Russia buys a tiny ally: Nauru [Archive]

deli_dumrul

12-19-2009, 07:43 PM

Russia buys a tiny ally: Nauru

A reported $50 million in economic aid to the Pacific island nation wins the Kremlin diplomatic recognition of two breakaway republics, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
December 18, 2009

The tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru, with its phosphate mines nearly depleted and without any other significant natural resources, has only one thing left to sell: its international reputation. Enter Russia, which is more than happy to buy.

That's how Nauru this week became the fourth country to establish formal relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The other three countries are Russia, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Unfortunately for the Kremlin, that's all it has to show after 15 months lobbying its allies to recognize the two breakaway republics, which are trying to assert their independence from Georgia with Russia's backing.

Russia insists it didn't provide incentives to Venezuela and Nicaragua in exchange for their support. Coincidentally, though, both nations subsequently signed big arms and energy deals with Moscow. The payment to Nauru seems to have been more direct. According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, the country requested $50 million in economic aid in return for its diplomatic gesture. Nauru, population 14,000, really needs the money. The 8-square-mile rock somewhere northeast of Papua New Guinea has long benefited from wealth that literally fell out of the sky: bird droppings, piling up over the centuries in deep deposits mined for phosphate, which is used in fertilizers. Today's flocks just can't digest fast enough to make up for the depletion, and the white gold is almost gone.

As much as we wish more world leaders would be embarrassed by this kind of guano diplomacy, it isn't a particularly uncommon practice. Russia, in fact, may have learned the technique from the United States. For years, the U.S. has been propping up a trio of small Pacific islands or island networks it wrested from Japan during World War II, in exchange for their diplomatic support: Palau (population 20,000), Micronesia (107,000) and the Marshall Islands (64,000). President George W. Bush liked to inflate the number of nations belonging to the "coalition of the willing" for the Iraq invasion by including them, even though they couldn't supply any troops because they're completely reliant on the United States for military defense. They vote with the U.S. on nearly every United Nations initiative -- though on the rare occasions when they defect, as Micronesia and the Marshall Islands did in October when the General Assembly voted to condemn the U.S. embargo of Cuba, you know Washington is on shaky ground.

Fortunately, we've always got Palau.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-nauru18-2009dec18,0,893480.story

How hard would it be to buy an islet in the Mediterranean, declare sovereignty, get a seat in the UN? I really need a Lamborghini...

Wildgoose

12-19-2009, 07:48 PM

Running out of bird poop can cause a nation to do strange things!

Bolshoy

12-19-2009, 07:54 PM

You know its actually a laughable situation for Russia and its muppets Abkhazia and S.Ossetia. Abkhazia and S.Ossetia will never make it further then this micro-state...

CaptMorgan68

12-19-2009, 09:02 PM

The Coalition of the Willing was as laughable at times as well.

BTW There was a private event of sorts in Moscow couple of weeks ago that had a number of businessmen and politicians with ties to Georgia as guests. Putin was a surprise guest and at some point he got on stage and gave a small speech. Basically he hinted at the possibility of reintegration of S.O. and Abkhazia into Georgia. However Saaka's regime would have to be ousted from power as a precondition to any negotiations.

sepheronx

12-19-2009, 09:08 PM

The Coalition of the Willing was as laughable at times as well.

BTW There was a private event of sorts in Moscow couple of weeks ago that a had a number of businessmen and politicians with ties to Georgia as guests. Putin was a surprise guest and at some point he got on stage and gave a small speech. Basically he hinted at the possibility of reintegration of S.O. and Abkhazia into Georgia. However Saaka's regime would have to be ousted from power as a precondition to any negotiations.

I highly doubt that. more like maybe integrating it into Russia. Georgia will never get it back, regardless what anyone thinks, simply because the people of these two breakaway nations do not want to be part of Georgia.

CaptMorgan68

12-19-2009, 09:23 PM

I highly doubt that. more like maybe integrating it into Russia. Georgia will never get it back, regardless what anyone thinks, simply because the people of these two breakaway nations do not want to be part of Georgia.

The only thing Georgia is going to get back are like Putin put it "dead donkeys's ears" while reactionary revanchist and mentally unstable radicals like Saaka are in power in Georgia.

May be part of the reason why no one really wants to recognize Abkhazia's and SO's independence is because most countries see no need to do so.There is a possibility the two could become part of RF in some not too distant future. For now though I think Russia is going to keep its options open. The status of the two could be a bargaining chip at the negotiating table with Georgia in the future. So recognition of small insignificant states is more of a way to keep the pressure on Saaka's regime.

sepheronx

12-19-2009, 09:29 PM

The only thing Georgia is going to get anything back are like Putin put it "dead donkeys's ears" while reactionary revanchist and mentally unstable radicals like Saaka are in power in Georgia.

May be part of the reason why no one really wants to recognize Abkhazia's and SO's independence is because most countries see no need to do so.There is a possibility the two could become part of RF in some not too distant future. For now though I think Russia is going to keep its options open. The status of the two could be a bargaining chip at the negotiating table with Georgia in the future. So recognition of small insignificant states is more of a way to keep the pressure on Saaka's regime.

Even without Saaka's regime, someone else will replace him that will not like Russia because of the war and the people not supporting Russia at all. So I doubt that even with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, nothing Russia has that will support the mentality of the people to change. Georgia is a lost cause for Russia, so no point in adhering to it.

CaptMorgan68

12-19-2009, 09:31 PM

Even without Saaka's regime, someone else will replace him that will not like Russia because of the war and the people not supporting Russia at all. So I doubt that even with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, nothing Russia has that will support the mentality of the people to change. Georgia is a lost cause for Russia, so no point in adhering to it.

May be.......

budgie

12-19-2009, 10:36 PM

China's into this too - building infrastructure in tiny pacific nations so they can get backing votes on UN councils. No doubt they'd also like a spot for forward bases.

M1A2U2

12-19-2009, 11:58 PM

Not true Tonga sent troops to Iraq. This guy should do some fact checking before he makes snide comments.

Violet Fashion by Mindy

12-20-2009, 12:42 AM

China's into this too - building infrastructure in tiny pacific nations so they can get backing votes on UN councils. No doubt they'd also like a spot for forward bases.

Nauru is not big enough.

Besides Nauru is more or less an Australian protectorate.

Clockwinder

12-20-2009, 01:12 AM

Nauru is not big enough.

Besides Nauru is more or less an Australian protectorate.

No longer - Nauru's single source of income between 2001 and 2008 was from Australia to pay for an Illegal Migrant Detention Center. Once that center closed, all aid from Australia also stopped, and with the island's move towards the more radical and socialist states, Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom (traditional administrators) all withdrew support and aid. Nauru are on their own! A Russian base on Nauru would be a coup to rival Guam for the US. Not a whole lot of room though.

Fat Lazy American

12-20-2009, 02:16 AM

For 75 million they could have recognized Transnistria and for a cool 100, Nagorno-Karabakh.

hskywalker

12-20-2009, 04:29 AM

Russia better not trust this country too much. Nauru first recognized taiwan, then switched diplomatic relation to China in 2002, cashed in the money. Then recognized taiwan again some 2 years later to get money from taiwan.

There are many small countries, not so many treacherous ones like Nauru.

PeterRJG

12-20-2009, 04:50 AM

Yep, best not to trust this speck in the ocean that will go under water with global warming sooner rather than later.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2150/nauruairphoto.jpg

RSone

12-20-2009, 05:20 AM

14.000 people on 8sq kilometers? must get crowded..

tercio67

12-20-2009, 05:42 AM

14.000 people on 8sq kilometers? must get crowded..

8 square mile = 20.719 904 882 square kilometer.
p-)

RSone

12-20-2009, 05:48 AM

8 square mile = 20.719 904 882 square kilometer.
p-)
21 square kilometers, with a 14.019 population at 667 citizens per sq kilometer according to wiki. For a comparison, the Netherlands is at 397,7 per sq kilometer, and we're already touted as a crowded country....

tercio67

12-20-2009, 05:58 AM

What's realy impressive is this;

It is the only country with a national footballteam that won all it's international matches.

(amazing but true)

tommy00

12-20-2009, 05:59 AM

Russia paid a "state of Nauru" $ 50 million. for "recognition of Abkhazia". Hopefully for the same price they "recognite" also So- Ossetia.
Literally the next day the information appeared that Russia had no more money to rebuild houses in So-Ossetia! Moscow says that all the allotted money ... mmm ... disappear ... and from 3,500 damaged houses repaired as many as 100...
Residents of So- Ossetia have to hold a "winter of independence" in the tents. Clearly, Russia is not interested of So- Ossetia, bud only of its recognition. But some Ossetians themselves, from what are they interested in, - the roof over your head, or "recognition of Nauru? However, who asks them? ..

Mhmda, and now Nauru, nice addison to a Venezuela, Nicaragua and Hamas,-the terror-organisation...
Good to see, a real statment of a "Kreml"-s influence in the world......
Shame...

Mr Gently Benevolent

12-20-2009, 06:09 AM

Looks like business as usual for the Russian elite as they pumped millions through Nauru's banking system until the West told Nauru they would cut them off from aid and subsidies. Nauru has a brand new Daddy. p-)

zg18

12-20-2009, 07:01 AM

Mhmda, and now Nauru, nice addison to a Venezuela, Nicaragua and Hamas,-the terror-organisation...
Good to see, a real statment of a "Kreml"-s influence in the world......
Shame...

When US is using these microscopic states, it's normal business,i don't see Americans see it as disgrace, why should Russians or Chinese? :lol:

Xaito

12-20-2009, 07:04 AM

only means Russia has started caring about it's image abroad.
we'll see whether that's a good thing or a bad one

Gentius

12-20-2009, 08:15 AM

Nauru also recognized Kosovo's Independence last year. p-)

Black_Eagle

12-20-2009, 11:12 AM

as I said on another post Russia is renewing it's alliances (example: Venezuela) and making new ones (example: Nauru). I wonder how long until Russia sets up tank or gun factory there.

kosse

12-20-2009, 11:39 AM

. I wonder how long until Russia sets up tank or gun factory there.

Russia has enough trouble as it to find jobs for it's own peasants in old industrial towns that used to revolve around big state factories.

Spezz

12-20-2009, 02:17 PM

Russia has enough trouble as it to find jobs for it's own peasants in old industrial towns that used to revolve around big state factories.
:cantbeli:

daily666

12-20-2009, 02:21 PM

Clockwinder

12-20-2009, 02:30 PM

as I said on another post Russia is renewing it's alliances (example: Venezuela) and making new ones (example: Nauru). I wonder how long until Russia sets up tank or gun factory there.
You seen the place? It's a flat piece of bird poop in the middle of nothing but ocean. It would take a monumental effort to set up any sort of industry there. No local resources at all. Totally cost prohibitive.

Mr.K

12-20-2009, 02:33 PM

So it's time for Georgia to step in with cash.

But the cash must come from somewhere.

Nauru is a "rent-an-ally" service, nothing more.

daily666

12-20-2009, 03:10 PM

But the cash must come from somewhere.

Nauru is a "rent-an-ally" service, nothing more.

It was more of a joke. I mean the whole country of Nauru is a joke.

Xaito

12-20-2009, 03:55 PM

hey don't be too hard on those guys - gotta make a living somehow. ;)

saturnin

12-20-2009, 04:19 PM

Sorry Russia, we have plan how to get rid of your new ally p-)
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/123248

Violet Fashion by Mindy

12-20-2009, 04:23 PM

No longer - Nauru's single source of income between 2001 and 2008 was from Australia to pay for an Illegal Migrant Detention Center. Once that center closed, all aid from Australia also stopped, and with the island's move towards the more radical and socialist states, Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom (traditional administrators) all withdrew support and aid. Nauru are on their own! A Russian base on Nauru would be a coup to rival Guam for the US. Not a whole lot of room though.

Guam is not big enough for such a base. Has no port facilities.

As for financial aid. It used the Australian dollar, recieves 20 million in aid each year from Australia and it's imports and exports from Australia make up over 80% of it's economy.

Aussie Rules is also it's national sport.

Defence is the responsability of Australia

There is also an informal aggreement in which, in the event that Nauru becomes unsuitable for habitation or the economy becomes to ****ed to remain an independent nation then Australia is giving them an island in the Great Barrier Reef.

To put it simply Nauru is Australia's bitch :):)

Violet Fashion by Mindy

12-20-2009, 04:24 PM

Oh yeah almost forgot. The Australian High Court is Nauru's high court of the land.

Clockwinder

12-20-2009, 04:33 PM

Oh yeah almost forgot. The Australian High Court is Nauru's high court of the land.
And like the "Defence" agreement, it's entirely informal and irregular. Australia is "sort of" responsible, but there are no binding treaties or agreements.

BMUS

12-20-2009, 07:30 PM

Sorry Russia, we have plan how to get rid of your new ally p-)
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/123248
That is in such a bad taste I laughed. p-)

Mr.K

12-20-2009, 07:47 PM

NaurauSTRONG1!!!

PeterRJG

12-20-2009, 08:08 PM

Russia has enough trouble as it to find jobs for it's own peasants in old industrial towns that used to revolve around big state factories.

Did Russians rape your sister or something? You really have it in for them. I'm surprised you haven't been perma-banned yet.

Black_Eagle

12-20-2009, 09:26 PM

NaurauSTRONG1!!!

HELLZ YEAH1!!!

Did Russians rape your sister or something? You really have it in for them. I'm surprised you haven't been perma-banned yet.

a lot of people hate Russia, and if MP had to ban all the people who "have it in for them" then the forum would be decimated (my very rough estimate)

Mr.K

12-20-2009, 11:44 PM

HELLZ YEAH1!!!

a lot of people hate Russia, and if MP had to ban all the people who "have it in for them" then the forum would be decimated (my very rough estimate)

a lot of people hate the jews, they get banned, MP.net works very well without them.

LRPV

12-21-2009, 01:03 AM

Nauru is not big enough.

Besides Nauru is more or less an Australian protectorate.

Where did Nauru vote on whaling? Japan bought the Solomons vote through foreign aid and we have boots on the ground there...I wouldn't call Nauru a protectorate as it has already demonstrated it won't play our game (refugee housing).

Flamming_Python

12-21-2009, 01:19 AM

sepheronx

12-21-2009, 01:29 AM

Why are you guys so bitter? OK we helped Nauru out, they help us back - if they were sending soldiers to Afghanistan you sure wouldn't be ridiculing them - but it seems that any pro-Russian policy anywhere deserves scorn?

Awww are you guys sad that Russia can do whatever it wants and doesnt have to listen to your countries? Awwwww....

Thats the problem. No one comments in when let say Ukraine sending troops to Afghanistan, even if their government is corrupt and has pretty much destroyed the country.

dracon49

12-21-2009, 02:42 AM

So one more country recognized S.Ossetia and Abkhazia. Big deal. 4 countries from hundreds of countries recognize them.

Mousepad

12-21-2009, 04:01 AM

Sorry Russia, we have plan how to get rid of your new ally p-)
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/123248

Bwahahaha, sneak us out of 50 mln$ ally is low.

PeterRJG

12-21-2009, 04:30 AM

a lot of people hate Russia, and if MP had to ban all the people who "have it in for them" then the forum would be decimated (my very rough estimate)

Oh, you know that from your extensive three months experience here? FYI, it's not tolerated. As they say in the classics, lurk moar.

Steak-Sauce

12-21-2009, 04:57 AM

No big deal. One big village from hundred thousands of villages and 3 countries from hundreds of countries recognize them.

Fixed for you.
Seriously, even Liechtenstein has more people! p-)

dracon49

12-21-2009, 06:50 AM

Fixed for you.
Seriously, even Liechtenstein has more people! p-)
LOL. Maybe they will pay Al Queda and Taliban and Hamas and Hezbollah to recognize themp-).

IronFinn

12-21-2009, 07:05 AM

Nauru means literally laughter in finnish.

PeterRJG

12-21-2009, 08:27 AM

Nauru means literally laughter in finnish.

Pretty fitting if you ever saw Nauru.

Xaito

12-21-2009, 08:39 AM

LOL. Maybe they will pay Al Queda and Taliban and Hamas and Hezbollah to recognize themp-).

maybe you should pay them to recognize you? :roll:

Snoshi

12-21-2009, 09:06 AM

maybe you should pay them to recognize you? :roll:

Why?

On a serious note.

Despite the international condemnation of Russian recognition for Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russia has been applauded by one political body. Palestinian movement Hamas has become the first organization to praise Russia for its recognition of Georgia's separatist regions. Its representative Aiman Takh told journalists that the Russian decision set a precedent which could help the Palestinians achieve their goals.

“We Palestinians are fighting for our rights and an independent state. We hope that Russia’s action is the beginning of recognition of small nations who fight for their freedom”, he stressed.
http://geomessenger.blogspot.com/2008/08/hamas-welcomes-russian-recognition-for.html

Zos

12-21-2009, 09:28 AM

Ive often thought that Nauru would make a good base location for basic set up to accommodate and refuel OPVs and UAVs to monitor the region and provide forward capability if required.

Nuie, Palau and the Coco's/Christmas Island with similar set ups would provide a good coverage of the huge arc above Australia/NZ.

This would provide income and employment for the islanders as well as being a productive use of soft power and aid.

Sumadinac

12-21-2009, 09:56 AM

Abkhazia and SO don't need to be recognized by many countries. All they need is Russia.

Sashko

12-21-2009, 12:55 PM

So one more country recognized S.Ossetia and Abkhazia. Big deal. 4 countries from hundreds of countries recognize them.

195 countries out there...

De Jure recognition of the world hardly matters for local sustenance economies like S. Ossetia and Abkhazia. Even if they got recognized by entire UN, it's not like Western investors will start pouring in. Their main source of income and trade will always be Russia, with "international community" recognition or without - geography works that way.

Whole hunt for countries to recognize these two unimportant non-players is mostly done for improving image rather than any concrete economical or political goals.

[WDW]Megaraptor

12-21-2009, 01:33 PM

Here's some statistics on Nauru:

-No natural fresh water sources.
-Naruan language is not related to any other Pacific language, so no one knows where native Nauruans came from.
-World's smallest independent republic.
-Highest point on Nauru is "unnamed location along plateau rim", 61m above sea level.
-Has no arable land.
-90% of Nauru now looks like this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Karst_following_phosphate_mining_on_Nauru.jpg)due to depleted phosphate mines.
-There are no cities on Nauru, just districts.
-Nauru has no official capitol because it has no cities.
-The United States does not maintain an embassy in Nauru.
-Nauru's GDP per capital is only $5000.
-Nauru has 90% unemployment, the worst rate in the world.
-Nauru's exports in 2005 totaled $65,000.
-Nauru has one radio station and one television station.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nr.html

daily666

12-21-2009, 01:38 PM

They could've bought out the whole damned island. The "new russkie" would have a place to build their Dachas in the Pacific.

Nordmannen

12-21-2009, 01:58 PM

Did Russians rape your sister or something? You really have it in for them. I'm surprised you haven't been perma-banned yet.
Russia is poor. With this in mind, I don't see why he should be banned for calling a spade a spade.

dracon49

12-21-2009, 01:59 PM

195 countries out there...

De Jure recognition of the world hardly matters for local sustenance economies like S. Ossetia and Abkhazia. Even if they got recognized by entire UN, it's not like Western investors will start pouring in. Their main source of income and trade will always be Russia, with "international community" recognition or without - geography works that way.

Whole hunt for countries to recognize these two unimportant non-players is mostly done for improving image rather than any concrete economical or political goals.
If recognizing doesn't matter why Russia paid a country to recognize them?...and i think there are more then 200 countries(few aren't a UN member)

TakeIt

12-21-2009, 02:09 PM

If recognizing doesnt matter why Russia paid a country to recognize them? You have to start somewhere. You know, behave like a true democratic state. Who knows what state would need to be recognised in the future..

...and i think there are more then 200 countries(few aren't a UN member) In this particular case this is irrelevant.

Sashko

12-21-2009, 02:25 PM

If recognizing doesn't matter why Russia paid a country to recognize them?...and i think there are more then 200 countries(few aren't a UN member)

I provided my opinion on why Russia is doing what it is doing in the second paragraph of my post:

Whole hunt for countries to recognize these two unimportant non-players is mostly done for improving image rather than any concrete economical or political goals.

I don't think, I know there are 195 countries and 192 UN members. Unless of course you want to count Transdenstria, S. Ossetia and Abkhazia p-)

dracon49

12-21-2009, 02:38 PM

According to wikipedia there are 203 entities(and some of them aren't recognized by anyone but still they consider them as entities)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states

Sashko

12-21-2009, 03:42 PM

According to wikipedia there are 203 entities(and some of them aren't recognized by anyone but still they consider them as entities)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states

Are we talking about countries (de jure recognized) or de facto entities?

dracon49

12-21-2009, 03:46 PM

Also entities ,but never mind the West is also hypocrite about kosovo by recognizing it but its a different issue.

Black_Eagle

12-21-2009, 07:12 PM

Abkhazia and SO don't need to be recognized by many countries. All they need is Russia.

ha!ha!ha! who's going to argue with Russia 1 v 1 (not Obama)

This would provide income and employment for the islanders as well as being a productive use of soft power and aid.

90% unemployment and 95% of the ten percent is employed by the government as said by Megaraptor who beat me to posting.

Megaraptor;4641420']Here's some statistics on Nauru:

-No natural fresh water sources.
-Naruan language is not related to any other Pacific language, so no one knows where native Nauruans came from.
-World's smallest independent republic.
-Highest point on Nauru is "unnamed location along plateau rim", 61m above sea level.
-Has no arable land.
-90% of Nauru now looks like this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Karst_following_phosphate_mining_on_Nauru.jpg)due to depleted phosphate mines.
-There are no cities on Nauru, just districts.
-Nauru has no official capitol because it has no cities.
-The United States does not maintain an embassy in Nauru.
-Nauru's GDP per capital is only $5000.
-Nauru has 90% unemployment, the worst rate in the world.
-Nauru's exports in 2005 totaled $65,000.
-Nauru has one radio station and one television station.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nr.html

They could've bought out the whole damned island. The "new russkie" would have a place to build their Dachas in the Pacific.

Russian billionaires would buy a bigger island...

Russia is poor. With this in mind, I don't see why he should be banned for calling a spade a spade.

pretty sure Russia could fish out $500,000 million from its 134 billion US dollar money reserves

sepheronx

12-21-2009, 07:23 PM

Russia is poor. With this in mind, I don't see why he should be banned for calling a spade a spade.

Oh really?
wiki (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)) guess Spain is poor too. Maybe you shoul just be banned for lack of general knowledge.

Derbedeu

12-21-2009, 10:19 PM

pretty sure Prussia could fish out $500,000 million from its 134 billion US dollar money reserves

What does Germany have to do with this? Also, how can one get $500 billion out of $134 billion?

Oh really?
wiki (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28nominal%29) guess Spain is poor too. Maybe you shoul just be banned for lack of general knowledge.

Spain's population is also less than 1/3 of Russia's, so that means that they're over 3x richer than Russia. http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/21/winkv.gif (http://img338.imageshack.us/i/winkv.gif/)

Edit: My 2000th post!!!

PeterRJG

12-21-2009, 11:31 PM

pretty sure Prussia could fish out $500,000 million from its 134 billion US dollar money reserves

Mathematics > you. Why doesn't that fvcking surprise me? I'd give you a 3/10 for everything you've posted so far.

Nordmannen

12-22-2009, 06:46 AM

Oh really?
wiki (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)) guess Spain is poor too. Maybe you shoul just be banned for lack of general knowledge.

:cantbeli:

Population of Spain: 46 million.
Population of Russia: 141 million.

GDP per capita
Spain: 35 000$
Russia: 11 000$

Holycrusader

12-22-2009, 08:23 AM

:cantbeli:

Population of Spain: 46 million.
Population of Russia: 141 million.

GDP per capita
Spain: 35 000$
Russia: 11 000$

Sources and year of your data...

Derbedeu

12-22-2009, 08:44 AM

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/GDP.pdf

Just divide the GDP by the population of the two countries.

Kralj Tvrtko

12-22-2009, 09:42 AM

You know its actually a laughable situation for Russia and its muppets Abkhazia and S.Ossetia. Abkhazia and S.Ossetia will never make it further then this micro-state...

For 75 million they could have recognized Transnistria and for a cool 100, Nagorno-Karabakh.

Russia better not trust this country too much. Nauru first recognized taiwan, then switched diplomatic relation to China in 2002, cashed in the money. Then recognized taiwan again some 2 years later to get money from taiwan.

There are many small countries, not so many treacherous ones like Nauru.

Cmmon, Nauru recognized SO and Abkh. because of its genuine national interest and belief those countries should be independent.

Otherwise someone could conclude that ie these countries were bribed by someone else to recognize Kosovo. Why bother, if they are not so important?

Costa Rica

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/af.gif Afghanistan

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/li.gif Liechtenstein

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/mh.gif Marshall Islands

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/nr.gif Nauru

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/sm.gif San Marino

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/ws.gif Samoa

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/fm.gif Micronesia, Fed. Sts.

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/mv.gif Maldives

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/pw.gif Palau

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/gm.gif Gambia, The

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/km.gif Comoros

http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/flags/mw.gif Malawi