Hints of Tory division on Russia

John Redwood has voiced doubts over western attitudes towards Russia

Thursday, 28, Aug 2008 06:35

The first hints of Conservative divisions over David Cameron's bullish response to the Russia-Georgia conflict have begun to emerge.

Party insiders are pointing to the abject silence of shadow foreign secretary William Hague – a normally outspoken politician – when it comes to events in the South Caucasus.

But the most open expression of discomfort with the Conservative position comes from former Cabinet minister and leadership contender John Redwood.

Writing on his blog, Mr Redwood strikes a far more measured tone than his party leader, and expresses discontent with the direction of the western policy making.

"We need to talk to Russia, and to discuss the issue of splinter regions from Georgia," Mr Redwood writes.

"We need to discuss the whole architecture of states around Russia's western and southern border, to avoid committing Nato to maintain borders we cannot in practise enforce at an acceptable military cost, and to allay Russian fears to make Russian military action less likely.

"We need to see how big the disagreements are and to assess if any other state apart from Georgia is in danger of a Russian invasion. So far the west has not won over enough independent world opinion to strengthen its hand in negotiation with Russia."

Talking specifically about the UK, Mr Redwood adds: "We need some strategy rather than more foreign policy spin."

Yesterday, Mr Cameron launched a further attack on Russia, following the decision of prime minister Dmitry Medvedev to recognise the breakaway Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

"We've got to confront this aggression," Mr Cameron said.

"It goes completely against a set of United Nations resolutions that they themselves voted for."