Comments on: Was South Ossetia’s fate sealed in Kosovo?

By: Zee

Zee — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:40:20 +0000

Giles, in your report of “Under-fire Saakashvili defends Georgia war” you “But at the time, there was no public statement from the Georgian leadership that Russian forces were invading. The shelling of Tskhinvali after a ceasefire of several hours and the subsequent ground assault was justified as a response to rebel shelling of Georgian villages.”
What story have you been following?
Please see Saakashvili’s interviews that he gave to international media (CNN, BBC) immediately following the start of the conflict. He clearly says that he decided to mobilize the troops AFTER he got intelligence of Russian troops crossing the border. Please, revise the article at once.

By: michael

michael — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:18:24 +0000

To Russian

The Russian government still used very extreme measures not only in support of S. Ossetia, but revised its goal to continue to intimidate Georgia through its continued presence on Georgia’s soil outside S. Ossetia. Russia did not bring this whole situation to the UN before it acted. At least the US acts in concert with UN authority or after it has exhausted its efforts to resolve an utilizing the UN. Comparison on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the least warning and 10 the most. U.S. gives 7-10 while Russia gives 2-4.
In the 1980s, I admired the USSR as a worthy potential adversary, and recently Russia as a powerful growing democracy. Now, the way Putin has returned to the old ways of succession depriving the Russian people of true representation just makes me angry. Russian freedom in the press has disintegrated and intimidation of opposing views are less and less tolerated. Putin’s response to dissent both internal and external has turned from dialog to intimidation much like its Mafia which most probably has inserted itself into the Russian politic.
All countries time on earth ebb and flow. Their greatness is not solely determined on their physical strength, but on how they treat both their citizens and other nations. In retrospect, none have been or are perfect, but its the degree and consistency with which they apply these factors that determines their ultimate greatness.
Nations such as China, European Union, Russia and the US should work together for global stability and ensure that complete human rights are protected in every corner of the earth. Doing so will prevent these very governments from having to fear dissent.

By: Russian

Russian — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:29:28 +0000

It’s good to see that most of you finally are changing your mind about this crisis as time goes by. In the beginning western news chanells showed the story as they wanted to see it. On the 8th they have only one story: Russians invaded Georgia. Now they show poor people in Gori (which is not destroyed, were russians helped to keep the order and from which georgian officials ran away). Why don\’t they show pictures from Osetia? Why don’t they talk to osetia and abhazian people? Why don’t you listen to another party?
Were is the so called \”western\” democracy? Stop listen to the US leaders! THINK YOURSELF!!

By: michael

michael — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:09:37 +0000

To Et
Grow up both sides would be bloodied beyond recognition. I.E. Russia and U.S. Do you want this over vanity and pride?

By: michael

michael — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:06:57 +0000

Re: S. Ossetia

S. Ossetia has the right to be independent if it so chooses.
This would apply to any state in the United States if it so chose. The problem is that Georgia, Russia, and the U.S. all have different motives for their positions regarding S. Ossetia. Other than that I see the current track Russia is taking as one of an imature child. They are willing to kill and have their soldiers killed over pride. I.E. their desire to be a primary player on the world stage. They would have this if they developed theirselves as an economic powerhouse as China is doing.

By: Dex

Dex — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:27:37 +0000

Serbia was bombed 78 days by NATO states, even center of Belgrade, far away from war zone in order to save Albanians on Kosovo. 2,500 Serb died in bombings. Kosovo was cut off from Serbia after 1000 years. Now, when Russia is bombing Georgia in order to safe Ossetian people, western media repeats that this is crime, attack on democratic country…. Serb will wait the final resolution of Russian-Georgian problem and learn lesson. Serb will not forget Kosovo.

By: Saratov

Saratov — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:58:34 +0000

Kosovo is similar to Georgia but, North Mitrovica is similar to South Ossetia.
As the United States Institute for Peace says, “No solution for Kosovo can last without a solution for Mitrovica.”

By: Et

Et — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:15:46 +0000

If the US is that powerful, let them send troops to save freedom loving Georgia against Russia. The EU and US know , on Russia turf, they will be crushed. Therefore, no one dares talking military actions. Russia picks up first victory since the end of the cold war. A powerful message is sent to France, Britain and of course US.

By: teejay

teejay — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:12:24 +0000

Everyone is talking of Georgia being a sovereign country that is correct, Serbia is a sovereign country and the UN and USA supported the breakaway of Kosovo, therefore South Ossetia and any other province should have the right to breakaway. George Bush stop being a hypocrit and stop the double standards. What applies to one applies to all. America wants to be the world watch dog let Russia be the watch dog in the caucuses, the world needs two superpowers to keep the balance. I support the Russian comeback!

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:04:05 +0000

Viva Independent Republika Srpska!