Their problem is becoming increasingly urgent, and not only because of the expected recognition of Kosovo, which, as some experts believe, can create a precedent in this respect. Although formally the world community does not recognize the presidential elections in South Ossetia and Transdnestr, and a constitutional referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh, they point to a clear invigoration of political life in these republics.

At the same time, metropolitan countries, primarily Georgia, are prone to retrieve the lost territories by force, which is bound to negatively affect the general situation in the area and Russian-Georgian relations. It seems that now the breakaway republics, these smallest fragments of the former Soviet Union, have approached the time of trial.

The problem of breakaway republics is a challenge both for Russia, and the rest of the world. The right of nations to self-determination, and the principle of the inviolability of frontiers are often separated in international documents by a comma. However, the persisting contradiction between them is capable of shattering the relatively stable international practice on territorial integrity and border disputes. Some experts perceive the expected Kosovo precedent as a master key that can unlock any borders, and essentially wreck a system of frontiers in Europe and the rest of the world. More often then not, the notorious "right of a nation to self-determination, up to and including secession" becomes a weapon in the hands of political schemers and extremists. Abuse of this right is extremely dangerous everywhere, including Russia and its neighbors -- any successful example of separatism on post-Soviet territory can trigger off a domino effect.

There is no doubt that it is in Russia's national interests to support the inviolability of frontiers and territorial integrity no matter where, although this principle cannot be absolute or universal. It has some restrictions, for instance, when a country's central government, and titular nation suppress the rights of ethnic minorities, such as the right to autonomy, and still worse, pursue a policy of tough assimilation. In this case, the state loses its right to territorial integrity because it is violating inalienable human rights, including the right to life, when it is suppressing national movements by force. In other words, separatism is turning into a form of struggle for survival, and small nations are fighting for their right to national identity and independence in the modern multi-cultural world.

How to find a compromise in settling this most urgent contradiction? Universal solutions are not likely to help. But a number of general principles could be applied to each particular case. The main point is to display mutual responsibility, and achieve a pragmatic balance of interests between a metropolitan country and a breakaway nation striving for independence and international recognition. If a country is multi-ethnic, it is obliged to take into account the interests of all ethnic groups on its territory. It should not be unitarian, or discriminate against any of its nations. The current Georgian leaders are refusing to recognize the autonomy of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and it is not surprising that these former autonomies are striving for independence -- they simply do not see themselves as part of Georgia.

If during a long period of time a self-proclaimed entity demonstrates the functioning of independent state institutions, observance of the rights of ethnic minorities, a consensus of its elites, economic self-sufficiency and cultural identity, if it moves towards independence peacefully and democratically, and on the basis of reasonable bargaining and compromise, there is an obvious opportunity for its international recognition as an independent and valid state.

Russia does not stand to gain from the self-determination, and international recognition of its neighbors, although its sympathies are on their side. This is so not only because the threat of separatism exists in Russia itself. If unrecognized countries become subjects of international law, Moscow will automatically lose the right to patron-client relations with them. Speaking figuratively, there may appear new gambling chips in the international stock exchange, on which Russia's rivals may place their bets. Nobody can guarantee that Moscow's former unrecognized friends will not make an about-face towards the Euro-Atlantic community. Moreover, this turn may be one of the conditions for their full recognition. The threat of armed conflicts, especially between Georgia and South Ossetia, and between Georgia and Abkhazia may generate unpredictable consequences for the Russian North Caucasus.

Russia is more interested in the restoration of the territorial integrity of its neighbors -- Georgia, Moldova, and Azerbaijan. However, there are not many chances that this would be done in a peaceful and civilized way. For this reason, Moscow will have to look for new standards in settling the problem of self-proclaimed countries.

One of the possible ways is to establish a supranational entity patterned after the European Union. It could largely resolve the problem of separatism and regionalism by uniting metropolitan countries and breakaway nations on the basis of a broader identity that would be acceptable for all the members. The question is whether post-Soviet states and their leaders will show enough political maturity to make this choice.

(Alexander Pogorelsky is director of the Institute of Eastern Europe and member of the RIA Novosti Expert Council. The opinions expressed are those of the author and may not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti. Article reprinted with permission from the news agency.)

(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)

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