News Georgian - South Ossetian - Russian Conflict

[Borek]

evidence of openness of modern Russian media which allows all kinds of opinions on the airwaves

Sad joke. Russian media seems to be open and allowing only as long as they are seen as harmless by the government. Once they do, state has many ways of dealing with them.

Sure, I am basing my opinion on what I read outside of Russia, so it could be that whole world is prejudiced. Somehow I find it hard to believe.

My neighbor have spent 2 years in Moscow, working for some Polish company selling building materials. At the beginning everything went smooth, but once the political tensions between Poland and Russia grew it was much harder and harder to sell anything for no apparent reasons. Last December he decided it doesn't make sense and he get back to Poland. Here he have learned that as we are building more and more thanks to EU funds, we need more and more cement and the cement price skyrocketed, as Polish industry was not ready to produce such large quantities. As he had already contacts and enough money to try to make some money on import he asked cement sellers in Russia if they have cement available. Yes, they do. Will they sell cement to Poland? Не лзя. That's economic freedom in Russian. Sorry, I have no reasons to think press freedom looks diferent.

 

[Andre]

This means that Russian troops appeared in South Ossetia at least 5:30 hours later than Georgian regular army started to shell Tshinvali by "Grad" multiple missile launchers.

Any idea how much preparation it takes reacting, before you have an army from the baracks into charging ahead? Think in weeks rather than hours. This leaves no conclusion that somebody knew what was coming.

 

[seycyrus]

...hotels. By his own admission his job is to wage global "information war" on the side of Georgia. I don't know about his buddy writer. But I don't count them as impartial and independent observers.

Let's see the admission.

 

[meopemuk]

Let's see the admission.

 

[meopemuk]

So we have Putin who accuses the U.S. of putting Georgia up to provocation, and Georgia which is contradictory.

I don't know what to believe anymore.

I usually don't believe in conspiracy theories, but here is one for you.

Look objectively at who has benefited from this debacle:

Russia? No. Now it is isolated in the world, with good prospect of economic sanctions and nothing of value in return. Putin and Medvedev seem to be sharp enough to calculate this outcome in advance if they were the ones who planned this conflict.

Georgia? No. Saakhashvili knew quite well what would be Russia's response and that he cannot win this war.

There is one clear winner in this war: John McCain. In times of cold war and military confrontation the nation doesn't need a black liberal with a strange-sounding name as a president. The nation needs a tough military hero who will save the world from Russian domination.

I can imagine these words said by Condy Rice when she visited Saakhashvili in July: "Misha, this is a tough job, but you can do it. Of course, Russians will beat you up and you'll lose South Ossetia and Abkhazia. But you've lost the trust of people living in these territories long ago anyway. You'll start this war and we'll make sure that this will escalate into a new cold war with Russia. Our friend John will be elected as a president, and John won't let you down. You'll get NATO membership and whatever you want from us."

Don't you see from the history of preparations to the Iraq war that neocons will not stop at anything (including deliberate lies to the American people and to the UN) when they want something. They surely want very much to remain in the White House. Do you think they'll limit their election campaign to townhouse meetings and TV advertisements? What if a little provocation in remote Georgia can increase their chances?

Yesterday Russians found an American passport in one of buildings defended by Georgian commandos:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080827/plane_georgia_080828/20080828?hub=World

Who was this guy? An unfortunate American tourist found himself in the conflict zone? I doubt that.

 

[WmLambert]

Any idea how much preparation it takes reacting, before you have an army from the baracks into charging ahead? Think in weeks rather than hours. This leaves no conclusion that somebody knew what was coming.

More importantly, the particular elite Moscow-based troops that entered into South Ossetia had been pre-positioned there. This was no simple on-site reaction.

Also, the posts I've shared said the Separatists had been attacking the Gerorgian enclaves in South Ossetia. The Georgian claim seems to be that most Georgians had been driven out of the area already, and the Separatists were entrenched in the target area.

 

[meopemuk]

Also, the posts I've shared said the Separatists had been attacking the Gerorgian enclaves in South Ossetia. The Georgian claim seems to be that most Georgians had been driven out of the area already, and the Separatists were entrenched in the target area.

Oh yes, Ossetian separatists are blood-thirsty monsters and Georgians are as innocent as newborn babies. Give me a break.

 

[mheslep]

I usually don't believe in conspiracy theories, but here is one for you.

Look objectively at who has benefited from this debacle:

Russia? No. Now it is isolated in the world, with good prospect of economic sanctions and nothing of value in return. Putin and Medvedev seem to be sharp enough to calculate this outcome in advance if they were the ones who planned this conflict.

Georgia? No. Saakhashvili knew quite well what would be Russia's response and that he cannot win this war.

There is one clear winner in this war: John McCain. In times of cold war and military confrontation the nation doesn't need a black liberal with a strange-sounding name as a president. The nation needs a tough military hero who will save the world from Russian domination.

I can imagine these words said by Condy Rice when she visited Saakhashvili in July: "Misha, this is a tough job, but you can do it. Of course, Russians will beat you up and you'll lose South Ossetia and Abkhazia. But you've lost the trust of people living in these territories long ago anyway. You'll start this war and we'll make sure that this will escalate into a new cold war with Russia. Our friend John will be elected as a president, and John won't let you down. You'll get NATO membership and whatever you want from us."

Don't you see from the history of preparations to the Iraq war that neocons will not stop at anything (including deliberate lies to the American people and to the UN) when they want something. They surely want very much to remain in the White House. Do you think they'll limit their election campaign to townhouse meetings and TV advertisements? What if a little provocation in remote Georgia can increase their chances?

Yesterday Russians found an American passport in one of buildings defended by Georgian commandos:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080827/plane_georgia_080828/20080828?hub=World

Who was this guy? An unfortunate American tourist found himself in the conflict zone? I doubt that.

Yes, of course, it was the neocons, whoever they are. This is crackpottery.

 

[quadraphonics]

In times of cold war and military confrontation the nation doesn't need a black liberal with a strange-sounding name as a president. The nation needs a tough military hero who will save the world from Russian domination.

Well, that logic would be salient if the presidential election in question were in, say, the Baltic states, or Ukraine, or maybe Poland. Or Georgia. But it's going to take a lot more than this to make Americans worry about Russian domination. The military spending of NATO runs to around half of Russia's GDP, so a "New Cold War" wouldn't amount to a whole lot. With the West remaining strong, and Asia outgrowing Russia, the whole affair looks more like the flailing of a former superpower that hasn't fully grasped its dimunition to a second-tier power.

 

[meopemuk]

Well, that logic would be salient if the presidential election in question were in, say, the Baltic states, or Ukraine, or maybe Poland. Or Georgia. But it's going to take a lot more than this to make Americans worry about Russian domination. The military spending of NATO runs to around half of Russia's GDP, so a "New Cold War" wouldn't amount to a whole lot. With the West remaining strong, and Asia outgrowing Russia, the whole affair looks more like the flailing of a former superpower that hasn't fully grasped its dimunition to a second-tier power.

I am far from suggesting that Russia-Georgia affair is a major issue of American politics right now. But it makes a good talking point and a definite advantage to McCain. The two candidates are 50/50 in the polls, so every little bit helps. Moreover, we are still 2 months before the election day, many things can happen between now and then.

 

[Art]

Well, that logic would be salient if the presidential election in question were in, say, the Baltic states, or Ukraine, or maybe Poland. Or Georgia. But it's going to take a lot more than this to make Americans worry about Russian domination. The military spending of NATO runs to around half of Russia's GDP, so a "New Cold War" wouldn't amount to a whole lot. With the West remaining strong, and Asia outgrowing Russia, the whole affair looks more like the flailing of a former superpower that hasn't fully grasped its dimunition to a second-tier power.

It is not necessarily about whoever spends the most wins.

Just as a handful of fanatics can cause America to spend trillions of dollars counteracting whatever they may do then I imagine for a relatively small sum Russia could cause America and her allies to spend a hugely disproportionate sum in counter-measures.

It's a pity that after the end of the cold war Russia's request to join NATO was rejected and IMO also a pity that Russia wasn't invited to join the EU as that would have guaranteed peace on the European continent for generations.

In 2002 a survey showed 52% of Russians were in favour of joining the EU and a majority of 2:1 thought improving relations with Europe was more important than improving relations with the US. http://bd.english.fom.ru/report/map/yefimoff/ed021932

Unfortunately it seems the moment has now passed.

 

[Borek]

It's a pity that after the end of the cold war Russia's request to join NATO was rejected

Can you refresh my memory - I don't remember such a moment.

 

[Art]

Can you refresh my memory - I don't remember such a moment.

From 1994

Although NATO rejected a formal special relationship with Russia, it acknowledged that Russia's size, history and military capabilities indeed make it special.

The plan outlines a framework for joint training exercises and exchanges of information about military doctrine, weaponry and standards. It envisions giving all Warsaw Pact countries the same status, without the usual defense commitment that accompanies full membership. The NATO Tightrope

Poland, Hungary and other countries had hoped to become full members, but Moscow made clear that full membership would be seen as a threat to its security.

If NATO opened its doors to the countries of the east, Russia would certainly not be the first to be allowed to join because other countries have gone further in creating democratic and capitalist systems.

In a sign of just how sensitive Russia considers the issue of full NATO membership, Mr. Kozyrev and his delegation vigorously protested a phrase in the draft communique that said active participation in the partnership program would play an important role in the evolutionary process of the expansion of NATO.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501E2DD103AF932A25755C0A962958260 Denied full membership Russia reluctantly agreed to a kind of junior partner status whereby she got to take part in joint exercises etc...

Unsurprisingly given that all other former Eastern bloc countries are being enrolled in NATO as fast as can be accommodated Russia now feels that despite claims to the contrary NATO is aimed at them and one does wonder what exactly is NATO's role supposed to be these days if not to threaten Russia??

 

[Borek]

The plan outlines a framework for joint training exercises and exchanges of information about military doctrine, weaponry and standards. It envisions giving all Warsaw Pact countries the same status, without the usual defense commitment that accompanies full membership. The NATO Tightrope Poland, Hungary and other countries had hoped to become full members, but Moscow made clear that full membership would be seen as a threat to its security.

So it was a Russian attempt to use Eastern Europe countries for its own purposes. We were sold by Roosevelt and Churchill to Stalin during IIWW, Russians hoped to repeat the trick for the second time. Luckily it didn't work this time.

 

[Minich]

The Russians had peacekeepers in South Ossetia (Georgia claimed that the "peacekeepers" were in fact supporting the seperatists). As far as I know, when Georgia went into South Ossetia some of them were killed.

Georgia don't went into South Ossetia immidiately. In 15.00 Aug 7 Georgian peacekeeping officers left all peace keeping forces posts. At night Saakashvili said by TV that he likes ossetin people. About 23.00 artillery and rocket bombing began of all ossetin villages and TSkhinvali.

It were not point-like weapons, but area weapons. For example jew city area in Tskhinvaly, the eldest in town, was destroyed completely (why do you think Israel is reconsidering military help to Saakashvili?).

Fire at pearcekeeping posts (as i said Georgian officers left them in advance) began several hours later, when post were completely circled. About 12 russian solgers were killed. They began fighting for more than 36 hours ( so was the time to make the decision by our President 15.00 of 8 Aug) and to go the mountain road more than 200km by our tanks from Russia to Tshinvaly through Georgian villages on the territory of South Ossetia.

For refugees it was awfull road, (alternative road controlled by ossetin people to russia is much more long and hard for women and children, another roads are absent), because of fire. Georgian troops fired buses and cars with refugees on those roads. They even wounded the cheif commander of our ARMY on this main road heading tank group.

It costs russia 70 solgiers deaths. And about 2000 casualties of civillians.

There were facts when georgian tank knock down old woman with 2 her grand childs, when georgian bolted womens and children in church and fired the church.

It was action to free the territory from people by any cost.
Our PKF troops didn't fleed, as Keyfor in Srebrenitsa and didn't leave the ordinary people to be murdered.
Why, do you think our tanks were met by ossetin people with roses and in tears?

Furthemore, Russia had given Russian passports to some of the South Ossetians. I have absolutely no idea whether this was legal under international law, but anyway, again this means that Russian citizens were killed. Russian president Medvedev was referring to this on TV.

About 50% of people living in South Ossetia are russian citizens. Russian law is to give citizenship to all citizens of former USSR who want it. Why not? We all lived in one country. Who is guilty, that he went for example to Estonia for a job, or married georgian girl?

After the Greate Criminal Revolution of Eltsin-Gorbatchov the first Georgian President Gamsahurdia claimed:
Georgia for the Georgians (meaning equivalent=for georgian of georgian nationality).
He annuled autonomy of Ossetia and Abhasia and began wars against them. Thousands were killed, hundreds thousand became refugees.

 

[WmLambert]

About 50% of people living in South Ossetia are russian citizens. Russian law is to give citizenship to all citizens of former USSR who want it. Why not? We all lived in one country. Who is guilty, that he went for example to Estonia for a job, or married georgian girl?

Doesn't matter if Russia gives paper to any who will take it, and then call them Russian citizens. Earlier, Russia did keep North Ossetia as a client state, but brushed off South Ossetia as a province, so that when it broke away from the old USSR, it became independent. The Separatists didn't like this, being pro-Russian, and agitated for Russia not to cut them off. This group was a small part of the South Ossetian populace.

As a part of Georgia, South Ossetia had all Georgian citizens. If Canada, or Portugal gave people in South Ossetian papers, would that make them citizens of Canada and Portugal?

 

[lisab]

In times of cold war and military confrontation the nation doesn't need a black liberal with a strange-sounding name as a president.

Wow, that comment is very revealing...of you.

 

[Minich]

Doesn't matter if Russia gives paper to any who will take it, and then call them Russian citizens. Earlier, Russia did keep North Ossetia as a client state, but brushed off South Ossetia as a province, so that when it broke away from the old USSR, it became independent. The Separatists didn't like this, being pro-Russian, and agitated for Russia not to cut them off. This group was a small part of the South Ossetian populace.

As a part of Georgia, South Ossetia had all Georgian citizens. If Canada, or Portugal gave people in South Ossetian papers, would that make them citizens of Canada and Portugal?

I try to explain some law facts.
1. According to the Constitution of my country (former USSA), any republic of USSR (Russia federation and Georgia for example) can withdraw and get independence from the USSR by referendum. But there was a condition, that if republuc has autonomous regions (Georgia had Abhasia, Adjaria and South Ossetia), then autonomous regions independently decide: to stay in USSR, get independence of or stay within Georgia.

Abhasia and South Ossetia decided to stay with Russian Federation (on referendum). And it is their right.

Georgia didn't accept that and had two wars with Abhasia and South Ossetia, canceled the autonomies. Wars were severed and were accompanied with ethnic cleansizing.

Wars were stopped in 1992-1993 and there were international treaty about peace keeping forces of Georgian, Ossetian, Abhasian and Russin troops to maintain peace.

Do You consider Eltsin as separatist? Then let us begin rebuild new USSR... Take Kiev by force and Tbilisi. Other former republics themselves ask for union.2. When Eltsin and two other criminals decided to crash Gorbachov and USSR, and came to power in fragments of the USSR (Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia) , nevertheless there was a special point in their criminal treaty about citizenship, that every citizen of the former USSR can obtain the citizenship of every fragment of the former USSR, even if he lives in another fragment. That criminal treaty was later adopted by all fragments (including Georgia).

3. Please distingvish! Russia gives citizensip! What is it paper? If Canada gives paper (citizen's passport) do You mean Canada gives it for toilet purposes?

They are our full citizens. For example old people receive pensions from Russia and they have all rights of russian citizen.

4. It is a greate pity that micro Fuerer with garvard accent Saakashvili sent young boys - cannon fodder (reservists) to fight against peaceful people, and they were killed in clashes with our army. There were killed 70 russian soldiers and i think that there were killed georgian soldiers much more than 1000.
I saw on TV a huge truck full of trophy Kalashnikov near Gori (the homeland of Stalin).

 

[meopemuk]

Wow, that comment is very revealing...of you.

Sorry, you missed my sarcazm. These are not my words. These are the ideas, which somebody in Washington DC is (hypothetically) trying to insert in people's minds by escalating peacekeeping operations in the Caucasus to the level of next world war. I guess this somebody has calculated that higher international tensions give advantage to McCain over Obama. I will vote for Obama in November. I hope I made myself clear now.

 

[lisab]

Sorry, you missed my sarcazm. These are not my words. These are the ideas, which somebody in Washington DC is (hypothetically) trying to insert in people's minds by escalating peacekeeping operations in the Caucasus to the level of next world war. I guess this somebody has calculated that higher international tensions give advantage to McCain over Obama. I will vote for Obama in November. I hope I made myself clear now.

OK, yes I missed it. My apologies. I know how it is...I can be quite sardonic myself, it's hard to get that across on a computer screen.

As far as the conspiriacy hypothesis...well, I'm not prone to conspiracies myself, but don't you think if it was intended to help McCain, it would have happened a lot closer to the Dem's convention? It was about a month before, and McCain didn't jump to take advantage of it, IMO. At least, he didn't do it effectively.

 

[meopemuk]

OK, yes I missed it. My apologies. I know how it is...I can be quite sardonic myself, it's hard to get that across on a computer screen.

As far as the conspiriacy hypothesis...well, I'm not prone to conspiracies myself, but don't you think if it was intended to help McCain, it would have happened a lot closer to the Dem's convention? It was about a month before, and McCain didn't jump to take advantage of it, IMO. At least, he didn't do it effectively.

This issue seems to be a definite plus for McCain. I remember that McCain delivered a big speech about that just a few hours after Russians took Tshinvali. It seemed that the speech was well-prepared as if it was written beforehand. But these are just speculations within the framework of the conspiracy theory.

It would be interesting to see how much emphasis on the US-Russia relations will be at the Republican Convention next week. Democrats didn't talk much about that. If the conspiracy theory is correct then McCain will make it THE major issue of his foreign policy agenda and he will kick Obama for not understanding what is going on.

 

[lisab]

This issue seems to be a definite plus for McCain. I remember that McCain delivered a big speech about that just a few hours after Russians took Tshinvali. It seemed that the speech was well-prepared as if it was written beforehand. But these are just speculations within the framework of the conspiracy theory.

It would be interesting to see how much emphasis on the US-Russia relations will be at the Republican Convention next week. Democrats didn't talk much about that. If the conspiracy theory is correct then McCain will make it THE major issue of his foreign policy agenda and he will kick Obama for not understanding what is going on.

That tactic could backfire, seeing as he just appointed Palin. On the Russian aggression issue, she doesn't compare well to Biden...whew, not even close (living in the only state to border Russia does not make her qualified !). I agree that this issue could have been a big plus for McCain, but I think he took the air out of that advantage by choosing her.

 

[meopemuk]

but don't you think if it was intended to help McCain, it would have happened a lot closer to the Dem's convention?

Perhaps they miscalculated how swift the response of Russians will be.

 

[meopemuk]

That tactic could backfire, seeing as he just appointed Palin. On the Russian aggression issue, she doesn't compare well to Biden...whew, not even close (living in the only state to border Russia does not make her qualified !). I agree that this issue could have been a big plus for McCain, but I think he took the air out of that advantage by choosing her.

Yes, that's a fair point. 1:0 against the conspiracy theory.

 

[Art]

So it was a Russian attempt to use Eastern Europe countries for its own purposes. We were sold by Roosevelt and Churchill to Stalin during IIWW, Russians hoped to repeat the trick for the second time. Luckily it didn't work this time.

Not sure how you construe that? Russia had allowed the peaceful secession of it's former client states and it's request that in return these states did not aid and abet the USA and it's allies in threatening it's borders seems quite a reasonable position.

Your response though epitomises the problem Russia had following the break up of the USSR. Although the cold war was officially over some folk just couldn't then, and many still can't, let go of the old stereotyping. As I said earlier it was an opportunity lost, where Russia could have and should have been fully integrated into the 'Western' world, and now it seems certain Western nations are hell bent on starting a new cold war, with countries like the UK supplying the bellicose rhetoric and the USA supplying the muscle.

 

[Borek]

Not sure how you construe that? Russia had allowed the peaceful secession of it's former client states and it's request that in return these states did not aid and abet the USA and it's allies in threatening it's borders seems quite a reasonable position.

Sorry, but you seem to be missing the scale. It is Russia that was dealing the cards in this part of the Europe and they didn't want to loose this position. Not allowing us to enter NATO will mean that we will be still subdued this way or another. Our only chance to get some real independence was to join NATO and EU, and that's what Russia didn't want us to do, not because they felt we will be dangerous for them, but because they didn't want us to break free. Nobody likes to loose its position.

As I said earlier it was an opportunity lost, where Russia could have and should have been fully integrated into the 'Western' world,

I don't think it was a real opportunity, Russia would easily find its own way of dealing with its own 'westernity'. Integration means something for something, kind of trade and compromise, and that's not a thing they are used to. Compromise means that everything will be done their way.

 

[WmLambert]

Unless I'm mistaken, the papers given to the people of South Ossetia were not given to all - only to those who would take them - and even though the papers superficially established Russian citizenship, no South Ossetians were allowed into Russia without another set of papers that de facto gave them that privilege.

Perhaps I'm wrong - because the people who know have been repressed by Russia and not allowed to speak for themselves, so there is no substantial body of first-person reports to explain what has been going on. Georgia has encouraged the people to speak out, and it was the Russian cyber attack that shut down these contacts so Occam's razor lends me to accept the Georgian side. Also, the U.S. reports have stated they were upset for Georgia being too strong in their response to Russian-inspired Separatist provocation and that both sides share responsibility for what happened.

 

[Oberst Villa]

Sorry, but you seem to be missing the scale. It is Russia that was dealing the cards in this part of the Europe and they didn't want to loose this position. Not allowing us to enter NATO will mean that we will be still subdued this way or another. Our only chance to get some real independence was to join NATO and EU, and that's what Russia didn't want us to do, not because they felt we will be dangerous for them, but because they didn't want us to break free. Nobody likes to loose its position.

Russia might not feel threatened by Poland alone, but if you look at all Russias neighbours who have joined NATO (or plan to join it) together, then I would be suprised if Russia would not feel a bit uneasy.

I think I can understand your position, my cousins wife is from Hungary and she doesn't like Russia very much. And I guess this is true for most people who "enjoyed" Soviet occupation during the cold war. But one also has to look at the Russian side and at their history, Russia too has been victim of agression.

 

[Art]

I see the emergency meeting of the 27 countries of the EU was a damp squid. It seems EU countries are split down the same lines as they were over Iraq so instead of the ostracism and sanctions Britain was demanding all they agreed upon was to suspend talks on a new partnership agreement with Moscow until Russian troops have withdrawn from Georgia.

Not long ago the Labour party in Britain had a difficult time passing a vote in parliament to upgrade their Trident nuclear missile system and with 100 of their own party rebelling needed Conservative votes to pass the legislation. With more votes on funding in the offing one wonders if Gordon Brown is trying to stoke up East/West tensions to justify the £30 billion expenditure.

 

[meopemuk]

It is remarkable that Western leaders are not willing to apportion any blame to Georgia. The harshest word characterizing Saakhashvili actions was "mistake". Otherwise, they lend unconditional support and solidarity to Georgia.

They often criticize Russia for its unwillingness to accept "Western values". If one of these "values" is the permission to use lethal weapons against civilian population in disregard for hundreds of lost lives, then probably Russia is right in its hesitation to join their club.

 

[Art]

Medvedev has laid out the future of Russian foreign policy under 5 principles which appear to draw a line under what they will and will not tolerate.

New Russian world order: the five principles

1. International law

"Russia recognises the primacy of the basic principles of international law, which define relations between civilised nations. It is in the framework of these principles, of this concept of international law, that we will develop our relations with other states."

2. Multi-polar world

"The world should be multi-polar. Unipolarity is unacceptable, domination is impermissible. We cannot accept a world order in which all decisions are taken by one country, even such a serious and authoritative country as the United States of America. This kind of world is unstable and fraught with conflict."

3. No isolation

"Russia does not want confrontation with any country; Russia has no intention of isolating itself. We will develop, as far as possible, friendly relations both with Europe and with the United State of America, as well as with other countries of the world."

4. Protect citizens

"Our unquestionable priority is to protect the life and dignity of our citizens, wherever they are. We will also proceed from this in pursuing our foreign policy. We will also protect the interest of our business community abroad. And it should be clear to everyone that if someone makes aggressive forays, he will get a response."

5. Spheres of influence

"Russia, just like other countries in the world, has regions where it has its privileged interests. In these regions, there are countries with which we have traditionally had friendly cordial relations, historically special relations. We will work very attentively in these regions and develop these friendly relations with these states, with our close neighbours."

Asked if these "priority regions" were those that bordered on Russia he replied: "Certainly the regions bordering [on Russia], but not only them."

And he stated: "As regards the future, it depends not just on us. It also depends on our friends, our partners in the international community. They have a choice."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7591610.stm

 

[WmLambert]

It is remarkable that Western leaders are not willing to apportion any blame to Georgia. The harshest word characterizing Saakhashvili actions was "mistake". Otherwise, they lend unconditional support and solidarity to Georgia.

They often criticize Russia for its unwillingness to accept "Western values". If one of these "values" is the permission to use lethal weapons against civilian population in disregard for hundreds of lost lives, then probably Russia is right in its hesitation to join their club.

What is remarkable to me is diametrically opposed to your conclusions: that since the whole world (except for Russia, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Transnistria) recognized South Ossetia as sovereign territory of Georgia, Russia's stance is entirely a unilateral one. It's claim that Georgia shot first is moot. The Georgians and first-hand observers have said the Separatists were attacking the Georgian enclaves, and it was a reaction to that which pulled the Georgians into it.

The charge that is the West that allows shooting at civilians is entirley specious. It was the Russians who bombed military targets and hit civilian areas. It was the Russians who claimed the Georgian artillery fired on civilian areas, while others have said they only fired on areas where the separatists had entrenched. When any Georgians targeted a civilian area - it was only under the understanding that the civilians had been evacuated, and separatists were holed up there. There are two sides coming out of the conflict there, but you seem only to support what may be Russian propaganda.

Both sides, I'm sure are spinning as fast as possible, but your clinging only to the official Russian spin seems suspicious.

I've been trying to get objective data, but it is hard to come by. The latest is the satellite imagery of UNOSCOM that documented fires set in Georgian civilian territory by Russian (or Cheznyan) Peacekeepers. You said that was to be expected as revenge for what the Georgians did. You cannot have it both ways. You should not castigate Georgians for alleged shelling of disputed civilian areas unless you are also willing to understand soldiers are never allowed to rape, loot, pillage, and burn - and there is nothing that can rationalize it. If soldiers do so, it is because they are allowed to do so. In the U.S., if any soldiers break the law, they are arrested, investigated, and imprisoned.

 

[Art]

What is remarkable to me is diametrically opposed to your conclusions: that since the whole world (except for Russia, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Transnistria) recognized South Ossetia as sovereign territory of Georgia, Russia's stance is entirely a unilateral one. It's claim that Georgia shot first is moot. The Georgians and first-hand observers have said the Separatists were attacking the Georgian enclaves, and it was a reaction to that which pulled the Georgians into it.

The charge that is the West that allows shooting at civilians is entirley specious. It was the Russians who bombed military targets and hit civilian areas. It was the Russians who claimed the Georgian artillery fired on civilian areas, while others have said they only fired on areas where the separatists had entrenched. When any Georgians targeted a civilian area - it was only under the understanding that the civilians had been evacuated, and separatists were holed up there. There are two sides coming out of the conflict there, but you seem only to support what may be Russian propaganda.

Both sides, I'm sure are spinning as fast as possible, but your clinging only to the official Russian spin seems suspicious.

Please supply a source for this (dis)information.

I've been trying to get objective data, but it is hard to come by. The latest is the satellite imagery of UNOSCOM that documented fires set in Georgian civilian territory by Russian (or Cheznyan) Peacekeepers. You said that was to be expected as revenge for what the Georgians did. You cannot have it both ways. You should not castigate Georgians for alleged shelling of disputed civilian areas unless you are also willing to understand soldiers are never allowed to rape, loot, pillage, and burn - and there is nothing that can rationalize it. If soldiers do so, it is because they are allowed to do so.

I sympathise as I think you will find it impossible to find objective data to back up your viewpoint

Russian soldiers haven't been accused of expelling Georgians from S Ossetia though Osssetian militia groups have. If so the militia members in involved should indeed be arrested and tried along with those Georgians who committed war crimes including their president who ordered them to commit war crimes.

In the U.S., if any soldiers break the law, they are arrested, investigated, and imprisoned.

I take it you intended this statement to be ironic Haditha springs to mind or how about Jose Luis Nazario or Staff Sgt. Michael A. Hensley? Or perhaps you meant specifically, if they break the law whilst stationed in America??

 

[Borek]

If one of these "values" is the permission to use lethal weapons against civilian population in disregard for hundreds of lost lives, then probably Russia is right in its hesitation to join their club.

I am assuming it is a joke attempt.

 

[meopemuk]

What is remarkable to me is diametrically opposed to your conclusions: that since the whole world (except for Russia, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Transnistria) recognized South Ossetia as sovereign territory of Georgia, Russia's stance is entirely a unilateral one. It's claim that Georgia shot first is moot. The Georgians and first-hand observers have said the Separatists were attacking the Georgian enclaves, and it was a reaction to that which pulled the Georgians into it.

The charge that is the West that allows shooting at civilians is entirley specious. It was the Russians who bombed military targets and hit civilian areas. It was the Russians who claimed the Georgian artillery fired on civilian areas, while others have said they only fired on areas where the separatists had entrenched. When any Georgians targeted a civilian area - it was only under the understanding that the civilians had been evacuated, and separatists were holed up there. There are two sides coming out of the conflict there, but you seem only to support what may be Russian propaganda.

Both sides, I'm sure are spinning as fast as possible, but your clinging only to the official Russian spin seems suspicious.

I've been trying to get objective data, but it is hard to come by. The latest is the satellite imagery of UNOSCOM that documented fires set in Georgian civilian territory by Russian (or Cheznyan) Peacekeepers. You said that was to be expected as revenge for what the Georgians did. You cannot have it both ways. You should not castigate Georgians for alleged shelling of disputed civilian areas unless you are also willing to understand soldiers are never allowed to rape, loot, pillage, and burn - and there is nothing that can rationalize it. If soldiers do so, it is because they are allowed to do so. In the U.S., if any soldiers break the law, they are arrested, investigated, and imprisoned.

Hi WmLambert,

I am a bit tired to respond to your "facts" point-by-point again. My general position is this: in any war there are no "good" and "bad" sides. There are only "bad" and "even worse" sides. Usually both sides commit atrocities against civilians. Even the allies in the WWII were not angels. Recall the bombardments of Dresden and Hiroshima as the most obvious examples. However, it would be not correct to restrict our knowledge of WWII only by these two examples. It is also important to know "who started this". I think it is well established now that "Grad" rockets that destroyed Tshinvali were fired from Georgian territory, and that Georgian tanks first entered the city. If you still are not sure who did the killings in Tshinvali and who came to the rescue of its residents take a look at testimonies of Ossetian refugees and survivors. There are plenty of them on the Web.

 

[meopemuk]

Russian soldiers haven't been accused of expelling Georgians from S Ossetia though Osssetian militia groups have. If so the militia members in involved should indeed be arrested and tried along with those Georgians who committed war crimes including their president who ordered them to commit war crimes.

I've seen a report (on a Russian news site) that 60 militiamen were arrested by Russian/Ossetian authorities in connection with looting of Georgian villages. I'm sorry, I can't find this site anymore, but if you are interested I can do more thorough search and find/translate the story.

EDIT: http://www.retwa.org/home.cfm?articleId=6478

 

[meopemuk]

I am assuming it is a joke attempt.

I want to believe that USA/EU/NATO leaders are joking when they put 100% of blame on Russia and try to present Saakashvili's actions as innocent "mistake".

 

[WmLambert]

Please supply a source for this (dis)information.

As I stated, the Russian translations are a bear. But sources do abound: Please see this site The Russian-speaker who provided this posted: "According to Georgians, the thugs "from the city block" who had been prepared and controlled by the KGB, began shelling the villages belonging to non-separatist Ossetins and Georgians and the Georgian Government had to do something about it."

Now normally, I would give more credence to that which is printed in the media, but in this case, the Russian media, and the sychophants who regurgitate it as gospel do not have a reputation for getting it right. As a matter of fact, when the Russian media goes against the grain, we have illustrations of Russian censorship, like the forced suicide of Ivan Safronov.

Seeing that it was the 58th that entered South Ossetia within 3-1/2 hours of the initial Georgian entry into it, and the 58th is a Moscow-based elite group that had been covertly pre-staged to the Roki tunnel (Russia had to construct new railroad spurs to do so) there is little doubt that the Russians timed the event. It is hard for Georgia to start something that the other side has taken several months to pre-position.

If anything, applying Occam's razor seems to place the instigation of this at the feet of the Russians. Additionally, the cyber attacks from Russia that shut down first-person internet capabilities coincided with the start of the attack. Would you care to explain the inconsistencies?

Like I said, there are two sides out there, and my Russian is too limited to do more than run this stuff through automatic translatiors, and ask for help tweaking the stuff that comes out.

Russian soldiers haven't been accused of expelling Georgians from S Ossetia though Osssetian militia groups have.

But the South Ossetian Separatists are the ones accused of doing so, as pawns of Russia. Before the Russians appeared on scene, The Georgians had secured the capitol. A fait d'accompli. ( Israeli military advisers on scene made that statement.) It is interesting to say the losing side forced the Georgians out of South Ossetia only after the Russians appeared, and to claim the Russians had nothing to do with it

BTW: your laughter by intimidation fallacious debate point about American soldiers getting off free with violating the military code of conduct actually makes my point. You should, just like John Murtha in This video clip apologize for blaming innocent soldiers of war crimes. The point made, is that even though they were innocent, the U.S. put them in custody. The honor of the U.S. military is too precious to allow criminals to get away with such acts - so they were treated as guilty, even though they weren't.

 

[meopemuk]

As I stated, the Russian translations are a bear. But sources do abound: Please see this site The Russian-speaker who provided this posted: "According to Georgians, the thugs "from the city block" who had been prepared and controlled by the KGB, began shelling the villages belonging to non-separatist Ossetins and Georgians and the Georgian Government had to do something about it."

What?? Who is your "Russian-speaker" source? There is nothing even remotely
resembling this statement in the article. Please stop spreading lies.
For your convenience, here is my translation:

UTRO.RU, August, 22. Yury Kotenok.

"Sulim Yamadaev: Georgians ran from us in their underpants"

Today, August 22 our source in the headquarters of the operative army group in the North Caucasus
reported that the commander of "Vostok" lieutenant colonel Sulim Yamadaev was retired to reserve
while keeping his military rank.
The corresponding order was signed yesterday by the Russian Minister of Defense
Anatoly Serdyukov. No motivation for the decision has been given yet.

It is necessary to remind that the batalion of Chechen commandos "Vostok"
played an important role during the operation of forcing Georgia to peace
by pushing the aggressor out of Tshinvali, marching toward Gori and cutting Georgia's
military communications. The Hero of Russia Sulim Yamadaev told us about the brief war
in South Ossetia in his exclusive interview for "Utro".

"UTRO": How did the operation started for your batallion?

Sulim Yamadaev: "Vostok" followed the order of the commander of the North Causasus
military district and the Head of the Joint Staff of Russian Federation. We are
carrying out the order without regard to danger and possible casualties. We don't have time
to contemplate. After receiving the order to move in South Ossetia, we prepared
ourselves in one hour and were dropped in Khankala. In the evening of August 8th we were
in Dzhava. In the morning of 9th we were in Tshinvali. The circumstances in the city were grave.
But we had a good grasp of situation, because for the last 1.5 years our soldiers,
rotating every three months,
were in the conflict zone as peacekeepers on "Pauk"[?] and the bridge across Eredvi.
During the fighting we hold these positions without
casualties being surrounded by Georgians. We didn't have food and water for three days,
but these are minor details.

"UTRO": What was going on in Tshinvali when you entered the city?

S.Y.: There was a confusion. Shooting. We entered the city, reported to the commander,
received the order and carried it out - cleared the city from enemy's snipers and
separate groups, liberated women, children and elderly. Not a single hostage was wounded.
Liquidated Georgian commandos. We also recaptured military vehicles that Georgians took from
our peacekeepers. Then we worked together with the 58th army in Georgian villages and
almost reached Gori, though we could go further without problems. Major Georgian forces
were concentrated around Tshinvali where they entered from three sides. There were no Georgian
trenches on Georgian territory. They were only prepared to go forward, so they didn't
anticipate that we'll enter Georgian land. It was much easier there.

"UTRO": Is it true that Georgian forces scattered after hearing that such a force is coming?

S.Y.: The rumors were spreading in front of us that 1500 Chechen throat-cutters are coming.
There were Ossetians and Georgians (translators) among us, who showed themselves normally.
The panic erupted among the enemies.They were not prepared for casualties, didn't think about them,
they were scared and went out of balance. In Tbilisi they thought that America is behind them, that
they'll stop us at the border with Russia. We caught them off guard. We entered inside
[South Ossetia] and simultaneously started to move in the Kodori gorge in Abkhazia. Deep inside
their territory Georgian soldiers ran from us in their underpants. We took good trophys and
passed everything to our commanders.

"UTRO" Is the stand-off with Georgia complete at this point?

S.Y.: It should be clear to anyone that this is not the end. If our commanders do well,
then there will be enough work to do. We are getting information that Georgians increase
their military efforts, move in mercenaries. America is training them again. Tbilisi hasn't
calmed down yet. If this will continue we'll have a war with America not in 2014, as some
predictors say, but earlier.

"UTRO": In Tshinvali you said that it would be interesting to combat against Georgians,
who were prepared by Americans. You didn't get a real war, did you?

S.Y.: We didn't get as we wanted it. But we are not disappointed. There will be a good fight
anyway. I think that in South Ossetia USA is just probing Russian forces, their preparedness
for the war. So, we need to work more, correct out deficiencies. There was a confusion,
many problems. This time Almighty helped us, but next time we should act better.

"UTRO": What was the reason for casualties in the Russian army in this campaign?

S.Y.: Any commander acting in the circumstances must achieve his objective with minimal
casualties, to carry out the order. In this war most of our casualties were on marches in
columns. Thus, for example, the commander of the 58th army was wounded, the journalists.
We need to to think and to draw conclusions. The wounded should be quickly evacuated.


"UTRO": In Tbilisi they scare themselves by the rumors that Chechens cut off heads
of hundreds of Georgians.

S.Y. You were the witness, you spent three days with us. If we decided to revenge,
everything would be different. We haven't had casualties except three wounded, and we
haven't yet revenged for the murders of civilians and peacekeepers.

"UTRO": In Zemo-Nikozi and Kvemo-Hviti "Vostok" was under heavy shelling by Georgian artillery.
How did you avoid casualties?

S.Y.: It appeared that in the village "Vostok" attracted fire and thus revealed the
artillery positions. We know how to hide when needed. We were saved by good cellars (laughs).
But this was during the fight.
It was worse when the troops took casualties during their approach to Tshinvali. This was
not just good luck of "Vostok". I had one group in front of me and one group behind.
Every soldier was responsible for his sector and acted professionally, according to
circumstances. If everybody rushed forward, it would be a mess.


"UTRO": Is somebody proposed for awards in the batallion?

S.Y.: Of course. Our guys showed themselves well. Some of them will be awarded with the
order of Courage and the medal "for Bravery". The awardee lists are compiled and we'll
pass them by the chain of command. I personally thanked the soldiers for good work.


"UTRO": Is it true that "Vostok" and "Zapad" batallions will be disbanned?

S.Y.: A "third force" is working on this. But anyway, all decisions are taken
by the Commander in Chief, the Minister of Defense. They must give a sober assessment,
weigh all pro and cons. From myself I can say that for many years already, true Russia
patriotes are fighting in the batallion "Vostok". If you leave aside these people, the
state will lose professional commandos who can carry out any task at any point in the world.

"UTRO": There is information that simultaneously with the Georgian attack,
vahhabis actions in the North Caucasus were expected. Did they manage to open "second front"?

S.Y.: We reported that at the time of Georgian move, conflicts may erupt in Chechnya,
Dagestan, Kabarda and Ingushetia. But they couldn't do that, because Russia was not stuck
in fighting in South Ossetia. Our troops carried out the task quickly. Again Almighty helped us.
But we are ready for any escalation. For us it doesn't matter where to fight: on
this side of the mountain range or on the other side. It is important not to bare
our borders, so as not to get a strike in the back.

"UTRO": Is the movement of youth to the mountains continuing in Checnya?

S.Y.: There is information that 20 young girls 15-20 years old went to the woods
[joined the rebels?] in Chechnya. This is our tragedy. We know who goes to the mountains.
In Dzhamaats[?] which fight in Chechnya, there are people from Saudi Arabia. We know who
feeds them. Their forces were diminishing before, but this year they got more people.
The number of clashes increased, there are casualties. Dzhamaats become more active
in Dagestan and Ingushetia. If we don't work well in the North Caucasus now, then
South Ossetia can repeat itself in other places, or there will be the 3rd Chechen campaign for sure.
The fights with our own and pushing out dissidents results in vahhabis raise their head.
Caucasus is a vulnerable spot of Russia. There are lot of those who want to explode
this place to weaken Russia.

"UTRO": Thank you for the interview.

 

[WmLambert]

Thank you for the translation, the Russian ex-pat who provided the link was making a point with it, and I it was just before his quote I provided. I'll have to ask him for more sourcing.

To me, it seems the article translated into an action-report of the Russian campaign, which coincided with what I understand to be correct. (Except for the Russian forces performing at a high-level.) There was also that paranoia about U.S. forces coming into play.

The report of the initial confrontation at Tshinvali is also illustrative. According to the Georgian forces and third party observers, it had been successfully settled by the Georgian peacekeepers. It was only the entrance of the Russians that caused the Separatists to emerge from hiding and start fighting again. Not difficult for the Russian General to say, "...There was a confusion. Shooting. We entered the city, reported to the commander, received the order and carried it out - cleared the city from enemy's snipers and separate groups, liberated women, children and elderly. Not a single hostage was wounded. Liquidated Georgian commandos. We also recaptured military vehicles that Georgians took from our peacekeepers."

I note that "not a single hostage was wounded," which translates that the Georgians did not put any in jeopardy as they captured Tchinvali. I also note the "recaptured military vehicles that Georgians took from our peacekeepers,:" which were shown to be U.S. Humvees taken from containers ready to be shipped back to the U.S. and not part of any action. As different posts continue to roll in, there are two separate scenarios unfolding: one firmly held by Russians to be true, which have huge holes in their believability - and the Georgian scenario, which frankly is the only one that makes sense.

Also this translation again confirms, it was the Moscow 58th that came through Roki.

The most vital aspect that you continually gloss over, is the fact that Russia's depiction of South Ossetia being an independent state was not recognized by the rest of the world, and they had no legitimate right to try to make it so. Their 500 peacekeepers in South Ossetia looked the other way as Separatists committed ethnic cleansing on Georgian enclaves, and may have actually back-stopped the Separatists which caused the Georgian reaction. The peacekeepers were there to keep the peace, not to make South Ossetia an independent state.

 

[WmLambert]

The cyber attack was launched before supposed assault by Georgia. It is no wonder communication within Georgia was so difficult, and the Russians claimed it was the Georgians who would not return their attempts to communicate.

The KGB-style disinformation as de facto Putin policy seems illustrated once again here.

The "big lie" strategy requires enough circumstantial events to cloak it in doubt, so that the continued promulgation of it begins to stick. No one questions that the Georgians moved into South Ossetia before the Russians opened up. The question is: if the Separatists staged the atrocities that emptied the Georgian enclaves and brought the Georgian peacekeepers in. The few civilian casualties reinforce the clearing of the enclaves, even though the initial Russian reports claimed "thousands of civilian dead at the hands of Georgian monsters."

 

[meopemuk]

I also note the "recaptured military vehicles that Georgians took from our peacekeepers,:" which were shown to be U.S. Humvees taken from containers ready to be shipped back to the U.S. and not part of any action.

You seem to be completely disoriented. The incident with U.S. Humvees happened in the port of Poti, which is more than 100 miles away from Tshinvali. Moreover, this incident occurred several days after the events described in the piece.

 

[quadraphonics]

It is not necessarily about whoever spends the most wins.

Well, in this case, it's more like "whoever can't spend enough can't even play in the first place."

Just as a handful of fanatics can cause America to spend trillions of dollars counteracting whatever they may do then I imagine for a relatively small sum Russia could cause America and her allies to spend a hugely disproportionate sum in counter-measures.

That asymmetric argument doesn't apply to conflicts between established nation-states. What's to stop NATO from spending a relatively small sum that requires Russia to spend a disproportionate amount on countermeasures?

It's a pity that after the end of the cold war Russia's request to join NATO was rejected and IMO also a pity that Russia wasn't invited to join the EU as that would have guaranteed peace on the European continent for generations.

As long as we're dealing in fantasies, it's also a pity that everyone didn't join hands in peace and brotherly love 1000 generations ago, thereby creating perfect world peace.

 

[Oberst Villa]

As long as we're dealing in fantasies, it's also a pity that everyone didn't join hands in peace and brotherly love 1000 generations ago, thereby creating perfect world peace.

There are different levels of fantasies.

For example, there are very fundamental differences between the west and significant parts of the muslim world, in this case perfect peace is really a fantasy in my book.

However, I do not see any such differences in the way people in Russia on the one side and people in western Europe and the US on the other side think. Why should there be no peace ? Less than 100 years ago people have been talking BS about an Erbfeindschaft (traditional enmity) between France and Germany, in WW I millions of our people died fighting each other. Nowadays we are best friends !

 

[meopemuk]

Here is another testimony from a firsthand eyewitness published in "Nezavisimaya gazeta".
This guy is a Russian official, so you can dismiss his words as a Kremlin propaganda, but something
tells me that his description of events is authentic.

http://www.ng.ru/courier/2008-09-01/13_razlom.html

"On the Caucasian faultline"
Yuri Popov: "We never set the goal to conquer Georgia"

2008-09-01/ Marina Perevozkina

Events in the Caucasus is one of major themes discussed today by politicians, journalists and
other citizens, and not only in our country. Therefore, the opinion of an eyewitness of the events is especially
interesting. One such eyewitness is the special task envoy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Yuri Popov, who answered questions posed by "NG".

-- Yuri Fedorovich, on the August 7th, just on the eve of tragic events in South Ossetia, you went to Tbilisi and
Tshinval for negotiations. Apparently, they were successful, because after your visit a moratorium on military
actions was declared, and negotiations were scheduled to take place the next day with you as an intermediary between
the state minister of Georgia on reintegration Temuri Jacobashvili and the vice-premier of South Ossetia Boris Chochiev.
How did the events develop on that, without doubt, historic day?

Y.P.: On the August 7th at 2:00 pm I went from Tbilisi to Tshinval to discuss with South Ossetian partners the
agenda of the meeting that has been planned for the Friday [August 8th]. I drove in the car of Russian Embassy.
On the way I got a flat tire, and the spare tire was not good either, and I was waiting for another car for two
hours. During my wait (it was 10 kilometers from Gori) I watched with great interest as Georgian armored vehicles
and transports with soldiers passed me in the direction of Tshinval. I reached my destination point after 6 p.m.

-- Some say that Jacobashvili also came to Tshinval on that day?

Y.P.: He went there on his own program separate from me. Before that we had a contact in Tbilisi, discussed the forthcoming
three-side meeting. Then, after arranging all issues with the Georgian side I went to discuss them with
South Ossetian leadership, because earlier they expressed their doubts about the usefulness of such a meeting.


-- What was the reason for you arrival in Georgia, which was, as I understand, unexpected - you flew at night?

Y.P.: I arrived in Tbilisi early in the morning of August 7th. The Russian side was very worried about increased
tensions in the conflict zone. It was necessary to break this trend immediately. For this reason, though we
remained principal backers of the continuation of negotiations in the framework of SKK [joint Georgia-Russia-South Ossetia
commission for peace], the decision was taken to assist an urgent meeting between Georgians and South Ossetians.
We started to prepare the agenda at the end of July, however a massive mortar-artillery shelling of residential
blocks in Tshinval on August 1st has hardened the negotiating position of the South Ossetian side.

-- When did you leave Tshinval?

Y.P.: I left the city after 10 p.m. after reaching the final agreement with both Georgian and South Ossetian partners about
three-party Georgian-Ossetian-Russian meeting planned for the next day in Tshinval. The talks were supposed to start
at 1 p.m. on August 8th in the headquarters of SSPM[?] with the participation of Boris Chochiev, Temuri Jacobashvili,
the commander of peacekeeping forces general Marat Kulahmetov and myself. By the way if I hadn't have some urgent
tasks for the morning of August 8th in our Embassy [in Tbilisi], I would have remained to spend the night in Tshinval.
Interesting, if that would deter the Georgian attack on the city? I doubt very much, but still I have a bad feeling.

-- But the facts confirm that the operation was well-thought and prepared. The choice of the day was not accidental - the
beginning of Olympic games. Apparently everything was decided long before...

Y.P.: The preparation for the aggression was conducted methodically and long in advance. Though, there is a version that
Saakashvili took this decision impulsively under the influence of something, which scared him very much. I.e., the decision
about the military operation could be induced from outside. At the same time it is obvious that the strike was planned
for the night August 7-8, when the attention of the whole world was focused on the opening of Olympic games. By that time
a striking military group of Georgian army was already pulled to the southern outskirts of Tshinval.

-- Did you have any doubts about the reliability of your partners? Were you sure that negotiations will take place?

Y.P.: There was an absolutely clear agreement about the place, time and the format of the meeting. On the other hand,
the Georgian partners never firmly stuck to their promises. But their unwillingness to negotiate grew into betrayal.
When I drove from Tshinvali late at night I saw opposite movement of Georgian military columns entering the conflict zone.
There were tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launchers, trucks and buses with soldiers. First, I reported this to the commander
of SSPM on the cell phone, then I lost the count. I called Jacobashvili and asked what is the reason to move such hugh forces to Tshinval?
My Georgian colleague calmed me down - this is a defensive measure and the President who promised not to open fire will
never break his word. An half an hour later, when I approached Tbilisi, general Kulahmetov called me and told that
Georgia has declared a war on South Ossetia and Tshinval is being bombarded from land and air.


-- There is an impression that Georgian aggression took Russian leadership off guard, though it was not so difficult to
predict this development of events.

Y.P.: We were caught off guard not by the aggression itself but by the choice of time of the attack. Perhaps this was
pre-calculated in Tbilisi, because, in principle, we expected this line of development. We all saw the military
preparations of Georgia. I can't understand another thing: how could Georgians agree with South Ossetians about the meeting
if they new that the war is going to start in an hour? This is incomprehensible from the ethical point of view.

I don't want to believ that my negotiations partner Mr. Jacobashvili lied to me on purpose. I am inclined to think that
he was not aware about the coming attack on South Ossetia. It is interesting that when in the evening of August 7th I told
Jacobashvili about the reached agreement with Boris Chochiev and the South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity about tomorrow's
meeting in Tshinval, he immediately contacted Saakashvili and informed myself that "President has approved" this idea.
I can admit the possibility that the invasion was planned for the near future, but something forced Saakashvili to speed it up
and to give the order to start in the night of August 7-8. Here again a thought comes to mind about an external influence.

-- Did you see Georgian peacekeepers in the headquarters?

Y.P.: When I arrived to Kulahmetov, the headquarters of Georgian peacekeepers were empty. I was told that they left
SSPM during the day of August 7th.

-- You are saying the leadership of Russia was informed about military preparations by Georgia. Was there any reaction
plan in the event of attack? Why peacekeepers were so slow to respond?

Y.P.: Georgians were preparing for the war. They pulled in striking groups from the South. At the same time Georgian troops
tried to occupy strategic heights in the conflict zone. Set up new checkpoints equipped by all rules of military-engineering
science. South Ossetians, naturally, reacted and this led to the avalanche of military stand-off. Our peacekeepers, due to
their small numbers, could not quell these problems physically. There were only 500 peacekeepers most of whom were on
stationary positions. They did what they could: separated sides which entered in armed contact, stood between them. We reserved
the right to increase the sizes of Russian and South Ossetian batallions to 800 people each in the case if the situation
goes out of control. However, we didn't expect that it would go out of control and end up in such a bloodshed.


-- Just before the war started, a serious military force was concentrated on the Russian territory near the border with Georgia.
Previously, army came close to the border in times of increased tensions, but such an armada with a lot of armament has not
been seen there before.

Y.P.: Georgians also have not pulled so much forces and weapons to Tshinval before. The action creates counteraction. The question
is different - why Saakashvili's friends, first of all in Washington, decided to put in hands of such an impulsive leader
this deadly machinery? The quantity transforms to quality, sooner or later. The shotgun hanging on the wall is destined to shoot.
It is true that our American partners tell us that Saakashvili didn't discuss with them his decision to attack South Ossetia.

-- Many analysts now say that the operation was not finished. Why did our troops stop so abruptly? Why didn'd we force
Saakashvili to sign a capitulation act?

Y.P.: We never set the goal to conquer Georgia, remove Saakashvili, enter Tbilisi, hang the Russian flag there and put our
general-governor. We have conducted a peace-enforcing operation. The peace is restored, the aggressor retreated, the justice
prevailed. Nobody wanted to force proud Gergian people on their knees. Russians and Georgians are not enemies.
Regarding Saakashvili and his political career, I don't have the right to give recipes. I can only tell one thing: if I was
guilty in deaths of thousands of people, I would act according to my conscience.

-- What are further prospects for negotiations?

Y.P.: To renew the negotiations right now is very problematic. It is not clear, with whom? what is the purpose? The peacekeeping
operations will be conducted by enhanced Russian contingent without participation of Georgians. We will also change the
configuration of the peacekeeper's responsibility zone.

 

[quadraphonics]

However, I do not see any such differences in the way people in Russia on the one side and people in western Europe and the US on the other side think. Why should there be no peace ?

The issue is not with "the people" (it almost never is), but with the fact that Russia, as a polity, has yet to give up its imperialist conception of security based on the violent domination of its neighbors.

 

[Borek]

Strong words, but seems to me like they make a good point.

 

[Art]

Well, in this case, it's more like "whoever can't spend enough can't even play in the first place."

I think when you bring 6,700 nuclear warheads to the table you are guaranteed a seat at the game.

That asymmetric argument doesn't apply to conflicts between established nation-states. What's to stop NATO from spending a relatively small sum that requires Russia to spend a disproportionate amount on countermeasures?

as above

As long as we're dealing in fantasies, it's also a pity that everyone didn't join hands in peace and brotherly love 1000 generations ago, thereby creating perfect world peace.

What a sad and rather silly perception. Britain and France fought for hundreds of years but now work together as equal partners and there is absolutely no reason why Russia could not do the same with it's former foes.

The cold war was a battle of ideologies. The Russian held ideology is gone, finished, kaput and so there is no longer any need for any enmity between Russia and the West as the causa bella is gone.

 

[Borek]

What a sad and rather silly perception. Britain and France fought for hundreds of years but now work together as equal partners and there is absolutely no reason why Russia could not do the same with it's former foes.

French and British changed their attitude which made new balance possible. Russia tries to keep to old tricks.

 

[Art]

French and British changed their attitude which made new balance possible. Russia tries to keep to old tricks.

Yes, France and Britain reached an accord in 1904 (The Entente Cordiale) whereby they agreed not to threaten each other or interfere in each other's spheres of influence. Russia was then included in this accord in 1907.

It sounds very like what Russia is looking for now.