TFGG01: Media Reaction - Georgia

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000592 SIPDIS SECSTATE FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, EUR/PA, EUR/FO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PHUM PREF EUN SW SUBJECT: TFGG01: Media Reaction - Georgia On August 27 the conservative Stockholm morning daily "Svenska Dagbladet" editorialized on "We Must Not Let Georgia Down:" "Too little and too tacit - in short - being too understanding and permissible. This is how one can sum up international reactions to Russia's attack on Georgia. After yesterday's recognition - in the form of a decree by President Medvedev - of the secessionists South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, a much tougher approach will be needed to counter the Russian challenge. The lesson learned is that Putin will ignore international appeals and warnings that lack substance.... "It is now all about giving support Georgia by reconstruction assistance, rapprochement to the EU with the aim of future membership, renewed NATO assurances that Russia has no veto rights against Georgian NATO membership. In other words, to increase (Western) presence, possibly by deploying NATO forces in the Baltic States. This approach also is applicable to Ukraine, which may be next in line for Russia. (Our) engagement must increase. "We must be prepared to take the fight even if things heat up. If we do not, we will leave Georgia out in the cold and give free rein to more aggressive Russian policies." WOOD