From Civil Georgia:  Reiteration by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen that Georgia would join the alliance, encourages Georgia’s “revanchist aspirations”, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on September 10.

The statement was a reaction to Rasmussen’s remarks when he visited Tbilisi on September 10, telling Georgia: “The future is in your hands. But know this: you have a friend in NATO – and a future home in NATO.”

From Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:  [Ministry official Aleksandr] Lukashevich told journalists that "such statements show NATO still has not learned the lessons of the tragic events of 2008 in the South Caucasus and continues to send Tbilisi ‘ecouraging’ signals."

Lukashevich said Moscow believes talk of Georgia’s possible NATO membership does not strengthen regional security and encourages Georgia’s leadership in its "unwillingness to recognize the political reality in the region."  (photo: Getty)

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