Russia last night vetoed a plan to extend the UN's mission in Georgia, causing an angry response from the west and setting Moscow on a collision course with Washington ahead of a visit to Russia by Barack Obama. Russia rejected an attempt to extend the mandate of UN observers in Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia. The UN has maintained a small but effective presence there since separatist rebels established a de facto state following the 1992-93 war. The US said it "deeply regrets" Moscow's veto. The move strengthens Russia's grip over Abkhazia following its invasion of Georgia last August. Moscow now says that Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia's other breakaway region, are independent states. The rest of the world - with the exception of Nicaragua - insists the two territories remain part of Georgia. Russia's attempts to persuade other former Soviet states to follow its lead in recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia have so far failed, even with close allies, such as Belarus. "There is no point in extending [the UN's mission in Abkhazia] because it is based on old realities," Vitaly Churkin, Russia's UN ambassador, told the UN security council. The US and European governments had proposed extending the UN's mission until agreement could be found.
Russia rejected an attempt to extend the mandate of UN observers in Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia. The UN has maintained a small but effective presence there since separatist rebels established a de facto state following the 1992-93 war.
The US said it "deeply regrets" Moscow's veto. The move strengthens Russia's grip over Abkhazia following its invasion of Georgia last August. Moscow now says that Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia's other breakaway region, are independent states.
The rest of the world - with the exception of Nicaragua - insists the two territories remain part of Georgia. Russia's attempts to persuade other former Soviet states to follow its lead in recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia have so far failed, even with close allies, such as Belarus.
"There is no point in extending [the UN's mission in Abkhazia] because it is based on old realities," Vitaly Churkin, Russia's UN ambassador, told the UN security council. The US and European governments had proposed extending the UN's mission until agreement could be found.
