The West responds to Russia
The U.S. Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council, Ambassador Kurt Volker and the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice (Image: NATO)
Russia continues to defend its actions in the former Soviet state of Georgia. Meanwhile international condemnation mounted over Russia’s recognition of Georgia’s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "The World’s" Katy Clark reports on the latest developments.
The U.S. and its allies in NATO are still figuring out how they should respond to the conflict in Georgia. The harsh words keep coming from NATO capitals — Washington says Russian actions are short-sighted; in London, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Russia’s actions in Georgia could start a new Cold War.
Secretary Miliband was speaking during a visit to Ukraine, a neighbor to Georgia. He was there to talk about forming an international coalition against what he called "Russian aggression."
Britain has cautioned the West not to isolate Russia, but it suggested the EU and NATO meet to review relations with Moscow.
Meanwhile, China expressed concern for the first time about the situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and urged dialog.
A member of the Russia’s Parliament said World reaction has been unfair — what Russia’s done about South Ossetia and Abkhazia is no different than what the West did early this year, when it recognized an independent Kosovo.
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