RUSSIA SEEN AS DEMOCRATIC, YET CONSTANTLY AT WAR.

Latvia’s chief delegate to the Baltic Assembly, Ivars Kezbers, told a news conference that Russia’s "democratic forces have prevailed" and the country has "definitely taken the path of democracy. But at the same time, democratic Russia has been at war since the first day of its existence." Kezbers cited Russia’s military operations in Moldova, Georgia, Chechnya, and Tajikistan. Kezbers concluded that the Baltic states need to improve relations with Russia in their own security interests, as "no NATO country will help us in the event of a conflict." (BNS, January 6)

Abkhaz Policy on Refugees Inspires South Ossetia.