08-16-2008, 12:48 AM
<b> Gorbachev: US 'Blundered' in Caucasus</b>
WASHINGTON, Aug 14--Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has accused the United States of a "serious blunder" in pursuing its interest in the Caucasus region.
He also said the US charge that Russia was committing aggression in Georgia was "not just hypocritical but shows a lack of humanity".
"By declaring the Caucasus, a region that is thousands of miles from the American continent, a sphere of its 'national interest,' the US made a serious blunder," Gorbachev said in an opinion piece for the Washington Post.
He said Russia was not seeking territorial expansion but had "legitimate interests".
Gorbachev said "it was still possible to find a political solution. Hostilities must cease as soon as possible, and urgent steps must be taken to help the victims . . . and to rebuild the devastated towns and villages".
Meanwhile, Russia's foreign minister criticized on Wednesday comments made by the US president on fighting in Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia as being based on unverified reports.
Sergei Lavrov also said Washington has to choose between cooperation with Russia and Georgian leaders who he described as a "virtual project" for the United States.
US President George W. Bush said on Wednesday Russia must observe a ceasefire in the separatist province and said he would send military aircraft and naval vessels with humanitarian aid to Georgia.
Bush also said he was alarmed by reports that Russia had blocked Georgia's Black Sea port of Poti.
"I listened to George Bush's statement ... and was surprised ... the facts he cited are untrue," Lavrov said, echoing earlier denials by Russian officials that Russian troops were not advancing on Georgia's capital Tbilisi.
"We understand that the US is concerned about the fate of this project, but the United States will have to choose between defending its prestige over a virtual project or real partnership which requires joint action," the minister said
But what Bush failed to mention, Lavrov said, was the arming of Georgia in recent years, including by the US, which also trained Georgian troops.
He said Moscow had warned Washington that it was "a dangerous game."
WASHINGTON, Aug 14--Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has accused the United States of a "serious blunder" in pursuing its interest in the Caucasus region.
He also said the US charge that Russia was committing aggression in Georgia was "not just hypocritical but shows a lack of humanity".
"By declaring the Caucasus, a region that is thousands of miles from the American continent, a sphere of its 'national interest,' the US made a serious blunder," Gorbachev said in an opinion piece for the Washington Post.
He said Russia was not seeking territorial expansion but had "legitimate interests".
Gorbachev said "it was still possible to find a political solution. Hostilities must cease as soon as possible, and urgent steps must be taken to help the victims . . . and to rebuild the devastated towns and villages".
Meanwhile, Russia's foreign minister criticized on Wednesday comments made by the US president on fighting in Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia as being based on unverified reports.
Sergei Lavrov also said Washington has to choose between cooperation with Russia and Georgian leaders who he described as a "virtual project" for the United States.
US President George W. Bush said on Wednesday Russia must observe a ceasefire in the separatist province and said he would send military aircraft and naval vessels with humanitarian aid to Georgia.
Bush also said he was alarmed by reports that Russia had blocked Georgia's Black Sea port of Poti.
"I listened to George Bush's statement ... and was surprised ... the facts he cited are untrue," Lavrov said, echoing earlier denials by Russian officials that Russian troops were not advancing on Georgia's capital Tbilisi.
"We understand that the US is concerned about the fate of this project, but the United States will have to choose between defending its prestige over a virtual project or real partnership which requires joint action," the minister said
But what Bush failed to mention, Lavrov said, was the arming of Georgia in recent years, including by the US, which also trained Georgian troops.
He said Moscow had warned Washington that it was "a dangerous game."