Russia can lose territory too

[Sousuke 1,214]

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Columns/2014/05/02/Russia-Can-Lose-Territory-Too-It-should-worry

If the US wants Russia to buy back into the idea of territorial sovereignty in Ukraine, it must remind Russia that ethnic self-determination cuts both ways. The rules of the system are not just a hypocrisy of the reigning superpower to lighten its burden, but have real benefits, not least for Russia. Because its borders, in many places, make no sense.

Russia stands on disputed territory everywhere: in the southern Kurile Islands off Japan, in Abkhazia and South Ossetia off Georgia, on restive Muslim areas in the Caucasus, and now in Crimea. Closer to Central Asia, it rules several additional Muslim populations like the Tatars, who don’t have their own states only by the whim of early Soviet cartographers. More than 20 percent of Russia’s population are minorities, since historically Russia’s borders have fluctuated wildly. It thus needs reminding that discarding territorial integrity can have serious consequences elsewhere.

• The United States should issue a strong statement supporting Japan’s ownership of the southern Kurile Islands.
• Reengage—loudly--with the Europeans and Tbilisi launching Georgia’s NATO Membership Action Plan.
• Refer to Chechnya and Dagestan as “disputed” areas, at the UN and other multilateral fora.

Nothing would rattle Russian confidence like the prospect of United States officials meeting – even expressing interest in meeting – opposition leaders in Dagestan. And perhaps the Tatars should have their own state as well. Maybe the UN should look into it.

Yes, there are many ethnic Russians in Europe. There are also many non-Russians in Russia. Let the Kremlin chew on what real revisionism would look like.