Why is the UN, EU etc against Russia's recognition of South Ossetia's independence?

Question

I am trying to understand this issue.

Answer 1

Cause it changes the status quo?  What would you do with South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Northern Ireland etc?

Answer 2

I don't know.  The UN et al seem okay with Kosovo breaking away, East Timor independence, and the USSR breaking up.

How South Ossetia differs from all this, is not clear.

Maybe no one wants Russia to encourage California to secede from the Union.  Not that a lot of folks would especially mind.

I think unless the UN is in charge of the breakup, they are unhappy.

Answer 3

Because the UN is nothing more then a tool of the US, the EU is also a tool of the US. the EU was an invention of the American Neo Cons discussed an implemented by members of an organization called the Bilderburg Group.

Answer 4

South Ossetia is for Russia what Kosovo is for USA and EU. A militar base with nuclear power has been installed in Kosovo, Russia is going  to do the same in South Ossetia.

Answer 5

MOI is correct. South Ossetia is of strategic interest to the U.S., Israel, Russia and the EU for one reason only — control of the Caspian Sea, the location of the world's third largest oil reserves.

It's amazing how this bare fact has been hidden from most people.

For a clear picture of the situation, which you will not get from CNN or the BBC, read this —

http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/...

Answer 6

They were fine with Kosovo breaking away from Serbia.  It seems that the EU, US and UN are anti Slavic

Answer 7

because south ossetia is full of oil!!! the USA and the UE don't want that Russia becomes powerfull of oil and politically....

georgia is close to the UE so when the relations with Russia are not good they can have more sources of oil and stop to depend on Russia or Middle East countries... and after south ossetia what does russia want else??? Putin tries to rebuild the CCCP... and it's not tolerable for the UE and of course for the USA

Answer 8

My understanding is that the UN as an entity doesn't have opinions on such matters  -  they are put to the vote, The UN has been confirming agreements for some time on the "provinces" in Georgia seeking independent status - which I have been looking at recently. (You can examine these docs online at the UN website  - it's takes a while to sort through.) From what I've seen so far - Russia seem to have been fairly pro-active in trying to encourage harmony within the existing borders of Georgia - and have avoided giving the "provinces" encouragement for independence, The last one I looked at, issed in March/April 2008 criticised Georgia for breaching a previous peace agreement by sending drones over SOssetia - and stated these were violations since the agreement called for no military action on land, sea or air.

The EU - I'm not sure the EU has declared a position - has it?  My understanding is that the EU hasn't yet declared a position on Kosovo yet or not acknowledged it's status as independent state.

Answer 9

After reading the answers here, I felt it might be useful if some history is recalled as no one seems to be aware of it. It gives substance to Georgia and Russias' actions. While I am not justifying either action of the players in the drama, people should know the facts before drawing conclusions.

Both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, being of different nationalities from Georgians on one hand and Russians on the other, have their ASRs (Autonomous Soviet Republics) within Georgia as per Soviet Union's constitution. North Ossetia is an ASR in Russian federation that contains several ASR, AR (autonomous region)  and Autonomous District units. All these do not claim any sovereignity as that vests in   SSRs (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekstan, Tajikistan, Kyrghizstan & Russian Federation) that became independent on the eve of break-up of Soviet Union. Only Chechnya ASR, backed by religious extremeist outfits tried its hand at independence. Whole of Caucasus would be studded with a dozen countries that include Armenia, Azerbaijan & Georgia, each weaker than the other craving for support America, NATO or what not.

Also the republics that became free are expected to allow continuation of autonomous status of regions (ASR, AR or Districts) within their countries. But some of them have plans to incorporate (appropriate) such areas into their countries decimating their aspirations.

I think you are the first one amongst Y!A community expressing a desire to understand the basic issue, that made me write this.

Answer 10

I believe the problem is that Russia is trying to draw a parallel between Kosovo and South Ossetia. Ironically, Georgia herself expedited this process by the strategic blunder of moving against the South Ossetians when they did. I beleieve it's only a matter of time before the UN, EU etc accept the present status quo in Georgia as a fait accompli.

Answer 11

There are several misconceptions here that I should clear up.

First, the people of South Ossetia are NOT ethnic Russians. They are just plain Ossetians. Russia simply issued alot of them Russian passports in an attempt to legitimize Russian intervention.

Second, while there is an oil pipeline running through Georgia, the oil is not in South Ossetia.

Third, the EU explicitly refused to recognize Kosovo, although individual member states were free to make up their own minds regarding the issue of Kosovo recognition.

Fourth, the UN has not officially recognized Kosovo yet, and there is no guarantee that they will.

Answer 12

Because they considered as parts of Georgia Soverignty.And infact they do not like the expansion of the Russia rather they want to Georgia member of NATO.

Answer 13

It opens doors to similar breakups in a lot of places.  

Look, the first question in the analysis is geographical in nature.  Historically speaking, the area in question is part of Georgia.  Georgia is no longer subordinate to Russia.  

If the Russians are justified in recognizing South Ossetia because of the existence there of ethnic Russians, then Mexico is similarly justified in recognizing the independence of South California, and France is justified in recognizing the independence of the Basque region of Spain.

Now, let's take it down to a local level.  What if one homeowner in a subdivision didn't want to abide by the local ordinances anymore, and attempted to "secede" from the neighborhood, or the town?  Could a neighboring town or neighborhood "recognize" that? What if your neighbor recognized the "independence" of the doghouse or swingset in your back yard?  

Basically, Russia recognizing South Ossetia threatens the whole idea of "borders".