Recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia: Pandora's box?

In addition to this article from the New York Times, here is some interesting discussion on the separatist issue from a good blog on the area (I don't agree, or don't know enough to agree with the Kosovo statements, but the Russia-Georgia reasoning is good).

Quote from Tataristan in reference to official recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia: “The seeds of self-destruction are built into the authoritarian system,” Mr. Akhmetov said. “It’s Moscow’s mistake.” (NYTimes article cited above)