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Can the Caucasus flames be controlled?
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The Caucasus tinderbox is alight again. How far will the flames spread this time and what can the outside world – the United States, the European Union, NATO – do to extinguish them?
The strategic significance of this mountainous region stretches back through history.
To the west lies the Black Sea, to the east the Caspian, to the south the Mediterranean, Iran and Turkey.
In the past Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and the Russian tsars struggled to control its trade routes. Today Russia and the West are competing for influence over its energy pipelines carrying Caspian oil to world markets.
The Caucasus’ blue mountains and fiercely independent people have caught the imagination of Russian writers, Lermontov and Tolstoy. It has created only headaches for political leaders.
Georgia’s pro-Russian breakaway region South Ossetia is the latest battle ground in a long-running conflict.
Will the fighting, involving Russian and Georgian troops end there, or will another of Georgia’s breakaway regions Abkhazia seize the opportunity to press its claim for autonomy?
And what of Chechnya, a thorn in Russia’s side for nearly two centuries. Moscow sent in the troops to bring Chechnya to heel in 1994 and again in 1999. Will it try again to free itself of Moscow’s influence?
And what can the international community do to end the fighting. Dependent on Russian oil and gas, Europe has little or no room for manouevre. The United States has provided vocal backing of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, but he would be misguided to expect more. So who can put out the flames?
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In response to Russia’s illegal actions, why doesn’t the Bush Administration get tough and:
Recall US diplomats from Moscow to Washington, and expel Russian diplomats in the US?
Encourage Americans to not travel to Russia or to buy anything from Russia — until the battles are peacefully solved?
Have President Bush admit that he was wrong months ago when he publicly stated that he could easily judge Putin’s demeanor and know that he was a good man. Wrong!
Shades of Nazi invasion of the sundatenland. Same excuse, same response by Western countires. Only difference is that Georgia is not in the middle of Europe.
Imho.
Georgia should recede and pay urgently REPARATIONS for destroyed Tshinval city and the killed old man/woman/child.
500000 $ for each killed old man/woman/child.
And 100 000 000 $ on repair the cities of Tshinval. Also should return all grasped hostages – living + not crippled (as Georgians like it to do).
?? Georgia will pay MORE – if will disagree on a reparation.
Who said Kosovo’s unique? A precedent cannot but be a precedent even if the State Dep wishes it so. And who said that it is only allowed to the West to aplly hypocricy in international relations? The Russians seem to be applying the NATO-style rhetoric quite smoothly.
It would have been stupid of Russia to let such a chance pass by when Saakashvili has willfully got himself and his country into a trap. Probably he was encouraged by Americans but has screwed the things up. Thus even the “international community” cannot come out with a unanimous and resolute condemnation of Russia so far for it is too clear who has brewed it all.
Hoping that the USA and Bush would be harder on Russia will do little but cause false hope.
The USA trained the Georgia Troops and why you might as? seems their is allot of Oil running through Georgia. People are dying in various places around the world and the only countries getting any help from the USA are countries that have natural resources the USA can plunder.
They went to Iraq to help the people.(oil)Iran is now in their sights and why? to bring democracy? truth is because Iran is the 4th largest exporter of oil in the World. Afghanistan is full of natural gas. HMMMMM see a pattern.
SO sitting in your chair and pointing blame at Russia is very easy but to talk with facts an blame the Nation that has caused this problem will separate the men from boys.
The USA is pissed at Russia over Iran so they mess with Russia through Georgia and do you really think that Russia will let this transgression pass with out sending a message.
The people of Georgia should be upset with the USA nation and the globe should condemn them.
Georgia is to blame for the conflict , it is responsible for the genocide of Ossetian people when they invaded Tshinval city and now they are asking West to preserve their “democratic ” country from Russians, people are not well informed about that conflict at all, they think that Russia is the agressor
IF THE UNITED STATES DOES GET INVOLVED IT WOULD BE BAD, IF WE DO NOT GET INVOLVED IT WILL BE BAD, IF WE GET INVOLVED IT SAYS TO THE WORLD WE WILL PROTECT OUR INTEREST AND IF WE DON’T IT SAYS JUST THE OPPOSITE AND WELL I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO THINK, BUT I DO KNOW THAT RUSSIA DOESN’T WANT A WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES AS WE ARE ONLY A POLICE FORCE IN IRAQ, BUT WITH RUSSIA WE WOULD BE AT WAR AND WE WOULD DOMINATE AND DEVISTATE THEIR COUNTRY. WE SHOULD ALL PRAY THIS COMES TO A PEACEFUL END WITH AT LITTLE BLOODSHED AS POSSIBLE.
Russia just repeats what US and NATO did in Kosovo and Iraq. Nothing new. Obvoiusly they did tehir homework well and learnd the lesson from the western powers how to act.
US and NATO are not in a position to do much except giving vocal warnings to Russia. This battle is much more then for people of South Ossetia. Georgia is trying to be NATO member and Russia will not accept a NATO member so close to it.
The best diplomatic effort is to eliminate Russia’s membership from UN Security Council. Russia is bully and understands only tough language.
Russia stop cooperation with Cuba after Soviet Union collapsed.
But americans are puting themselves in Ucraine, Georgia,
Poland, Czech Rep.,Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, etc…
It seems that economical and political puisance of Rusia is simply not tolerable for U.S.
Now Russia must set military bases in Cuba and Venezuela, and let’s see how american people will like this.
Real danger in the world is american international politics, which sponsored monsters like Bin Laden.
Introducing Georgia to the US public with an utterly ruthless bombardment of the civilian population of Tskhinvali was extremely stupid, especially at the start of the Olympics. In response the US public could well demand the US pull its troops out of Georgia and terminate any military aid, and I would also guess Georgia should now forget any NATO bid.
It is easy – Georgia lets Ossetians and Abkhazians decide for themselves, gives them back their land they were living in for centuries, alongside Georgian neighbors, not killing (not to say bombing) anyone. And then Georgia will join NATO, construct that priceless pipeline and become rich and respected member of the European civilization. After 1992 and 2008 atrocities neither Ossetia, not Abkhazia will agree to stay with the people, who celebrated in the streets of Tbilisi artillery shelling of defenseless Tskhinvali. It resembles the way Palestinians dance and sing every time they blow up another bomb in Izrail. And Georgians were heartily greeting the killings of Christians, their brothers. And Western world reaction to what is going on clearly shows that all your words about ‘democratic values’ are meaningless.
To protect Sudet Germans Hitler grabbed Czechoslovakia. To protect a bunch of bandits with Russian passports Stalin… I am sorry Putin is grabbing Georgia. Europeans can not understand, that Russia needs them to buy Russian oil and gas as much as Europe needs oil and gas. Russia is a huge Venezuela armed by nuclear weapon stolen from USA after WW2. We are witnessing now the result of the European “bravery” rejecting Georgia and Ukraine NATO membership. Wake up before it is too late. WW2 started by European coward ness.
Dear All! Georgian military forces attacked the city of Zhinvali without any prior notification. City was ruined by Georgian fire! More than 1500 people dead because of stupid attack from Georgian side! More than 30000 flew the region! There is no truth on the most of public European mass media sources! There is a real humanitarian catastrophe in the S. Osetia. Shame on US, shame on UN.. What is going on in this crazy world, where ordinary people may be killed at their exploded hoses because of one crazy man (Saakashvili) orders? Have you seen Georgian tank flatted running woman? Have your heard children groans under the crashed houses? Welcome to S. Osetia. Come and ask witnesses. Wake up, WORLD! This is not that point we wanted to reach…
Shame for the leaders of Grate civilized countries ! I mean first of all Germany, Italy, and US with Grate Britain. They showed their cowardice, narrow-mindedness and self-interest in their international affairs.
They just pulled their tongues in and put tail between their legs. They even can’t see how depended they became on Russia, for a short period of time. Now Russia is killing Georgia then they’ll kill Ukraine. The next will be Europe put under control.
The leaders of Russia are greedy business men striving for power with no human morale and democratic values. They cultivate separatism in a neighbouring Ukraine, furtively support fascism within its boarders The civilized world is under danger.
I totally agree with previous (above)comment. I hardly can understand the stupid behavior of US (and UN also…) in this situation… Just interesting what sort of benefits they’re going to seize by supporting Tbilisi. Meanwhile, I want to emphasize that “utterly ruthless bombardment of the civilian population of Tskhinvali” (caused more than 1500 civilians dead) was initiated from Georgian side! Normally it may be considered as a real offence!
Bad gamble on Georgian part. Bad result for both Russia and Georgia. The real victims are the people on the ground. Retarded geopolitical games for dubious result.
The developed democracies should immediately provide humanitarian help to all affected in the fighting.
Read Alexander Litvinenko’s book ‘Blowing up Russia’ and you will understand what Putin and his cohorts are capable of doing to their neighbours.
The Russians have rightfully raised the question of whether the Georgian military has committed egregious war crimes in Tskhinvali and neighboring villages in South Ossetia, a blatant violation of international law. Therefore the US, Europe and Russia should agree that once fighting has ended in South Ossetia, then international war crime investigators should be immediately dispatched to document the evidence for international war crimes. However under international law Georgian President Saakashvili can’t be arrested for committing war crimes until he leaves office, which means that the Russians will also have to agree to negotiate with him while he remains in power.
It is time to let the Russians know there is a line they are crossing! If they do not agree to pull back, then allow Georgia into NATO immediately and send a NATO peacekeeping force. The Russian leadership will find itself villified like Hitler before WW2, if they do not start to act like the superpower they profess to be. History always repeats itself. This time it is Mr. Putin.
DERRICK explains that US would devastate Russia. How very true. Unfortunately, this means that US would be equally devastated as Russia is also not Iraq and has sufficient amount of strategic and tactical nuclear weapons to lay waste on any and all countries in the world. Just like US. So Derric, what do you propose, 3rd world war?
Saakashvili gambled badly and unfortunately he is not likely to pay the price, but the soldiers and civilians on both sides. He broke promises, both written and spoken not to use force to bring back Ossetia and Abkhazia.
At first glance this is a scary situation but in reality how can Bush say anything about Russia when Bush has invaded a country that was not threatening the US (Iraq).
Georgia is to blame for the conflict , it is responsible for the genocide of Ossetian people when they invaded Tshinval city and now they are asking West to preserve their “democratic ” country from Russians, people are not well informed about that conflict at all, they think that Russia is the agressor
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Georgia can be blamed for the humanitarian disaster in Tskhinvali, but not for the whole conflict. Russia has been cynically manipulating S. Ossetia and Georgia to this point for years.
How do we know? Consider the condition of the roads across the border from N. Ossetia to S. Ossetia. Is it one narrow road, or two? I forget just where the Kori tunnel is. But either way, it was impossible for Russia to get so many tanks and troops into S. Ossetia so quickly unless they were already prepared for this.
That is why I am not the only Western observer to notice that they have been manipulating and planning for this. They baited him, and that hot-head Saakashvili foolishly swallowed the bait.
DERRICK explains that US would devastate Russia. How very true. Unfortunately, this means that US would be equally devastated as Russia is also not Iraq and has sufficient amount of strategic and tactical nuclear weapons to lay waste on any and all countries in the world.
===========================
Both of you are forgetting: we know now that even a small number of warheads will do serious, long-term damage to the entire Earth’s atmosphere. What? Don’t you like to breathe?
Dear Matt,
I thought that was precisely my idea. Sorry if I have not been clear on that.
………. “to use force when dealing with any attempt to stage ..(replace)……, and to open fire, shoot to kill and destroy any criminal who attempts to cause turmoil. We will not spare bullets against these people.”
This is the Mr.Mihail Sakasvili you wont hear from on CNN.
Forgive me if I need some clarity, Isn’t Georgia the same breakaway republic from the soviet union with the SECOND largest(behind Russia) stockpile of Nuclear weapons? I seem to recall they possessed quite a large supply before the disarmament started and doubt they got rid of them all. If I lived anywhere near that area and Russia decides not to back off, I would plan to move and quickly. Whether Russia was aiding a breakaway or using it as an excuse really doesn’t matter now. All it takes is an act of desperation by a leader it seems everyone agrees is a hothead. Surprised there is no more commentary along these lines as it seems allowing Iran to have One causes apoplexy among many UN representatives.
All it seems to be arranged by the two main actors in the Big Game, after the last NATO summit this year…
Yes, I’m talking about Bush and Putin…
Remember the Bush sr.’s bad joke with the Iraqis, in the first Gulf War? The one with shiites – how US will support them against Sadam? It’s the same here…
Like father like son.
The lifeblood of Russia is at stake. Oil and Gas have pumped up the Russian economy. Georgia is essential to Russia. South Ossetia is just a red herring for Moscow. The lives of those living in the Georgian Republic are in Moscow’s view simple pawns. The pawns will be sacrificed to ensure Medvedev,Putin and Moscow’s power structure remain in control.
You scoff, laugh or even think ” this guy is one of those conspiracy nuts.” First, let me ask you to pull up a map of the regions oil and gas pipelines. I suggest the University of Texas library map of Caspian Sea Oil and Gas pipelines however, goggle this areas oil and gas pick the one you like.
Now look at the map of Georgia and surrounding regions. Note just to the east of Georgia is Chechnya. Look at all the existing and planned pipelines. This war in Georgia is about control of those pipelines. Yeah, sure, protection of the population, democracy, or on the other side lives of Russian citizens and their rights play a part in this war. But, the part is small or secondary to the Oil and Gas for Moscow and maybe even Georgia and it’s allies.
Russia controls the flow of Gas to much of Europe with the pipelines. Moscow has already used this control in the past few years in Europe cutting of the supply of gas to one of it’s former states. France, Germany and others in europe will dissent against the war in Georgia but not too much. Why?
Think about it now, be honest with yourself. People are dieing as you think and I write. I do not care if you are European, American, Russian, or from elsewhere. The reality is harsh, ugly and painful.
Here it is:
1. Moscow will not allow it’s control over the smooth flow of oil and gas to be controlled by anyone other than Moscow!
2. Europe would be hurt badly if Moscow tightened the screws on oil and gas flow to France, Germany etc. This means some political indignation will be allowed by European nations but not too much.
3. America although an ally of Georgia and defender of budding democracies will do essentially nothing! Why? The president is a lame duck not long for office therefore unless American lives are taken or threatened nothing happens but loud talk and words of indignation. The other reason is American forces are tied down in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, etc. Additionally,this battle if joined by America would be one of very extended supply lines with a mix of tired Reserve and regular forces.
4. NATO would go into this with one hand tied behind it’s back and further hampered by the United Nations.
5. The United Nations is a paper tiger tied up by it’s member nations and a very confused internal bureaucracy. It will do nothing except posture, bluster, and talk in the misnamed security council.
Georgia is doomed. President Mikheil Saakashvili is in trouble along with his countrymen and women.The sad part is Moscow knows this, President Bush and his european counterparts know it.
Moscow will retain control of the pipelines while a flegling deomocracy dies along with innocent women and children. There is no white knight coming, the calvary is involved elsewhere and quiet blackmail by Moscow ensures no one will get involved.
>They baited him, and that hot-head Saakashvili >foolishly swallowed the bait.
The important question is the following. Russia makes very serious allegations that on Saakashvili’s orders sleeping civilians in the city of 20,000 were bombed at night by heavy artillery and GRAD multiple rocket launchers, resulting in over 1,000 civilian deaths. Gruesome images from Tskhinvali with dead civilians in their underware killed/burnt alive while slleping and running for cover shown on russian TV seem to support the claim. Hence, the issue clearly deserves thorough international investigation.
If confirmed, these allegations might prove that Saakashvili commited crimes of the same scale as those who ordered bombing of Sarajevo and therefore should join Karajic in Hague. Why is this issue totally missed by the international community?
Hmm, seems Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan had the missiles. Georgia was merely a launch site for mid-range missiles aimed at parts of Europe. Still 39,000 warheads reduced to 2,600 supposedly. Did all of Georgia’s launchers make it out during all the turmoil or will we be surprised if mushroom clouds begin to appear? The premise remains if not the large number of weapons.
>Consider the condition of the roads across the border from N. Ossetia to S. Ossetia
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Matt, the road is in a terrible condition – a long tunnel, one lane each way, the tanks were breaking down, blocking the traffic, etc. That’s why it actually took some 48 hrs for any serious Russian force to show up at Tskhinval.
Russia did not want the bloodshed/war. It’s another matter that now we are apparently trying to take it too far (i.e. destabilize Saakashvili and force him out)… I sincerely hope the tanks will stop where they are, i.e. around Tskhinval. This is what seems to be happening, anyways, and hopefully the shooting will die out in a matter of a couple of days…
This will be over and forgotten within six weeks, unless it was a covert action to get a little war started by the Bush cabal to try and help get McCain elected.
When G.W. Bush said Georgia wasn’t standing alone, just how did he think he’d provide air or naval aid to Georgia? From Turkey? How did G.W. Bush expect to provide troop support? Across what air space? Oh, that’s right. G.W. Bush has been kept in power by the American Evangelical Christians, that bunch uneducated people who believe in miracles. G.W. Bush was counting on a miracle.
Next time, before a world leader counts on U.S. support, that world leader might want to check and see if the American Evangelicals have elected another fool in their own image.
The Russians planned this in advance. Massive troop concentrations in the border, advancing armor divisions with thousands of soldiers, screaming jetfighters covering the advance, pincer movement by the Russian, naval blockade, cyber attacks. What’s next? Raising the Russian flag atop the Presidential Palace in Tbilisi?
The Russians knew all along that most of countries in NATO don’t have the nerve to confront them in the battlefield. And they already expected it that the most these countries can do is to complain the Russian tactics, demand troop withdrawal, issue threats. Security Council should be abolished, it’s not functioning right now.
The US must stop Russia NOW! I understand that are forces are thin right now, but remember Georgia has been with us 6 years, 6 YEARS! in Iraq! fought along side are men and women we must not just threaten Russia with hollow words, we have tried that and they do not listen they will understand force! I will be the first one in line at the recruitment office to go (back in) to the service if we do! We must NOT TURN OUR BACK ON GEORGIA! they are everything we the American people swore to protect! and we must they are our friend and allies! Also to the people who think that Georgia killed 1500+ civilian’s in S.Ossetia are wrong they killed 10! Russia killed that many and more when they began targeting civilian targets in Georgia!
We must encourage are politicians to act now before its to late!
I believe what neither Georgian people nor Russians and Osetians wanted the war. However it was saakashvily who initiated the hostilities. Just after his assurance of everlasting peace georgian troops started shelling South Osetia capital which didn’t have any military importance, but was inhabited by peaceful civiliants as you and me! I want to emphasize that the bombardment was made from volley-fire systems which can’t be targeted at military units presicely and shoots on squares and as a consequence causes huge number of victims.
WHAT FOR THIS MASSACRE???? It is the only thing I am wondering if Saakashvili didn’t want the war!!!!
All this resulted in the death ot 1 600 – 2 000 citizens of Osetia, perfidious attack on Russian peacemakers with finishing off the injured soldiers… Please take into account that about 80-90% of the Osetian people have Russian passports, i.e. they are the citizens of the Russian Federation.
And here comes another question: what reaction from Russia did saakashvili expect when it’s citizens are being exterminated?
Just try to imagine that 1 600 – 2 000 Americans or Europeans were killed villainously (but certainly I hope it will never happen). How would you react? Would there be any grade or limit to the respond? I guess nobody would dare calling this reaction disproportional in this case, as it happened after the 11th of September, 2001.
Defenately saakashvili is a criminal after all this. And he ought to be condemned the same way as former Serbian leaders are suited.
Besides, I believe Western countries make a mistake by supporting saakashvili. By the way Georgia has lots of problems with opposition suppression and freedom of media. And now this terrible attack on Osetia! Do you call it democracy? I would name it hypocrisy! Saakashvili totally sullied his reputation as a peaceful seeker if not as a person who possesses common sense. This casts aspersions on ideals of democracy in general.
But saakashvili makes friends with Washington and it forgives him everything!
And concerning revival of Soviet totalitarian ambitions and plans to conquer everyone – is it Russia who is expanding it’s military facilities and infrastructure all over the world? Just compare defense budget expenditures in US and Russia!
REMEMBER IRAQ & KOSOVO………
Looks like beating the war drum on Iran was a bit of a distraction.
The dear people of the world! You do not be aware whole truths of war in South Osetia.Excuse me for my bad english. I have lived in Osetia 39 years and now I have to abandon my house and my country because my house crashed,my family is perished. And all this due to Saakashvili.You think he has order to bomb peace autonomous republic in a part of his country? 1600 persons perished!!! Saakashvili terrorist!!!He must be in prison!!! I love peace and liberty. I want peace and liberty!!!
The people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia want to be independent or part of Russia. If you argue for democracy, then that should be the solution, which is completely what the Russians are defending. Also the US has supported military a country with conflict borders to Russia, for sure not something that can be accepted.
What about the US presence in Georgia training Georgia’s troops? What about American influence for Shakasvilli to be brave enough to start up the conflict? The so called Georgian peacemakers attacked the Russian peacemakers and citizens alike, killing almost 2,000 some of them in operations which can only be likened to genicide, old people, women and children butchered.
Wake up world and take an unbiased view of this. Russia is not the aggressor here.
Everywhere I see photos of one town – Gori, but where is destroyed S.Osetia?, may be need show people on world aerial photography of this place?
Georgians and their US-masters would never be forgiven for recent mass slaughter in South Ossetia. Brutal massacre of S. Ossetian civilians by Georgian army during the first days of military operation was nothing but an extreme point of man-hatred. A few examples of acts of genocide are given below.
The road from regional hub Znaur to the village of Dzhava is covered with corpses of S. Ossetian civilians – including women, elders and children. It’s still impossible to bury the dead as all moving objects in that area immediately come under fire of Georgian snipers and artillery.
Tkhsinval, August 8, 2008. According to eyewitnesses a group of S. Ossetian children was burnt alive inside two refugee’s minibuses which headed to Vladikavkaz.
The Khetagurovo massacre – another tragedy of Zharsk province. All young ladies of Khetagurovo village were kidnapped and driven away in unknown direction. Other villagers – men, women and elders were blocked in the building of local church and set on fire. Children were murdered separately. Georgians chopped children’s heads off in presence of their parents. Kidnapped girls have been raped and tortured, their genitals disfigured.
We want to believe that after all Saakashvili’s junta will face adeserved trial soon.
THE VILLAIN IN THIS CONFLICT IS DEFINITLY THE AGGRESSOR, NAMELY THE PRESIDENT AND MISGUIDED MIKHEIL SAAKASHVILI. PROBABLY HE RECEIVED A GREEN LIGHT SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE CIA OR THE PENTAGON. LIKE SADDAM HUSSEIN, MIKHEIL SAAKASHVILLI MUST GO BY ALL MEANS. REMEMBER WHAT PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH, THE 41ST DID IN 1991 ? SAAKASHVILLI IS BAD AND A RISKY PRESIDENT TO GEORGIA, TO NATO, TO RUSSIA AND TO THE CAUCASIAN COUNTRIES. IT SEEMS SAAKASHVILI’S AMERICAN EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCES, IF ANY, HAVE BEEN USED FOR WRONG AND DESTRUCTIVE PURPOSES. RUSSIANS ARE CORRECT WHEN THEY SAID THAT THE PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA MUST GO.
THE RUSSIAN ACTION WAS PROPER AND CORRECT GIVEN THE SITUATION IN THAT REGION AND THE CURRENT EXISTING GEO-POLITICAL CONDITIONS. NEITHER THE NATO NOR THE U.S. CAN AND WILL TAKE ANY MILITARY ACTION TO PROTECT THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ACTION OF THE PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA.
THE CURRENT FIRM ACTION SHOULD ALSO BE A GOOD LESSON TO THE PRESIDENT GUL OF TURKEY AND TO PRESIDENT ALIYEV OF AZERBAIJAN, WHO BOTH ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING TO ATTACK A NEIGHBORING INDEPENDENT COUNTRY. ANY TYPE OF MILITARY ATTACK BY ALIYEV AND HIS MISGUIDED MILITARY SUPPORTED BY TURKEY, WILL DEFINITELY BRING AN END TO ALIYEV AND A GREAT DISASTER TO AZERBAIJAN.
PRESIDENT ALIYEV, GOVERN YOUSELF AND YOUR MILITARY PEOPLE ACCORDINGLY.
THE CAUCASUS IS INDEED A RUSSIAN ZONE.
It looks like Bush Cheney & co. have found the right guys and place to check their imperialistic policy. The message is clear: by kicking Saakashvili’s ass, Putin is kicking the Americans and the Israeli out of the theater. This time the US will not be able to impose the “democratic rule of American law”. To many body bags will have to go back home.
Why the western media is deliberately ignoring the fact the Georgia signed a peace pact, attacked South Osettia on the same day, killing and bombing S Osettians by the hundreds in the Capital city, without any response from any human-rights-flaunting country in Europe or North America, while at the same time keep hammering and clamoring that Russia, which responded hours after the launch of atrocities by Georgia, is to blame for the crisis?
And it is funny if you listen carefully to what the US officials said–Russia must stop fighing..Russsia must… blah blah blah–, then what about Georgia? isn’t Georgia supposed to stop fighting too?
Now, if you reflect on the remarkable similarity of this situation to Kosovo, and the equally striking tonal differences of Western countries, you will see a textbook case of hypocrisy in action.
So if China , God forbid, should follow Georgian suit in its own sometimes sessionist regions, one would like to hear whether or not US and Europe would urge the world to ‘respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty’ of China.
you are darn right, I am Chinese. but I am also a Christian who believes that one should deal even-handedly with universal application of human dignity and equitability( which is, truthfully, sometimes not so well protected in my own home country). I don’t believe I am in any position to judge, and what I do believe is that Champions of democracy and human rights should work hard to shake off the sinful disposition to double talk on doulbe standards, if they want to convince the world they are serious about those core values instead of letting down people who trust them.
When georgians attack Tshinvali it is genocide, when russians throws bombs on civil hoses there is no bad
Walwolf,
Russia had prepared because Ossetia crisis has been going on for months now. From all the evidence we can find, the Georgians initiated the escalation from small fighting to fully blown invasion of Ossetia on Thursday/Friday, right as the Olympics were starting.
If you read the current news (not the government press releases), you can see that the activities have calmed down. Russia never did take Gori (as opposed to what the Georgian government was claiming) and instead has been using the deserted town to claim that “the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming!”
Read the rhetoric coming from Georgia today. Their verbiage has no other purpose than get the west to send them troops, money, and weaponry.
I’ll being to trust Georgia again when they learn to stop lying like Bush.