US criticises 'occupation' of Georgia regions by Russia

THE UNITED States has condemned Russia’s “occupation” of two breakaway regions of Georgia, and sought to allay fears that ex-Soviet states could suffer as Washington seeks to “reset” relations with Moscow.

“I came to Georgia with a clear message from President Obama and myself: the United States is steadfast in its commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” secretary of state Hillary Clinton told Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili in his country’s capital, Tbilisi.

“We continue to call for Russia to abide by the August 2008 ceasefire commitment ... including by ending the occupation and withdrawing Russian troops from South Ossetia and Abkhazia to their pre-conflict positions,” she added, referring to rebel provinces that Moscow recognised as independent states after fighting a brief war with Georgia two years ago.

Mr Saakashvili was widely blamed for launching attacks aimed at regaining control of South Ossetia, which gave Russia a pretext for sending troops into Georgia and crushing his forces. Moscow has long supported separatist regimes in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but its recognition of their sovereignty has only been followed by Venezuela, Nicaragua and Nauru.

Since the war, Russia has strengthened its hold over both regions and plans to establish permanent military bases in them.

Mr Saakashvili – whose credibility was damaged by the 2008 war and allegations that he suppresses critical media and political opposition – feared that Georgia and other pro-western nations in the former Soviet bloc could lose US backing as it seeks to “reset” troubled ties with Russia.

“We continue to object to and criticise actions by Russia which we believe are wrong and on the top of the list is the invasion and occupation of Georgia,” Mrs Clinton assured Mr Saakashvili yesterday.

She also urged him to focus on strengthening his country’s democracy and economy rather than being “baited or provoked” by Moscow.

Mrs Clinton arrived in Tbilisi from Armenia, which she urged to resolve its differences with neighbouring Azerbaijan over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, and where she raised US concerns about perceived threats to media freedom in the country.