Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
March 11 2005

Russian Duma Rejects Law On Incorporating Separatist Regions

11 March 2005 — Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma,
today rejected a proposal for Russia to incorporate separatist
regions of other states that vote to break away.

The bill, put forward by the Rodina (Motherland) faction, noted what
it called “increasing attempts” by Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova
to extend their influence over their separatist regions, including
Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia, Adjara, and South Ossetia, the
disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, and Transdniester in Moldova.

The bill wanted Russia to incorporate such regions into the Russian
Federation, if those regions expressed a desire to join Russia.

Parliament refused to back the bill. Deputy Yurii Konev said the bill
posed a threat to Russia’s territorial integrity, and also
contradicts international law.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress