Kremlin hawks pushing Georgia conflict - diplomats

By Michael Stott

TBILISI (Reuters) - Moscow's sabre-rattling over two disputed regions of Georgia is driven by Kremlin hardliners who want to push Russia's next president into an anti-Western stance, diplomats in both countries said.

Tension has risen sharply in the volatile South Caucasus since Russia forged closer links with the separatist governments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, sent more peacekeeping troops to Abkhazia and threatened to use force if Georgia attacks.

Diplomats in Moscow and Tbilisi note the latest spats came during a political lull in Russia before the inauguration next week of Dmitry Medvedev as president.

They regard Medvedev, a lawyer with no links to the security services, as potentially a more Western-friendly leader than his predecessor Vladimir Putin but they say he would face strong resistance from hardliners if he attempted policy changes.

Medvedev has yet to give clear signals about the line he will take on Georgia but facts are already being created on the ground ahead of him taking power on May 7.

"Many independent analysts believe the military and the FSB (domestic intelligence service) are running Russia's policy in the Caucasus right now," one diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The West has sided firmly with Georgia in the dispute, expressing concern about Moscow's troop build-up and criticising its decision to pursue closer ties with the separatists.

This suits the hardliners in Moscow, who distrust the West. They want to see a strong nationalist Russia re-asserting itself and winning respect through power, as in Soviet times.