11
Sep
Former German Chancellor warns against encircling Russia
From International Herald Tribune
Georgia is to blame for initiating last month’s war with Russia, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Tuesday as he criticized Western policy toward Russia. Western policies are making Russia feel encircled, he told an investment conference in Kazakhstan’s commercial capital, Almaty.
His remarks are at odds with those of many Western leaders, who have backed Georgia in its dispute with Russia. Last month’s fighting began when Georgia launched an attack to regain control of the breakaway province of South Ossetia. Russia then routed the Georgian military and pushed deep into Georgia.