to defy the United States, which has solidly backed Georgia during the conflict.

"What the Georgian authorities did exceeded human understanding," he told troops at a Russian military base in Vladikavkaz, a city in the Caucasus close to the Georgian border. "Their actions cannot be explained and moreover must not go unpunished."

Mr Medvedev gave no hint over what further retribution against Georgia he sought. Russia has already announced plans to launch a genocide investigation against the Georgian government, perhaps with the view to bringing war crimes charges against President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Meanwhile, Pentagon officials confirmed Russia had deployed short-range SS-21 missiles inside the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia, a move that is likely to unnerve Mr Saakashvili's government and undermine the already fragile ceasefire. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Vows Further Retribution against Georgia >>> By Adrian Blomfield near Gori | August 19, 2008

THE NEW YORK TIMES:
Russia Seems to Be Hunkering Down in Georgia >>> By Andrew E Kramer | August 18, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>

Georgia Conflict: Condoleeza Rice Toughens Stance towards Russia

THE TELEGRAPH: Washington has toughened its stance towards Russia as it sought to limit the damage to its prestige over the crisis in Georgia.

On the defensive after criticism that its response to the crisis has failed to stop Russia from prolonging its military operations in Georgia, the Bush administration lashed out at Moscow. Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, said that Russia's reputation was now "in tatters".

But this did not stop Russia from searching for a fresh pretext to extend its occupation of Georgian territory. While President Dmitry Medvedev announced that a troop withdrawal would finally begin on Monday, a spokesman for the Russian defence ministry later accused Georgia of preparing "a major provocative act" in the strategic town of Gori.

Miss Rice, who is to leave Washington for Brussels on Monday for an emergency Nato summit, called on Mr Medvedev to ensure that he carries out his latest promise.

"I hope this time he will keep his word," she said.

"Russia's reputation as a potential partner in international institutions, diplomatic, political, security, economic, is frankly, in tatters.

She added: "Russia will pay a price. We will look seriously with our allies and bilaterally at the consequences of this Russian action ... Georgia will rebuild, Russia's reputation may not be rebuilt." Georgia Conflict: Condoleeza Rice Toughens Stance towards Russia >>> By Alex Spillius in Washington and Adrian Blomfield in Gori | August 18, 2008

THE NEW YORK TIMES:
Russia, Pledging to Leave Georgia, Tightens Its Grip >>> By Michael R. Gordon | August 18, 2008

SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL:
Merkel's Most Serious Foreign Policy Crisis: German Chancellor Angela Merkel is now facing her most serious foreign policy crisis to date. The war in the Caucasus has shattered relations with Russia and sparked disagreements within the EU -- and with the United States >>> By Ralf Beste, Markus Feldenkirchen and Alexander Szandar | August 18, 2008

SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL:
Russia's Strategy Paralyzes US Government: The Bush Administration has warned that ties with Russia are imperiled, but the truth is that the US can undertake little more than symbolic action against Moscow. As much as Russia's actions have irritated the Americans, no one is interested in an escalation >>> By Gregor Peter Schmitz in Washington, D.C. | August 15, 2008

TIMESONLINE:
Cross Us and We’ll Crush You, Warns Medvedev >>> By Philippe Naughton | August 18, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (US) >>>