Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Russian Separatists

NYTimes reported Tatarstan is a long way from South Ossetia. While South Ossetia is a poor border region of Georgia battered by war, Tatarstan is an economic powerhouse in the heart of Russia, boasting both oil reserves and the political stability that is catnip to investors. But the two places have one thing in common: Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, both have given rise to separatist movements. And when President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia formally recognized the breakaway areas of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent nations two weeks ago, activists in Kazan, the Tatar capital, took notice.
Don't get your hopes up. See if Russia is willing to give North Ossetia its freedom, and allow it to combine with South Ossetia to form an independent country that can affiliate with Russia or the West, or both, as it chooses. You will probably see pigs fly first.
An association of nationalist groups, the All-Tatar Civic Center, swiftly published an appeal that “for the first time in recent history, Russia has recognized the state independence of its own citizens” and expressed the devout wish that Tatarstan would be next.
Be sure to tell Santa Claus what you are wishing for. Maybe it will help. NOT.

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