WARNING TO WASHINGTON

by RAY FLEMING
SINCE Mikhail Saakashvili became president of Georgia in the “rose revolution” of 2003, he has worked to take his country out of Russia's hegemony by making overtures to the European Union and Nato. He has been encouraged in this approach by the United States; President Bush actually paid a visit to Georgia's capital Tbilisi last year, in part to recognise the importance of Georgia to the US, which is symbolised by the fact that it is a gateway to the Caspian sea and therefore a key link in the important Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipe line. However, in general the West's response to Georgia's ambitions has been less than Mr Saakashvili hoped for. Recently, at the United Nations, he spoke of the risk that Russia's continuing efforts to influence Georgia's policies could “plunge the region into darkness and conflict.” There followed last week's arrest by Georgia of four Russian diplomats on spying charges and then, on Monday, the humiliating climb-down when they were freed without charge. Instead of saying “thank you” President Putin authorised a range of sanctions which will immobile Georgia's air, road, rail and postal communications with Russia. It is reliably reported that President Bush telphoned President Putin to protest but was advised of “the unacceptability and danger of any actions by third nations that could be interpreted by the Georgian leadership as an encouragement of its destructive policy.” The warning could not have been clearer; stay out of our back yard.