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More Russian Manipulations

By Salome Modebadze
Wednesday, October 6
On October 4th, President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on agreements providing cooperation and mutual assistance in customs affairs with the de-facto South Ossetian and Abkhazian leaders. Information released by the Res Information Agency claimed that the President also authorised the Russian federal customs service to make the necessary amendments in the course of negotiations to the draft agreements presented to the Government of the Russian Federation if these amendments are not of principal significance.

The draft agreement between the sides is aimed at strengthening cooperation in customs affairs and the fight against customs violations; facilitating passenger and cargo traffic between the sides; ensuring the collection of customs payments in compliance with the law and to observe the provisions regulating the transport of restricted goods across the borders. Preparatory procedures for signing the draft agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters with Russia began earlier this year.

Stressing that the self declared republics have been trying to gain even the smallest features of the independent states, Georgian analyst Mamuka Areshidze was not at all surprised with the event and found it difficult to comment on the issue while the German political analyst Alexander Rahr claimed that Russia has successfully returned to the region and is unlikely to ever be exiled. The analyst supposed that Russia has been playing a role of a super country in the region so that the territories previously controlled by Georgians are now under Russian control. Rahr thinks that giving the regions ‘republic’ status will be important events for the political map of the South Caucasus. “People think that the US is oriented towards Georgia as a strategic partner, but I think the US has well balanced cooperation not only with Georgia but also with Armenia and Azerbaijan…” he stated.