http://www.inthesetimes.com/archives/tags/ethnic+cleansing/ In These Times features award-winning investigative reporting about corporate malfeasance and government wrongdoing, insightful analysis of national and international affairs, and sharp cultural criticism about events and ideas that matter. en-us Expression Engine jessica@inthesetimes.com seamus@inthesetimes.com Wed, 15 Nov 2006 05:00:00 -0600 http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/2887/ethnic_cleansing_in_russia/ It started out as geopolitical bullying, with the Kremlin applying an economic headlock to pressure an obstreperous little neighbor, Georgia, to return to Moscow's fold. But a related campaign against "Georgian interests" in Russia, involving mass arrests of alleged illegal immigrants and a crackdown on Georgian-owned businesses, has dangerously fuelled xenophobia in Russia's streets and buoyed the country's rising neo-fascist movement. President Vladimir Putin personally triggered the anti-Georgian frenzy by complaining, in a televised meeting, that non-Slavs from the Caucasus region dominate farmer's markets in most cities, incurring the wrath of native Russians. "The indignation of citizens is right," Putin said. "(We must) protect the interests of Russian manufacturers and Russia's native population." Putin may have been trying to gather… Russia Ethnic Cleansing International Affairs Chris Hedges