Georgia fears at Russian ties with breakaway regions

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- Georgia sought the backing of NATO and the European Union on Friday after Russia stepped up pressure by announcing intensified ties with two separatist Georgian regions.

"It is a decisive moment," said Georgia's Vice Prime Minister Giorgi Baramidze. "Russia has crossed the red line and Europe and the Euro-Atlantic community must react."

Baramidze rushed to Brussels for talks with EU and NATO officials following Russia's announcement Wednesday that it would increase cooperation with the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

He said Georgia would use all "diplomatic, political and legal" means to persuade Russia to reverse its decision, but he said renewed military action against the breakaway regions was not on the cards.

"We are committed to peaceful conflict resolution," he insisted.

Georgia says Russia's decision to recognize the legal status of companies and organizations registered in the breakaway regions, as well as some documents issued by the regions' authorities, amounts to support for their split from Georgia.

Baramidze said Russia's action was "very, very, very dangerous" for the stability of the eastern Caucasus region, which sits astride strategic supply routes carrying oil and gas to Europe from Central Asia and the Caspian Sea.

"This protracted conflict represents a serious threat not only for Georgia, but for the entire European and Euro-Atlantic community," Baramidze told reporters.

The Black Sea states of Georgia and Ukraine have emerged as a focus of dispute between Russia and the West. Pro-Western governments in both former-Soviet states are seeking to join NATO in the face of vehement opposition from Russia. The European Union wants to develop pipelines through both countries to reduce its reliance on oil and gas from Russia.

NATO said it was "deeply concerned" about Russia's latest actions, which came less than two weeks after a summit of allied leaders said Georgia and Ukraine could one day become members of the Atlantic alliance. However, under pressure from Moscow, NATO leaders postponed a decision to launch programs to prepare the two countries for membership.

Baramidze suggested Russia's action was in response to that postponement, perceiving it as a lack of support for Georgia from European nations.

"Russia must see that the position of the European Union is not based on compromises, that the European Union is united and strong and firm on this," he said. "We believe a united Europe, a united Euro-Atlantic community, will be heard in the Kremlin."

He urged Europeans to raise the issue with Moscow and stepped up Georgia's long standing request for the European Union to send police units to monitor the breakaway regions. Baramidze acknowledged that such a deployment would not happen without Russian approval.

Georgia's ambassador to the EU, Salome Samadashvii, said she hoped the union would encourage the separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia to negotiate by stating firmly that they have no hope of recognition from the West. E-mail to a friend

All About Republic of Georgia • Mikhail Saakashvili