22 February 2011, 23:40
US criticize Georgia for attempts of rapprochement with North-Caucasian republics
According to General James Clapper, Director of the US National Intelligence Service, the latest steps of the official Tbilisi towards the nations of Northern Caucasus is a factor that could increase the tension in the region.
Let us remind you that from October 13, 2010, residents of Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea may stay in Georgia without visas. This decision was made unilaterally by Georgia.
The report, which is annually made by the head of US intelligence service to the Senate, concerns assessment of global threats. This year, he made his report on February 16. General Clapper also believes that the position of Russia to recognize independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and develop economic and political ties with them is another factor increasing the tension in the region.
In his speech to the US senators General Clapper said that "Georgia's public attempts to establish links with different ethnic groups in Northern Caucasus of Russia are also contributing to this tension", the "GHN" reports.
The fact that this statement provoked a sharp debate in the LiveJournal was stressed by the author of the Internet blog on the "Caucasian Knot" with nickname BERG ... man Tbilisi. He quotes some of the comments, among which there is an opinion that by this statement "the USA are energetically promoting Georgia, once again hinting to Moscow about the "importance" of the factor of Georgia in the Caucasus."
