The temperature at the United Nations Security Council hasn’t been this high in years — and it’s not because the U.N. management raised the thermostat slightly to cut electricity costs. It’s due to the heated exchange of insults and accusations between Russia and the United States, which has reached a fever pitch reminiscent of the Cold War years.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad accused Russia on Sunday of using the Georgian incursion into Georgia’s breakaway enclave of South Ossetia as an excuse for a massive military assault against its tiny pro-Western neighbor whose ultimate goal is “regime change” in Tbilisi. He also assailed Moscow for waging a “campaign of terror” against the civilian population of Georgia, a former Soviet republic.
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin shot back that regime change is an “American invention” and suggested it was hypocritical of Washington to talk about attacks on civilians in light of what it has done in Iraq, Afghanistan and Serbia. Churkin said Russia is only trying to defend its peacekeepers and protect civilians from Georgian “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” in South Ossetia, a small pro-Moscow province that threw off Tbilisi’s rule in the 1990s and has been managed by Russian troops since.
There’s a subtext to this dispute and it isn’t just the U.S. and European support for the declaration of independence of Kosovo, a former breakaway region of Serbia that seceded in February. Serbia and its ally Russia were both enraged by what they saw as an unjustified tearing away of a large chunk of Serbian territory in violation of international law. (Of course, the Georgian separatists in South Ossetia and Abkhazia — another Georgian breakaway region — took notice.)
Tensions between Russia and the United States have been simmering for a while.
When the United States announced it was planning to build a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic several years ago, then President Vladimir Putin was outraged. He dismissed U.S. statements that the shield was to guard against Iran, not Russia. In February 2007 at a security conference in Munich, Germany, Putin accused the United States of trying to create a “unipolar” world with Washington as its “one single master”. He made clear that Russia would not stand idly by while Washington tried to subjugate the planet. U.S. officials were taken aback at the force of Putin’s speech, which some said sounded like a declaration of a new Cold War.
Russia, richer than ever thanks to its massive oil and gas revenues, has made no attempt to hide its irritation at Washington’s staunch support for Georgia’s NATO aspirations. It views the expansion of NATO towards its borders as an encroachment on its sphere of influence.
Is it possible that when Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili decided to go into South Ossetia and try to put it back under Tbilisi’s control, he gave Russian leaders a golden opportunity to severely punish Georgia’s pro-Western leadership and show the world that Russia is no longer the weak, economically devastated nation it was in the 1990s?
Perhaps the message is — Russia is back, it’s powerful and it won’t tolerate anyone messing around in its backyard.
Or is there another message here?
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Military operation ” Clean Field” which was tried to execute, by Georgian forces, on the civilians in Osetia, was prepared by USA military instructors and is proven method to make fast ethnic cleansing in some part of the world. The USA instructors and US air forces succeeded to do similar operation named “Oluja” - Storm in Croatia with Serbian civilians, more then 10 years ago. Normally nobody in the western media did not published that.
- Posted by BranislavUnfortunately for Georgia and his clever president on the other side was Russia, and not stupid Milosevic. The price will pay Georgia and their people. Clever Georgian president allowed himself to be involved in crime against humanity and civilians and on that way take mark on all Georgians. This type of crimes are regular for some superpower Iraq, Afghanistan,Serbia,Guantanamo, Nicaragua, Vietnam, maybe Iran etc. I repeat that this military operation is against civilian. On the end result is: that only light in nowadays world against USA tyranny is Russia which succeeded to save innocent civilians from genocide well prepared in USA kitchen. Thanks god Russia arising.
RUSSIA IS THE BALANCE OF POWER NEEDED IN THE WORLD TODAY, TO COUNTER THE US AGRESSION ON THE ENTIRE WORLD. THIS AGRESSION IS BROUGHT ON US BY THE ALL-POWERFUL US JEWISH LOBBY….ON THE BACKS OF THE US TAXPAYER.
THE NEW YORK JEWISH MEDIA KEEP THESE FIRES WELL-STOKED, AND HAVE HINDERED A TRULY FINE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (RON PAUL) FROM BEING SEEN AND HEARD. YOUR VOTE FOR RON PAUL IN NOVEMBER IS LEGAL….AND STILL MAY GET HIM ELECTED.
THIS WILL STOP MOST OF OUR PROBLEMS ABROAD.
RUSSIA IS WELL WITHIN THEIR RIGHTS TO PROTECT THEIR FLANKS.
THIS COMMENT WILL AGAIN BE QUASHED BECAUSE IT ADDRESSES THE TRUE PROBLEM….AND REUTERS IS A PART OF IT.
- Posted by ART DEKKOWell guys.. As I can see, many of you do nat really understand the situation. I’m from Moscow, but I regulary read foreign papers, so I can estimate situation from various sides.
In two words: Shame on west!
For 5 years (2003 - to date) US trained and armed Saakashvily’s boys… What was the purpose? I’m absolutly confident that Abkhasia & South Osetia could be a part of Georgia if Saakashvili spent that bilions of dollars (500 mln - only for weapons from Israel) for friendship & infrustracture of these republics. Infrustracture was damaged during previous Georgian wars. But US & saakashvili chose another way. It’s about Georgain & US concept.
Now about details. Georgian operation started with GRAD firing attacks. You know what is GRAD (hail)? It is an unguided missile system. One volley covers 145000 m^2.. Suitable weapon for cleaning the city from separatists, hm???
Second: there were 500 peacekeepers armed only with rifles, machine guns and armorded cars. Georgians unleashed artillery, GRAD & tank strikes on them. The wounded were killed with extreme cruelty. What for?
Conclusion: georgians killed civillians (many of them were citizens of Russian Federation), they killed peacekeepers (obviously - to provoke Russia). What did they get after this? Exactly what thay diserved!!!
For those of you who don’t believe me - search for sources… Or (if you are too lasy or too.. hm…) try to remember what US & NATO did to Serbia during the war in Kosovo (massive bombardment of capital - Belgrad, civilian and military infrastructure, etc.). So just sit and wait while we decide it’s enough.
Now about the number of wars (the same comment was posted by “different” athours).
- Posted by Alexander1.Half of that wars were initiated by Russia’s opponents.
2.Try to count US wars (the last 20 years - Grenada(89), Somali, Iraq (91), Ugoslavia, Iraq(94), Serbia(99), Afganistan, Iraq…). Seems enough ))
3.During last 100 years Georgia was independent for 21 years at all. During those periods of independance Georgia started 7 wars. Not bad for 5 mln counyry.
All that foreign media did not write the truth, why you are cheating the whole world, not attacking Russia, Georgia began to bomb South Ossetia, 2000 died peaceful peoples. Georgian troops to pursue the Russian peacekeepers, raping women, looting houses and shops. Flood basements where people are hiding. Saakashvili puppet in the hands of American and fas?ist. Russia Return!!!
- Posted by Vladimir(Spare us from your twisted delusions, Locus publicus. At least truth is debateable in a democracy, not so in a totalitarian form of government.- Posted by John Blank )
Dear John how debatable was truth when your democractic government (USA) toppled south American countries socialistic governments to bring democracy. Millions died. For what…to bring democracy?? How sure are you of the democratic nature of the Georgian government. How democratic is it that Georgia tried to forcefully assimilate people that chose not to be part of that country by choice and referendum. Who are you to deny the choice of South Ossetia. John, democracy is as big a lie as any other governmental system. Wake up. In the end it is moral that the South Ossetian people determine their future for themselves.
- Posted by Locus publicusWhen will all humans learn that we a simply all humans and that we should learn to just live and let live. We let a tiny percent of the population control and govern this beautiful earth so death, destruction, corruption and greed can prosper. Everything is a perception, we all perceive things differently. Who is right - who is wrong - BUT most of all, who cares. Lets look after our planet and ecosystem and nurse our beautiful mother back to health so she can reward us with a life. We poison our mother with our greed, but remember we need our mother to survive.
- Posted by TixilixI live in Russia.
- Posted by AndCNN & BBC show starts of rockets which are started by Georgians on peace inhabitants of South Ossetia and speak, that Russia bombs Georgians!
Saakashvili fills in with water (on channels of an irrigation) Tskhinvali that peace inhabitants could not be hidden more in cellars from its mortars! The Georgian snipers who have surrounded Tskhinvali, shoot at heads of women and old men! You do not see it, but witnesses of events speak about it all. Saakashvili has wiped out city for one day and has destroyed 1500 peace inhabitants.
Russia is not guilty in these events. This war is not necessary to Russia.
Look how the reporters of the world-known Reuters news agency are working. It is they who supply the world with “truthful information”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-VIU5StZ p0
- Posted by RedTragedy in South Ossetian villages Satikary and Khetagurovo
In the beginning of South Ossetia assault, Georgian armed units attacked Satikary village of Tskhinvali district. Eyewitnesses testify that after the first shots, the locality with 170 houses was struck with panic: people in despair run out in the streets and scattered in different directions without knowing what happened.
Majority of them aimed to shelter themselves in the woods. Due to this fact, some of the village inhabitants managed to escape. The militiamen were engaged in their rescue as well. Also from eyewitness reports, the death of one of militiamen, Leonid Doguzov, became known. 45-year-old militiaman covered the withdrawal of civilians but was killed during the fire-fight. Later, his home-folks counted six killed Georgian soldiers around him. The relatives buried Leonid Doguzov in the garden of his own house after the fighting. His little children, a boy and a girl, and his wife escaped by the miracle. The militiamen conveyed them in a place of safety, then transported to Dzhava district, and eventually they were sent to North Ossetia.
According to Doguzov’s relatives who got in touch with their home-folks on the phone, Satikary village remains in hand of Georgian armed units. The tanks belonging to the Georgian army are still situated in the village. There are the evidences that some part of the village, mainly invalid and old people who were unable to escape into the woods during military attack, have been taken hostage and transported to Georgian city Gori.
The tragedy also took place in Ossetian village Khetagurovo. Here, Georgian soldiers succeeded to take hostage group of people, among whom there were the girls, women, and elderly people. There were the eyewitness reports that the Georgian soldiers sexually assaulted the group of girls and young women. In this village, people were squashed by the apron wheels of the tanks as eyewitnesses said.
- Posted by RedRussia is an pure aggressor and is nothing to discuss about it. I’ve seen the war in Kosovo and I don’t wish to anyone to see or worst feel the war tensions.
- Posted by AlbanBut Kosovo was totally different, it was the part of Yugoslavia Federation which no more exist.
Russian on this argument plays on two standards, first they get at USA and West countries for taking Kosovo form Serbia,on the other hand attack an independent country for taking his province.
I think and a blind man can understand this clear situation of Russia & the new cold which they are trying to start.
To Dave: “As far as I’m concerned, South Ossetia was never recognized as an independent country by the world. As far as the world is concerned S. Ossetia and Abkhazia are both territories of Georgia”.
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But why Cosovo was recognized as an indepedent part of Serbia, and Osetia and Abkhazia were not? Double standarts. Georgia and Cosovo are pro-american unfortunatelly for Serbia and Osetia.
“Russia obviously has an issue with this as they want those territories for themselves”
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Russia is the biggest country in the world it has vast massives of it’s own unassimilated land. Do you really believe that it would breake out a war for occupation of regions which don’t have any natural resourses, developed cities, important infrastructure, trading routes or other valuable assets? There are only rocks there! Besides these countries are underdeveloped economically. That means they are sure to be sponsored from the Russian budget.
- Posted by El SabioFrankly speaking there is an opinion that Russia would benefit if it refused from these regions and leave them for their own and avoid donating them. But the people of Osetia are citizens of the Russian Federation and it’s a must to protect them
There seems to be so much rhetoric in this discussion. There are too many posts with typical propoganda and general blame pushing. If Ossetia is actually a “Liberated” part of Georgia then it would be considered a part of russia. Instead it is still considered a rogue state in Georgia. Georgia has every right to try and instill law in its lands and Russia has every right to protect its citizens. They could have done this like any other sensible country would do with their personnel in a foreign and issue public safety warning telling them to get out and assisting them in every possible way. Instead they invade. It is a typical communist approach to the situation. Flex. Show the world what happens. Prove you are headed back to your former “Glory”. Russia doesn’t understand that the western world is not afraid of it anymore. Everyone has seen what russia is. Try and blame the U.S as much as you want. Not being a U.S citizen it is pretty easy to not take sides but instead I have. Russia needs to realise that if it pushes it will have the EU and U.S with all their allies against it. It may be another world war but I don’t think that Russia will be able to take it that far again. They can’t afford it nor can they risk another Deep depression as with the one which followed the cold war. All in all it was either a very poor move to put so much force and power into Georgia or a very calculated one.
- Posted by CharlieI 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!
- Posted by El Sabiothe U.S has no right to pass judgement on Russia’s attacks! and I assure you they are not dumb enough to get involved. We can’t even handle Iraq, and when was the last time the U.S actually won a military conflict with someone that actually had an army?
- Posted by BetoOn the subject of Georgia/Russia and Ossetia…..an article in yesterdays NY Times had it about right for my ideas as to what HAS happened. When US/Euro/Nato involved themselves in the action of Kosovo breaking away from Serbs and Croats (Macedonians and Albainians–Enver Hoxha would be spinning in his grave over this…) the Russians TOLD the Americans and others at the UN Security Council that by setting the precedence on Kosovo, they were setting the table for Ossetia breaking away (again) from Georgia. Complicating matters is Georgia’s aspirations to join NATO, putting a big thorn in the underbelly of Russia and blocking their lines of communication with Iran…. Now that this chess move is underway, the response from the US would/should be to shut up or trade Iran for Kosovo…since Russia has been “supporting” the US in Iran re the nuclear “agenda”.
Pretty clear to me that the cowboy mentality has been usurped by the “old European” ways of politics and diplomacy. In short, it is obvious to the entire world that Putin is still a Master at his game, especially in his own back yard.
“Let the games begin”/Checkmate.
Bests,
- Posted by John McCarthyJohn
vpocv@hotmail.com
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!
- Posted by mike kruseWe must encourage are politicians to act now before its to late!
And to all the people that think Georgia started the war (YOU ARE WRONG) S.Ossetia is part of Georgia! not Russia! lets “pretend for a sec” Ok the US gives passports to Canadians in Canada lets say in BC. then we put 3,000 US troops in Canada to protect a new citazins living there, then some people in BC want to be part of the US and start fighting Canada, the Canadians attake the rebals in BC 10 of US (peace keepers) get killed and the US launch’s a all out astult on Canada. HMMMMM that does not make much sence to me….. So tell me again how Georgia started this fight with Russia. like I just showed you it would be like Canada started this fight with the US.
This is nothing more than greed on the part of russia. Do you think Putin didn’t pick this time (ie the 2008 olympics are going on) & (u.s. troops being tied up) since it was convenient for him/russia? As he thinks no one will be watching since the olympics are on…Putin is ex-KGB and is nothing more than an evil killer-how many innocents did he murder before coming to power…who knows. The russians are bombing civilian targets of Georgia and killing civilians. This is a staright forward imperial takeover of an independent country and has nothing to do with any russians living in georgia (georgia has less than 1.5% russian population). If the russians don’t leave, the U.S. may eventually send in troops-this could be the start of WW3.
- Posted by Dude1. russia is a democracy officialy
- Posted by DWB2. georgia would still be a democracy under a democratic russia
3. nato intervention will be limited to advisers and intelegence operations. many european nations do not want to intervene. the fear of having to deal with the shanghi cooperation organization a russia-china military organization that is 3 times the size of nato is very real
4. russia will eventually pull out of georgia within the end of the month due to lack of national support in russia and international talks
The occupation of Ukraine by Russia - 1650s
- Posted by Alexander 50 RUSRussia - Crimea - 1783
Russia - Poland - 1795
Russia - Eastern Georgia - September 21, 1801; April 1802
Russia – Georgia (1810-1864)
Mass murdering of 1 Million Caucasians by Russia - 1859-1880
Russia - Japan - 1905-1905
Russia -Poland - 1920
Russia - Azerbaijan - 1920
Russia - Armenia - 1920
Russia - Poland -1939
Russia - Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia - 1940
Russia (USSR) - Finland - 1940
Russia (USSR) - Hungary - 1956
Russia (USSR) - Czechoslovakia - 1968
Russia (USSR) - Afghanistan - 1979-1989
Russia - Georgia - 1919, 1920 (April-May), 1921, 1924, 1991-93
Russia - Georgia - August 2008……………………………… … ????????????
Welcome to Russia! Friends, we are not agressors… We are peace people, but our armoured train is on the siding. If you will see the CNN report, you understand that Saacashvili is crazy man. We are not going to Tbilisee… it’s nonsense. Poeple who living in Osetia and Abhazia are hate Georgia, and never will be live with them in unit country.
- Posted by KonstantinPS: sorry for my English…