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See Global Voices special coverage page on the South Ossetia crisis.

With local and international media outlets reporting that fighting is spilling over into Georgia proper, the latest military confrontation with Russia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia looks increasingly like war. Wu Wei reports from Tbilisi that the Vaziani military base just outside the Georgian capital has been bombed. The signs look very ominous indeed.

Reports say Russians have damaged the runway at the Marneuli airport near Tbilisi.

We are wondering what the Georgian airforce is doing.

Nobody has declared war yet, and the Russians are hedging, but when you put it all together, it looks pretty much like it.

It seems some dignitaries are on their way, like President Adamkas from Lithuania. They better land quick.

The same blog says that Embassies are now preparing for the possibility that their citizens will have to be evacuated. However, it is not yet certain whether such a move will be necessary.

It seems in case of an evacuation it will be through Armenia. Our Greek has been told the same. This seems to be a plan agreed at a meeting of all the embassies earlier in the week.

But nobody is expecting this to be necessary. I'm leaving for Lithuania next Thursday anyway, for a long weekend.

A new meeting of diplomats has been called this afternoon which everybody but the Russians have gone to.

A Fistful of Euros examines the situation from Georgia, but also questions whether Russia will risk war over South Ossetia. It also wonders whether Tbilisi received tacit approval for military operations from the U.S. and Europe.

First, what will Russia’s leadership do? It was willing to have Russian planes violate Georgian airspace last week during the escalation, and reports have it that one bomb each fell near the Georgian cities of Gori and Kartveli. On the other hand, this looks like a gesture — if the Russians wanted to have bombs fall on Gori and Kartveli, they jolly well would have. Escalation by the Russian side is of course possible, but Saakashvili’s government has bet that Russia won’t be all that put out about 70,000 South Ossetians. The ruble and the Russian stock market, however, both had big drops today, apparently on the theory that you never know about escalation.

Second, what will the Americans and EU do? A senior State Department figure was here in Tbilisi last week, and I would expect that the Georgian side at least hinted very broadly about what was up. He would have to deny that, of course, in the way of these things. We can assume that the Americans did not warn them off. The German foreign minister was also here, with a plan for Abkhazia. It’s slightly less likely that he was clued in, but the topic of his visit points to the next item on the reintegration agenda.

The same blog also reports that while Russian jets have bombed targets close to the Georgian capital, there has only been sporadic outages in terms of electricity, Internet access and cell phone communication. Meanwhile, other blogs, such as one from Reuters, examine the possibility that Georgian military action is directly related to Kosovo.

Is Kosovo to blame for the fighting in South Ossetia?

When the Serbian province seceded from Belgrade in February, South Ossetia was quick to reassert its own claim to international recognition.

As a spokeswoman for separatist leader Eduard Kokoity told Reuters at the time: “The Kosovo precedent has driven us to more actively seek our rights.”

Those remarks will not have gone unheard in Tblisi and could well have added some urgency to Georgia’s desire to impose its rule over breakaway South Ossetia.

the will to exist also comes to the same conclusion, but says the situation is not the same.

South Ossetia is another Kosovo in the works. 98-99% of Ossetians want independence if you believe the results of their referendum. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality of the world. Independence for South Ossetia is no more likely than say, Vermont seceding from the United States. Either Georgia or Russia will dominate the territory for the foreseeable future.

Writing on Outside the Beltway, James Joyner again draws parallels with Kosovo and is concerned about the situation, wondering if NATO will have no choice but to intervene.

This is still a holdover from the breakup of the Soviet Union. South Ossetia declared its independence from Georgia in the early 1990s and has de facto sovereignty over large parts of its territory. While neither Georgia nor the international community recognizes the secession as legitimate, Russia has been sympathetic.

Tensions came to a head with Kosovo’s declaration of independence and the push to offer Georgia a membership action plan and eventual inclusion into NATO. Russia immediately began throwing its weight around in both South Ossetia and another breakaway province, Abkhazia. It appears that Russia is now making its play.

Given that NATO all but promised Georgia eventual membership at its Bucharest summit mere months ago, ignoring Russia’s move here is unthinkable.

[…]

This is getting ugly, fast.

140 Responses to
“Georgia: South Ossetia Update”

  1. Armenia & the South Caucasus | The Caucasian Knot » Blog Archive » Georgia: South Ossetia Update:
    1

    [...] The full post is available on Global Voices Online. [...]

  2. Ptriot:
    2

    Whyat a usless place

  3. Josh SN:
    3

    I’ve been watching the English-language 24 hour news station Russia Today.

    Their chiron now, and repeatedly for the last few hours, declades “WAR IS ON”

    Their American-born “reporter” Peter Lavelle, after airing Saakashvili saying targets outside S. Ossetia had been bombed, said he’d never heard such “bald-faced lies” from any national leader ever. He claimed CNN was just a propaganda station. I’ll concede that about CNN is he acknowledges that Russia Today is even more of one!

    Russia Today is publishing any report coming from the South Ossetian leader, including new body counts (1400 most recent).

    I love Russia Today, because if something happens in the Slavic world, that is where I can go to get the “official” other side. It was useful, for example, during the riots in Serbia and Kosovo secession.

  4. Axar:
    4

    USA judgment clouded again due to foreign energy dependence
    Statement:

    please digg: http://digg.com/world_news/USA_judgment_clouded_again_due_to_foreign_energy_dependence

  5. WARNING!!!:
    5

    WARNING!!!
    Популярный канал новостей USA сообщил о нападении Грузии на Осетию лишь спустя несколько часов после этого. При этом построил ленту новостей так, как будто это Российская сторона начала активные военные действия против Грузии. На самом деле в 04.00 ночи 08.08.08 г. Грузия начала обстерл Осетинской территории при помощи артиллерийского комплекса “Град”(этот же канал новостей показал как будто это Россия обстреливает Грузинскую территорию). Также нападению со стороны Грузинских войск подверглись миротворцы как на территории Грузии, так и на территории Осектии. В поддержку своих граждан и военных от нападком Грузин Россия ввела дополнительные военные силы на территорию Осетии. Также нередки сообщения о расстреле грузинскими военными раненых мирных жителях Грузии и представителей миротворцев России. Будтье внимательнее к тому, что говорят по Вашим канал - Вас обманывают. По возможности посмотрите Российские каналы новостей.
    P.S.: На 23.00 08.08.08 г. погибло примерно уже 1500 мирных жителей Осетии.

  6. Russian Citizen:
    6

    South Ossetia situation was planned and implemented by USA, it is loud and clear. Georgia started this act to involve Russian troops in this conflict right at the time of Olympic games, this is clearly act of rot provocation and attempt of USA to make Russia look like aggressor in Chinese eyes. Don’t trust USA, dont’ trust Georgia. Russian troops are there to stop kills of Russian citizens - there are 90% of russian citizens in South Ossetia. So is Russia and aggressor? NO NO NO, Russia wants to stop bloodshed and keep peace.

  7. The Old Soviet Bear Roars | ...gettingpaidtowatch:
    7

    [...] Here [...]

  8. Greg:
    8

    UN unable to reach any deal tonight (not surprising) looks like this will drag on for a while.

    1,500 (+/-) reported dead. Georgians have shot down 5 Russian fighters (su-24’s I think). The fight is certainly on!

  9. Hangulman:
    9

    What is so valuable in South Ossetia?

    Are the separatists in South Ossetia REAL separatists or are they like the leaders of HanChongRyon in South Korea? (People planted in the target country to stir up trouble and give a foreign government political reason to be aggressors)

    What is with the reports of the various armies using lethal force on civilians?

    What have the Georgians done to escalate the situation?

  10. Natalya Taylor:
    10

    If you want an opinion from the opposite side of the barricades then here it is. This war in Ossetia is DIRECTLY connected with Kosovo. Kosovo was able to separate from Yugoslavia under NATO protection. Now NATO cannot allow for Ossetia to separate from Georgia because Georgia has been its ally.
    What BBC failed to mention is that Tskhinvali was bombed by Geirgian aviation and heavy artillery at 3 a.m. on August 8th. Now all of a sudden what Medvedev said doesn’t seem like such a nonesense. Russia is ready to recognize Ossetia a sovereign republic, NATO is not. The reason is pretty obvious. For if Russia ever joins NATO, the organization will lose its purpose. Most of Ossetians are Russian citizens. To protect its citizens from raids of Tbilisi Russia HAD to enter Ossetia.
    Now, consider this: according to data provided by Tskhinvali 1500 people have been killed in Ossetia. Only tens of them are soldiers.
    What appears even more blasphemous is that Georgia started the war without declaring it on the date of Olympic games opening. As long as NATO acts from the position of power, such incidents are going to persist.

  11. Alvin:
    11

    I agree. Gorrgia should be crushed as they are the violators and aggressors in this situation. I support Russia to bomb Georgia till they agree to disarm.

  12. Angela:
    12

    Don’t let the nationalists in Armenia get loud on Javakheti! That’s my first fear for now. Another closed border and even a more fragmented region will be a total desaster.

  13. noinin:
    13

    I would have thought that round about now is when we should start bombarding the White House, Downing Street, the Elysee Palace and the Chancellery with emails asking them to instruct their putative NATO allies in Georgia to withdraw their troops to allow a peacekeeping operation restore order under the leadership of the Russians but with participation from neutrals like, say, Finalnd, Ireland, India etc. While we’re all points scoring, people are dying.

    You can get the South Ossetian viewpoint of the invasion here

  14. Snakes:
    14

    Actually Georgia has attacked on southern осетию at 12 o’clock in the morning on August, 8th. For a night Hailstones and тяжолой artillery the capital southern осетии has been completely destroyed by installations (and it is women, children, old men).
    The Georgian military men finished the wounded peace inhabitants and Russian peacemakers.

  15. Alvin:
    15

    I hope the Russians inflict heavy losses on Georgia to teach them a lesson not to use force on civilians. Go Russia Go!

  16. Leopolis:
    16

    Georgia broke the UN mandate by breaking the ceasefire and Russian peacekeepers have the right to restore peace. The western press has done a bad job of telling this story, meaning that we all will be subjected to Russian officials like Dmitrii Rogozin and Russia Today compensating for this with stepped-up propaganda. Therefore, it would be wise to wait until the real facts emerge.

    Natalya — This conflict is definitely connected with Kosovo. If it is true that Russia bombed Poti port and killed Georgian civilians, the Russians will turn around and say to NATO “Look what you did to civilians in Kosovo.” But isn’t it convenient that Russia has given South Ossetians passports, and then claim that they are protecting “their” citizens?

    Lavrov attacked Georgian claims that Russia is after other territories — the Baltics, Transdnistria and Ukraine. While Russia couldn’t make claims on EU/NATO territory, Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov keeps claiming that Ukrainian Crimea is Russian territory.
    Because of this, Russia will ultimately find it difficult to win the propaganda war.

  17. Josh SN:
    17

    I’ll grant Russia Today is pretty propagandistic. So much so that I really don’t know who to believe about how this all started.

    I’m against whoever started it and for whatever the South Ossetians want (join Russia? whatever).

    By the way, the passport thing, that’s nothing new, but one (great?) American President, Stephen Grover Cleveland, spoke about it openly in 1896.

    “Besides this large pecuniary stake in the fortunes of Cuba, the United States finds itself inextricably involved in the present contest in other ways, both vexatious and costly. Many Cubans reside in this country and indirectly promote the insurrection through the press, by public meetings, by the purchase and shipment of arms, by the raising of funds, and by other means, which the spirit of our institutions and the tenor of our laws do not permit to be made the subject of criminal prosecutions. Some of them, though Cubans at heart and in all their feelings and interests, have taken out papers as naturalized citizens of the United States, a proceeding resorted to with a view to possible protection by this government and not unnaturally regarded with much indignation by the country of their origin.”

  18. UnionJack:
    18

    Saakashvili is on the run!!
    His staffers say he’s already left Georgia and is presently on the way to Ankara.
    And there is preparing in full swing for evacuation of the Georgian military headquarters and command posts from the capital city of Tbilisi and Kutaisi. In Gori there’s no more any command post of Georgian troops. It has been located in some mountain area, some witnesses say in particular.

  19. hidden:
    19

    Georgia started this war by killing their own and russian peacekeepers in Ossetia. Russia just called their army because russian have been killed. They are not entering Georgia’s territory. Russia is for Ossetia’s independence. Georgia stopped translating russian channels and blocked all russian web pages. People are being disinformated. Georgia started this war. Georgia even started to kill russian peacekeepers today, when they tried to get out from ossetia to safe zone ossetia’s people.

  20. Oleg:
    20

    People of the world. You deceive! World mass media conduct propagation of a false information. Russia DID NOT ATTACK Georgia! 07.08.2008 at 22:00 Georgia has attacked South Ossetia. At 3:30 08.08.2008 tanks of the Georgian armies have entered into city Tskhinvali. Artillery bombardment all the day long proceeded, fights with use of tanks and heavy combat material, both against ossetic armies, and against peace inhabitants were conducted. 1400 civil people already were lost. The Russian peacemakers have arrived to South Ossetia in the evening 08.08.2008 for settlement of the conflict and prompting of the world in republic and protection of the Russian citizens living on territory of South Ossetia. Georgia has attacked South Ossetia on eve of Olympiad, it is top of cruelty and cynicism. Proofs and video-materials look on : http://www.1tvrus.com/ , http://www.1tv.ru/owa/win/ort6_main.main , http://www.rian.ru/ , http://www.vesti.ru/news , http://news.ntv.ru/ , http://www.ren-tv.com/ , http://www.newsru.com/ .We shall tell is not present to WAR!!!

  21. Phantom:
    21

    to Leopolis’ “isn’t it convenient that Russia has given South Ossetians passports, and then claim that they are protecting “their” citizens?”

    Dear Leopolis, the truth is that Georgia had nothing to do with Southern Ossetia for the last 15 years. They did’n even pay pensions to ossetian pensioners. There were no jobs, no social help, there was just nothing to provide normal life in this “georgian province”. So, people had to find their own ways to earn their living. That’s the moment when ossetians started getting Russian passports. ‘Cause being a Russian citizen meant possibility to get job in the nearest Nothern Ossetia or in other regions of RF. For old people getting RF passport is the only guarantee of getting pensions.
    Now, think logically, if it was convenient for Russia which had quite a lot of other problems in the end of 90th - beggining of 2000?

  22. AleksandarVIIIIVI:
    22

    Russia should make a corridor through Georgia to it’s ally,Armenia,if they don’t take all of Georgia first.

    It’s payback time for all of those vili’s (Dhugshavili) supporters pay for their crimes.

  23. Jotman:
  24. Alvin:
    24

    For Josh, see quote from CNN:
    Saakashvili agreed the timing was not coincidental, but accused Russia of being the aggressor. “Most decision makers have gone for the holidays,” he told CNN. “Brilliant moment to attack a small country.”

    GEORGIA IS THE AGGRESSOR!!

  25. Andy:
    25

    The following is quite clear now, if you exclude any emotions:
    - Georgian preindent has sent his troops to settle it in S.Osetia. It is clear, that he has started the war, whatever the reasons he has
    - There is a huge number of civilians dead - and they are NOT georgians. They are South Osetian people.
    - BBC and CNN disinform whoever views it (it worked well with Iraq once, so why not again…?). For instance, they put more stress on a very few victims from the georgia side, georgian woman is crying from the BBC pic headlined “Russia has expanded the conflict with air strikes against targets in Georgia” - but ignore wounded and killed from osetian side (who are the majority)

  26. Alvin:
    26

    I agree. I tried putting comments on BBC and CNN as to the fact that Georgia were the aggressor, but my message was never posted. The blog only contains information about Russian aggression!! It shows how bias some media can be.

  27. Natalya Taylor:
    27

    Mass media can’t be completely objective. They always portray the interests of those in power.
    Interesting thing is that Georgia reported that they had stricken down 12 Russian planes when Russian fighter pilots themselves say that there were only 4 fighter planes sent to the conflict zone. Hmmm.. Something to think about.

  28. anna:
    28

    Alvin, Natalya,
    you russians, talking about georgian agresion, you russian have done nothing than invade and steal others land. This is what you are good in! the whole world hates you.

    Ossetia (Samachablo) is the Oldest Georgian territory and really (they have their peace keapers there, etc.) under control of Russia. Called as South Osetia-Ckhinvali Region. South Osetia is only virtual. They have criminal and illegal administration, same in Abkhazia -the oldest part of Georgia. Also is under the control of Russia now. The both autonomous Republics was created by Stalin during the USSR times to have control over all nations in the USSR. Now Russia wants to restore the USSR under Russian Federation. It is under KGB structure. As you know Putin and Medvedev are from KGB structure.

    This happens because Georgia tries to integrate in Europe and NATO to have a real independence on its own territory. Russia uses its levers to control Georgia, so that we could not fulfil our aims.

    After all Kokoit is nothing more than a small-time Moscow gangster who was selected by the Kremlin to conduct its political policy in South Ossetia. You all are bandits and criminal stealing Georgian land!

  29. anouk:
    29

    When you Ossetians have Russian pasports you know where to go! Leave Georgia!!! go back where you came from, Georgia gave you ossetian refugees shelter , now you steal their land, go back where you came from, or go to your beloved Russia if you are their citizens what the f you are doing on Georgian soil? Ossetia is and was for thousands of years Georgian heart Samachablo that you bandits stole it with the help of f russians!

  30. Madina:
    30

    PEOPLE!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!HELP TO SOUTH OSETIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    THIS IS THE WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    This message was from Tchinval(Osetia)////

    People rescue us! We only wish to live! We survive, we live last hours! It is the Hell! Rescue us from the Georgian!!!!
    Here we know the thrue http://southosetia.wordpress.com

    My God, rescue us! How many it is possible to destroy innocent people which wants the world??? That is created now-it does not give in to human reason! I have left some hours prior to war! In Tchinval there was an aunt, to undertake, nephews, close friends! They ask about the help, and I can help nothing! Today in 5 mornings there was last communication with the friend: We shall not live till the morning!!!! Farewell!!! At me heart is broken off!!! UNDERSTAND??? A battery at all are unloaded! People have nothing to eat, there is no water!My native and favourite DIE, while the severe president of Georgia cherishs the dreams!

    HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OUR PEOPLE IS DIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    GEORGIA WILL KILL OSETIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  31. Alvin:
    31

    Dear Anna, I am from Singapore, the far east. I AM NEUTRAL. MY OWN NEUTRAL OPINION. I AM NOT RUSSIAN!!!! So, you see, the whole world sees GEORGIA AS THE AGGRESSOR!! You MURDERERS!!

  32. Alvin:
    32

    For whatever reasons, when you pick up military weapons to kill innocent civilians, you are murderers! Murderers need to be punished!!
    Your president has fallen into a trap, I may feel sorry for your Georgian plight, but with blood on your hands, the neutrals are now against you!!

  33. Alvin:
    33

    Dear Anna and Anouk, I am Alvin and I AM NOT RUSSIAN.
    I am a neutral voice from the far east. For whatever Georgeans say and do, Georgia has blood on her hands after using weapons on thousands of innocent civilians. Georgia has to be punished. Russia may have an ulterior motive, but Georgia deserves punishment for her brutality. One with blood on his hands, should not expect too much help from others!!

  34. Jotman:
    34

    Andy, Alvin and Natalyia:

    You raise an interesting and valid question, which I address on my blog. Andy, besides the Iraq war, another parallel seems to be the Tibet uprisings. I explain why I think the Western media actually had a better justification in the latter case.

    Anna, please check out my historical timeline. It looks to me as if Stalin actually *betrayed* the South Ossetians, which had been faithfully allied to the Bolshevik cause, in contrast to largely Menshevik Georgia.

  35. Dmitry:
    35

    Hello.
    I’m sorry for my bad english. My education about it was so far…
    I the Russian, but in Russia we not completely trust the government. We have a famous phrase: “if government tell you any number about something - 1/3 of that number a lie.” At the same time it’s mean that 2/3 is true.
    I would like to tell you about real situation in South Ossetia, because you don’t know it. And nobody say you truth. Our TV shows, that your mass-media speak to you. I saw reportings CNN and Sky News. Saw on the TV and read on the Internet. I write this message because you have been deceived. I write this message because saw that speak your mass-media.
    The truth is:
    South Ossetia isn’t a part of Georgia. About 14 years it’s not! South Ossetia have it’s own government. Have own nation - Ossetins. And all of 14 years Georgians try to attack Ossetins. This is silent GENOCIDE.
    So on August, 8th Georgia has started to fire at Ossetia by heavy artillery. It’s 00:06 at clock(Georgia time).
    At 01:38, South Ossetian capital(Tskhinvali) is attacked by system of cover fire “GRAD”. Zone of destruction - 10 square kilometers for 1 volley. SO Georgia destroying peaceful city. You hear a number - 2000 peaceful civilian are dead? They have been killed by the Georgian military when slept in the houses. It’s genocide.
    There were 2 emergency sessions of the United Nations. The first was called by Russia, for condemnation of actions of Georgia. If to trust your mass-media the full idiocy turns out: Russia has attacked and has demanded condemnation of aggression defenders. This variant could be funny, if was not absolutely silly. But you mass-media say that. And you have believed.
    95 % Ossetins have Russian passports. They citizens of Russia. You trust, what Russia has intruded in Georgia and has destroyed 2000 they own citizens? Your mass-media speak it.
    In South Ossetia there were peace-making missions. Russian and Georgian. 15 Russian peacemakers are killed and 70 is wounded. The Georgian peacemakers have not suffered. You trust, what Russia has killed own peacemakers?
    Georgia has forbidden Russians telechannels and Russian Internet sites. What for? Freely to say lies. To say lies to the citizens and you.Your reporters are in Tbilisi. Up to a zone of the conflict approximately 150 kilometers. They show you that Georgia wants.
    You may see a picture “Bombed out building in Gori, Georgia”. Gori - one of the locations of army of Georgia. It’s not civilian city. Victims are not present. It’s response for genocide. And i’m don’t sure it’s bombed building. If building is bombed then it’s crashed. There isn’t crashed. It most likely simply fire.
    Certainly you did not see ossetic refugees who begged “Rescue us, russians!”. To you them will not show.
    Following data are taken from a site of the Russian opposition. They oppose the Russian authority and it is the solid data:
    On August, 8th, 2008:
    00:06 Georgia has begun intensive bombardment of Tskhinvali.
    Shortly before midnight Moscow time from the Georgian villages Nikozi and Ergnety bombardment from large-caliber instruments of capital of South Ossetia Tskhinvali, and also South Ossetia’s villages has begun. Representatives of not recognized republic have declared that the Georgian armies have actually begun war and storm Tskhinvali.
    00:42 Georgia has promised to guide a constitutional order in South Ossetia.
    Ordering the Georgian peacemakers Mamuka Kurashvili has named military operation in a zone of the georgia-ossetic conflict “prompting of a constitutional order in South Ossetia”. It also has called the Russian peacemakers deployed in a zone of the conflict, to not interfere with a situation.
    01:38 Storm of Tskhinvali is conducted in all directions.
    Authority of South Ossetia have declared, that the Georgian party fires at Tskhinvali from installations “Hailstones”, howitzers and large-caliber mortars.
    02:08 Georgia has declared the beginning of war with South Ossetia.
    Georgia has notified peacemakers in a zone of the conflict, on the beginning of war in South Ossetia.
    02:37 Abkhazia directs one thousand volunteers to South Ossetia.
    The president of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh on the night of Friday has called an emergency meeting of Secutiry council; under messages of mass-media, Abkhazia will send to the aid of South Ossetia about thousand volunteers.
    03:46 Georgia has begun tank attack to southern surburbs Tskhinvalis.
    The Georgian army has started tank attack to southern surburbs Tskhinvalis, the president of South Ossetia Edward Kokojty has declared. South Ossetian forces, it has emphasized, show resistance. State minister of Georgia Temur Yakobashvili, in turn, has declared, that Tskhinvali is in a ring of the Georgian armies.
    04:20 On storm of Tskhinvali the infantry has gone.
    04:33 Russia has demanded convocation of session of Secutiry council of the United Nations on a situation in South Ossetia.
    04:48 To Tskhinvali there has arrived a reinforcement from Northern Ossetia.
    06:49 Abkhazia moves armies to border with Georgia.
    07:12 the Georgian mass-media have informed on an appeal of spare militarians.
    07:23 the Georgian aircraft has struck across South Ossetia.
    08:56 the Georgian armies have begun bombardment of the Russian peacemakers.
    09:23 the Georgian mass-media have declared a capture of Tskhinvali.
    09:36 Georgia has opened the mediacenter for illumination of war in South Ossetia.
    09:44 In South Ossetia are wounded three Russian peacemakers.
    10:09 the Security Council of the United Nations has refused to condemn Georgia.
    The secutiry council of the United Nations on Friday has refused to accept the offer of Russia and to condemn use of force in the georgia-ossetic conflict. The Security Council has only expressed anxiety in occasion of growth of intensity in a zone of the conflict.
    10:21 Mamsurov and Kokoyti have denied messages on a capture of Tskhinvali.
    Presidents Northern both South Ossetia Mamsurov and Kokoyti have denied messages on capture of Tskhinvali and have declared, that will organize joint defense of not recognized republic.
    10:58 Georgia has called Russia to interfere with the conflict to South Ossetia.
    Official Tbilisi has called Russia for intervention in the conflict. According to minister of reintegration Georgia Temur Yakobashvili, the Russian party “should interfere, as the present peacemaker, and it is able to do it”.
    11:10 Command of peacemakers: at bombardment of positions of the Russian peacemakers in Tskhinvali is killed and wounded men. The exact death-roll and wounded men does not refer to; earlier it was informed that at bombardment of positions of the Russian peacemakers wounds three military men have received.
    11:38 the Representative of South Ossetia in the Russian Federation: Georgia plans ethnic cleanings in a zone of the conflict.
    “The purpose of the Georgian political elite today is ethnic cleaning, they wish to clear territory of South Ossetia from the osset, than and armed forces of Georgia” are engaged right now, - the representative of not recognized republic in the Russian Federation has declared Dmitry Medoev.
    11:48 Саакашвили has demanded from Russia to stop bombardments of the Georgian cities.
    That the Russian Federation has ostensibly put a number of aviaimpacts on the Georgian settlements inform the Georgian mass-media.
    11:48 Saakahvili has demanded from Russia to stop bombardments of the Georgian cities. That the Russian Federation has ostensibly put a number of aviaimpacts on the Georgian settlements inform the Georgian mass-media.
    12:20 the USA have demanded to stop bloodshed in a zone of the conflict. The white house has called the contradictory parties to return for negotiations.
    12:36 Peacemakers: on positions of the Russian militarians aim fire is conducted. “Command of the Russian peacemakers confirms, that purposeful fire on destruction in a place of a disposition of peacemakers in Tskhinvali” is conducted, the representative of command has declared.
    12:37 the Parliament of Northern Ossetia has called Russia to help Southern
    12:37 Georgia has denied the information on an attack on the Russian peacemakers.
    The assistant to the chapter of Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs Eka Zguladze has declared, that the Georgian divisions try to protect representatives of a peace-making contingent in a zone of the conflict.
    12:55 Southern Ossetic republican clinical hospital is destroyed by artillery fire, burns university. Fire of the Georgian artillery destroys Southern Ossetic republican clinical hospital in Tskhinvali. Burns the building of university which is being in immediate proximity from a staff of peacemakers. Intensive street fights proceed.
    13:07 Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation: Russia will protect peacemakers and citizens of the Russian Federation in a zone of the conflict. “The Georgian management has untied dirty adventure. The blood spilled in South Ossetia, will be on conscience of these people and their environments. We in insult shall not give the peacemakers and citizens of the Russian Federation”, - is spoken in the message of the Ministry of Defence of Russia.
    13:12 the Secretary general of NATO has called to stop fire in a zone of the georgia-ossetic conflict and to begin negotiations.
    The Secretary general of NATO Jaap de Hoop Sheffer has called authorities of Georgia and South Ossetia to stop fights and to return to peace talks. Authorities of Georgia, we shall remind, the introduction of the country into structure of the North Atlantic alliance want.
    13:32 the Red Cross has called to give a humanitarian corridor for granting the help to inhabitants of South Ossetia.
    13:42 the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called to stop immediately operations in South Ossetia.
    13:45 Tbilisi has directed two battalions of a reserve to South Ossetia.
    Two battalions of a reserve of the Georgian armed forces have directed to a zone of the georgia-ossetic conflict from base to Kutaisi. In the same place the third battalion is formed. A reserve and volunteers gather on bases in Vaziani, GORI, Batumi and Senaki.
    14:30 Mayor of Tbilisi: Georgia has promised to stop fire in South Ossetia on three hours.
    From 15:00 till in South Ossetia the moratorium on operations that refugees could leave a zone of the conflict through a corridor created in village Ergneti (border between South Ossetia and Georgia) will be declared. As a source of this information mayor of capital of Georgia of city Tbilisi acts.
    14:31 Peacemakers have named lies of a word of mayor of Tbilisi about cease-fire.
    The commander of Russian peacemakers Marat Kulahmetov has declared, that words about creation of a humanitarian corridor - “this next lies of the Georgian party”.
    14:36 Putin is afraid of inflow of the Russian volunteers to South Ossetia.
    The prime minister of Russia Vladimir Putin has declared the president of the USA Georges Bush, that wishing to help inhabitants of not recognized republic it will be “hard to keep” from a trip to South Ossetia.
    14:59 the President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev has promised to protect the Russian citizens in a zone of the conflict.
    15:01 Medvedev has accused Georgia of the roughest infringement of international law.
    15:06 To Tskhinvali the column of the Russian tanks moves.
    The correspondent of the First channel in South Ossetia has informed on the air referring to authorities of not recognized republic, that southern ossetic armies send to counterattack and have unblocked the road Zarskuju connecting republic with Russia. On its data, on this road the column of the Russian armies moves.
    15:33 the Georgian mass-media: the Russian planes bomb positions of the Georgian armies. The Russian planes bomb positions of the Georgian armies in South Ossetia, inform the Georgian mass-media. At least five Georgian militarians have received wounds. On victims it is not informed.
    16:00 Georgia has threatened Russia with war. The Security Council of Georgia has declared, that will declare war of Russia if the information on input of the Russian tanks to South Ossetia will prove to be true.
    16:11 Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation: the reinforcement is directed to the help in South Ossetia to the Russian peacemakers. Ministry of Defence has reacted to news about a tank column the application in which has informed, that the help is directed to the Russian peacemakers.
    16:20 Georgia has accused the Air Forces of Russia of impacts on military base with the American instructors. The Georgian party assures, that the Russian military plane on Friday has made bombing attack on territory вазианской military base in vicinities of Tbilisi in the afternoon. There are deployed including the American instructors.
    16:40 In Tskhinvali fights have stopped. City the electricity practically is completely destroyed, disconnected and there is a sharp shortage of water, stationary telecommunication does not work. Mobile communication also will soon stop work as to charge cellular telephones there is no place.
    16:58 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has asked the world community to rescue the country from Russia. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia Eka Tkeshelashvili has called foreign countries to put pressure upon Moscow to stop “direct military aggression” in the Georgian territory. Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov has reminded, that Georgia even in the morning on Friday called Russia to act in a role of the peacemaker. “We also do it”, - has told Lavrov.
    17:26 Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation: the Georgian armies shoot peacemakers and local residents on the grasped observant posts.
    The assistant to the commander-in-chief of the Land forces colonel Igor Konashenkov has declared, that the Georgian tanks in an emphasis shoot a staff and camp of peacemakers; the Georgian armies, as he said, do not allow medical services to take out wounded men from a zone of fights to Tskhinvali.
    17:26 Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation: about ten Russian peacemakers were lost, 30 are wounded in a zone of the georgia-ossetic conflict.
    17:34 In Tskhinvali have estimated number of victims in “thousand person”. Representatives of South Ossetia estimate a death-roll during bombardment by the Georgian artillery and the Air Forces of Tskhinvali in thousand person. According to the chapter of an information department of southern ossetic part of the mixed supervisory commission on settlement of conflict Inal Pliev, victims “probably, thousand because all is destroyed absolutely”.
    17:53 Sergey Lavrov: In South Ossetia the Georgian party conducts ethnic cleanings, humanitarian accident becomes ripe.
    17:55 the Air Forces of Russia have struck on the Georgian military air station. The Russian bomber has dumped a bomb on military air station in Marneuli in a southwest of Georgia, having damaged a runway. Earlier it was informed, that bombs have been dumped on military base in Vaziani, and also on cities Gori and Kareli.
    18:06 ” the First channel “: 58-th army has begun bombardment of the Georgian armies in Tskhinvali.
    Two tank columns of 58-th army of the Russian Federation have rounded Tskhinvali on road Zarskoj and have begun bombardment of positions of the Georgian militarians.
    18:58 Civil.ge: Saakashvili deduces the Georgian contingent from Iraq. The president of Georgia Michael Saakashvili has declared a conclusion of the armies from Iraq because of “the Russian aggression”.
    19:07 the Georgian mass-media: three person were lost at bombardment of military air station in Marnueli. To Troy the person five were lost also are wounded as a result of today’s bombardment of military air station in Marnueli.
    19:37 Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation: Divisions of 58-th Russian army have suppressed Georgian fire points, where Georgian forces fired city and positions of the Russian peacemakers.
    Divisions of 58-th Russian army which are near Tskhinvali in territory of South Ossetia, have suppressed Georgian fire points, where Georgian forces fired capital of not recognized republic and the Russian peacemakers. The assistant to the commander-in-chief of the Land forces of the Russian Federation has told about it colonel Igor Konashenkov.
    22:51 In South Ossetia 12 Russian volunteers were lost, yet less than 50 person have received wounds. Command of the Russian peace-making forces in a zone of the georgia-ossetic conflict has informed new data on losses.
    23:16 From Batumi aside Tskhinvali have gone 20 lorries with the Georgian militarians. According to eyewitnesses, from Batumi in South Ossetia are directed not less than 200 military men.

    On August, 9th, 2008:
    00:19 condoleezza Rice has called Russia to disengage armies from South Ossetia. “The Russian armies should leave the Georgian territory”, - is spoken in the application of the chapter of the Department of state of the USA.
    00:57 Planes of the Air Forces of Russia have struck on port Poti and military base in Senaki. The Georgian party informs, that as a result of bombardment there are victims and wounded men.
    02:10 About two one o’clock in the morning the Georgian artillery has opened fire on positions of the Russian peacemakers.
    03:27 the Security Council of the United Nations again could not make a decision on a situation in South Ossetia. The session of Security Council of the United Nations second for a day has again ended without acceptance of any decisions.
    08:39 Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation: Georgia has opened fire on an escort with wounded men. The Georgian militarians, under statements of the Russian militarians, have opened fire on an escort with the wounded men, followed of South Ossetia to Russia; the attack on an escort is accomplished around of the arrangements reached at intermediary of OSCE.
    10:14 Ministry of Defence of Georgia has declared success of approach in South Ossetia. The Ministry of Defence of Georgia approves, that the Georgian divisions successfully continue approach in South Ossetia. According to department head David Kezerashvili, not only has not conceded any before a taken position, but also continues to borrow new.
    10:50 BBC the Russian Federation have struck artilleries near Gori.
    11:01 Russia has accepted more than 30 thousand refugees from South Ossetia.
    12:10 To Tskhinvali and Tbilisi have counted the “brought down” planes. Georgians approve, that they ostensibly managed to bring down 10 Russian planes; representatives of South Ossetia speak, that they have brought down two Georgian planes.
    13:55 the Georgian artillery has renewed bombardment of a staff of the Russian peacemakers.
    14:27 South Ossetia has asked for Russia the help in a recognition of independence. The committee according to and press of South Ossetia has addressed to “to people and a management of Russia” with the request to help with a recognition of independence of not recognized republic. “To live in structure of the fascist state Georgia it is not obviously possible. We ask legal, legal aid in a recognition of independence of Republic South Ossetia”, - the text of the committee of the message placed on a site says.
    17:08 Moscow plans to address to the Hague and Strasbourg for investigation of circumstances of destruction of the Russian peacemakers.
    17:44 the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Georgia: At storm of Tskhinvali 2000 peace inhabitants were lost. Victims of shellings, aviaimpacts and storm of Tskhinvali became at least two thousand peace inhabitants of capital of South Ossetia.
    20:38 Putin has demanded to stop aggression in South Ossetia. Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin has addressed to the Georgian authorities with an appeal immediately to stop aggression against South Ossetia and yours faithfully to concern to the rights of other people.

    Refugees words:
    “I saw, how the Georgian tank has moved the grandmother with 2 grandsons”
    “I saw, how my family have tired out in the house and burn them”

    The Georgian propagandists behind work. You saw this staff:
    photo #1
    http://k.img.com.ua/img/gallery/756/8fbdf560b7f5dfb5d1305d32f0d5392a.jpg
    The corpse lays on a back.
    Photo #2
    http://k.img.com.ua/img/gallery/756/3150ab36819655b61a5a4036c3f46b1c.jpg
    The corpse is tired and has turned over on a stomach.
    Photo #3
    http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20080809&t=2&i=5508259&w=&r=2008-08-09T135819Z_01_L7680404_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE7
    The citizen has changed clothes for new shooting. But cries so well…

    Interesting pictures:
    The Georgian artillery shoots across Tskhinvali
    http://img.lenta.ru/articles/2008/08/08/ossetia/picture.jpg
    The refugee from South Ossetia
    http://kp.ru/upimg/photo/133233.jpg
    Positions of the incorporated peace-making forces after a mortar of attack.
    http://pravda.ru/photo/report/ossetia-7267/4/
    The house in Tskhinvali
    http://pravda.ru/photo/report/ossetia-7267/7/
    The Russian armies bear wounded of under bombardment
    http://pics.vesti.ru/p/b_261126.jpg
    Wall of the house in Tskhinvali
    http://pics.vesti.ru/p/b_261094.jpg
    Tskhinvali street
    http://pics.vesti.ru/p/b_260899.jpg

    On the Internet there was new staff, but I can write any more.

    Ask questions. I shall necessarily answer. ardat@mail.ru

  36. Natalya Taylor:
    36

    I would restrain from aggressive verbal attacks, dear ladies and gentlemen. I am half American, but it does not mean that I’m supposed to support the policy of the government. I welcome critical reasoning and not emotional outbursts.
    First of all, if Georgia had not been a part of USSR throughout the XX century, God knows whether that country would have still existed. I’m not necessarily too fond of all the deeds of USSR, but this country was a guarantee of stability in the world for as long as it existed.
    Now there is only one superpower that feels free to impose its principles onto the rest of the world. I’m not so sure that the United States are interested in the well-being of Georgian citizens.
    When they say that Russia was the first one to spark up the war and overlook the fact that there were certain events preceding it, I’m sorry, but I lose any hope in objectivity of the mass media. It’s like in Orvell’s “1984″ where two and two makes five, war is peace and ignorance is strength. Read that book I advise you. My personal opinion is that ignorance is bliss for all parties concerned.
    All I can do at this point is wait and see how the situation is going to turn out. Too many of my close friends had to go through Iraq already. Some go to that sandbox for the second and third trip. Iraq happenned because of oil, Georgia is happening because of the desire to weaken the potential enemy. Whatever the sitation may be, America is not acting in the interest of its own people, but in the interest of a small group of politicians.
    So before you take any side in this conflict, please make sure you have good background knowledge of history and situation at hand.

  37. Maconald:
    37

    This is again to claim that Georgian is responsible for Stalin’s act. This is not the fault of Georgia. This is a formal unrecogization of *Soviet* that Ossetian is not a republic.

    South Ossetia is effective an puppet under Russia. The world see
    South Ossetia aggressor. I will not call for punishment to those civilian just like Alvin called for. This is reprisal. This is famous Russian tactic - disrepect to civilian lives and cries “oh, we are peacekeeping”.

  38. T1000:
    38

    Stalin is the Georgian!

  39. TTO:
    39

    The US-Government is to blame for what is happening right now in the caucasus. They installed Sakashvili, they supplied him with military equipment and training, they encouraged and bolstered his ego, and then he went mad and got out of control, trying to invade South Ossetia and fight off Russia, while bombarding and killing hundreds or thousands of civilians.

  40. Nathaniel:
    40

    TTO, I am an american and I completely agree with you. This entire thing is the US governments fault. During WWI and WWII we were on the “good” side because of who are allies are. But since georgia is one of our allies, we will refuse to acknowledge the fact that they are the aggressors in this war. Russia, although I am not entirely convinced of their motivation, is doing the best they can to maintain peace. And I do not believe the media here in the States. It doesn’t make ANY sense for russia to bomb georgia and then for georgia to attack South Ossetia instead of retaliating against Russia. So I do not believe Russia attacked Georgia first. It was Georgia who provoked South Ossetia in the first place. It doesn’t help that the media in the States is saying that Georgia is the “good” side, and that Russia is “bad”. Apparently we did not learn our lesson when the Media started the Spanish-American War in the early 1900s.

  41. cyborn:
    41

    US government create fascist regime of Saakashvili, feed him with money, weapon, military training. Help him to suppress opposition inside a Georgia. For what? To support democracy? Or, more likely, to create a military base against Russia? Oh, I forgot – there is also pipeline for Caspian oil. Only one step left – make Georgia member of NATO. But, there is a little obstacle – country with unsolved territorial disputes may not became a NATO member. Ok, now what we have? Charismatic fuhrer-like leader – check! Well-trained by American instructors army – check! Modern western weapon and military equipment – check! Rise of nationalism and chauvinism in Georgia – check! Enough to start a little victorious war. Plan was brilliant. Assault of Tskhinvali has started in a day of Olympic Games opening. Most of the people watch the great show and not noticed a little war. CNN do not pay much attention to Georgian army’s actions. Why bother? It’s only Russian citizens was murdered – not an American or their allies. Saakashvili estimate his troops quickly take over South Ossetia, and no one can see destruction of Tskhinvali and ethnic cleanings of SO people. He was wrong only in one point. Saakashvily used to think what Russians did not dare to interfere, or do it too late. Just like in Kosovo, when Albanians cutting throats to Serbs, after withdraw of Russian peacekeepers. But on this time things going different. Russian decide to protect South Ossetia at all costs – even if their actions would enrage powerful US. Invading russian tanks – that’s more interesting news to CNN, than 1500 dead Ossetians and destroyed Tskhinvali. TA-DAAA! RUSSIAN ATTACK ON GEORGIA! STOP RUSSIAN AGRESSION! BOMBING OF CIVILIAN GEORGIAN CITY! (Looks like a ossetian capital was not a civilian, and 1500 killed Ossetians – all military. Or a Belgrad, or Baghdad has no civilian porulation…) Yes – Russians guilty in a greatest war crime – their stand against a will of US government, against a CNN opinion, against a US pet nazi – Saakashvili, against a holocaust in South Ossetia.

  42. Haykk:
    42

    Everyone who think and judjes objectively understands that first the war began the Georgia.

    To be more correct we should note that Sahakashvili began the war by the command of usa. And we can say that USA began the war against Russia to make Russia troubles, not let him to grow, and of course decrease Russia’s energetic strength.
    Also as at the moment in US the elections go on, republicans need to have something to say to make their candidates votes to increase.

    Every thinking man can say that the bigining of the war was not surprise as Georgia by the help of USa and Nato was preparing to this war very long time.

    Before the bigining the war the Georgia was really developing and growing, and indeed it does not need the war, and of course the war was much more needed for USA, and we should say that sahakashvili acted arising not from Georgia’s benefits but for US benefits.

    Unfortunately in this game which usa started many peaceful peopole diying and suffering.

    I was shocked when noticed that western democtaric organisations, countries , objective and reputable tvs while concerning this matter they did not say at first any word about that the first day Georgians military attacked the South Osetia, that many peacful people were killed by georgians, that almost the Tskinvali was destroyed.

    Hey world what is going on, be objective, not let some countries politicians to make the world stupid.

    Why when the same americans did in yugoslavia, kosovo, Belgrad and in other countries they have rigth to do it.
    Why world blame Karadjich but not Sahakashvili.
    Why USa should do everything it want, and when it is better for them it is allowed and when it is not good for them then it is bad.

    Why they can use democracy as they like but not as it should be.

    Why kosovo can be independent but South Osetia , Abkazia and others can not.

    It is obvious that both USa and Russia , and European Union play thier game for their own benefits and they does not care about others.

    I want that every human in this world in everyithing being done in this world may give objective comments, say the truth because it is the truth but not to say anything becasuse it wants usa, russia, france, great britain, germany or others.

    I don’ t like when usa or other big country uses small countries and nations in thier games.

    If world countinue in this manner, further everthing in the world would be as it like a big country.

    Stop liying world be objective.

  43. Alvin:
    43

    I agree with my american friend, Nathaniel. I tried posting comments about Georgia being the aggessor on CNN and BBC and they were rejected. I guessed they were paid to only ut up comments that Russia is at fault. During Isreali’s attack on Lebanon, I also tried to place comments that Isreal is aggressive and should be curbed, BBC never accepted my comments.

    US’s media is so corrupt and biased that they can fabricate enough lies for their president to go to war, as in Iraq. Really scary how the West ‘twist’ the news. Yet, they kept condemning Asian countries for curbing freedom of speech! Strange world!

  44. Natalya Taylor:
    44

    I had to check before I could say this, but Medvedev never had been a part of KGB or FSB. Info agencies from both sides suffer from a certain degree of corruption. Russia did drop bombs on Gori. They wanted to bomb a military base, but accidentally blew the uptown to pieces. Oops.. I’m more than sure they didn’t do it deliberately. Here goes to show you the condition of Russia’s armed forces. But that’s another story.
    Georgia would be the perfect base to attack Iran from. So I can understand some logic in the actions of the US, but what I do fail to understand is what’s in it for France and them. Oh and by the way, the Crimea is a historically Russian territory. Luzhkov was right when he said whatever he did. But what Sarcosi is doing remains a mystery to me.

  45. Rumwold Leigh:
    45

    Dear Bloggers

    Unlike most of you, I am on both sides of the fence, as an Englishman living in Georgia with a Georgian family. Unlike most of you, I also know something of what I am talking about.

    FACT: South Ossetia is part of Georgia, as every country on earth recognises. You cannot invade your own country.

    FACT: The South Ossetian “separatist regime” has nothing to do with the South Ossetian people. They are gang of self-appointed thugs who support themselves by violence and extortion. They are no more representative of the Ossetians than the IRA is representative of Catholics in Northern Ireland, who repeatedly cry “Not in Our Name!”

    FACT: Russia is bombing civilian targets in Georgia which are nowhere near the conflict zone and have nothing to do with “defending South Ossetians”. How do I know? My wife is stranded in a village to the east of the zone, hears the bombs, sees the planes flying over. Younger son was in Batumi until he ran home because the city was bombed. Let us see how many of you who claim Russia has humanitarian motives for its actions will come and get my wife out of that village.

    FACT: Saakashvili is a criminal who has no right to be President of Georgia in the first place. He planned all this so he could claim to be a martyr instead of dying in a Georgian jail. He plans to attack Abkhazia on Thursday, according to US military sources here. None of this however alters the fact that Georgia has the right to retake its own territory from an illegal regime and Russia has no right to either intervene or bomb Georgia. If it happened in your country, you would all change your tune.

    Lots of people have died in this war and a lot more will. Wait till your relatives are involved and then submit half-baked nonsense on the internet.

  46. Al:
    46

    Rumworld has some facts and some emotional statements because of his involvement. If we believe him totally, then he can solve it all. Georgeans capture and send their president to Russia in exchange for peace in their country!! How about that?

  47. Rumwold Leigh:
    47

    Thanks for commenting Al. Facts are facts, whether expressed emotionally or not. Saakashvili will probably be booted out when this is over, and not before time, but the Russians would not want him. The root of the problem is Russian support for illegal regimes, by giving Russian passports to South Ossetian and Abkhazian people who live in what every country, including Russia, recognises to be GEORGIA and not a self-proclaimed state. This is what the international community should have recognised as the first act of aggression.

    In South Ossetia, Georgians and Ossetians (if there are such a thing - it is not universally recognised that they ARE in fact a distinct ethnic group!) live side by side, unlike in Abkhazia where ethnic cleansing by the Abkhaz drove ethnic Georgians to the other side of the line or out altogether. How therefore would it be possible to target Ossetian civilians? Saakashvili has shot at his own people for political gain before, during the election campaign (details on request) but that in itself demonstrates that he cannot target Ossetians, only the regime inflicted on them, and Russia’s reasoning for getting involved is a barefaced lie, and it knows it.

    There is no solution to this crisis which does not involve stopping Russia and punishing it for its invasion of Georgia. You just can’t get away from that. If Russia continues, the supine international “leaders”, who as always appear capable of everything except leadership, will finally have to take notice of this.

  48. Natalya Taylor:
    48

    Rumwold, I salute you for what you said. Russia really doesn’t want to voice the real reason of this invasion, but it’s a pretty valid one though.
    When Kosovo was recognized as a sovereign contry, that’s when all hell broke loose. NATO and them understood perfectly that this action would serve as a catalyzer for this domino process of other republics wanting to declare their independence. That means a catastrophe for the contry which consists of separate federal republics. And the collapse of Russia would throw the whole world off balance.
    So when SO decided to break away from Georgia Russia only rubbed its hands and gave passports to all those who were interested in that kind of protectorate. By no means it wanted to tolerate a NATO member by its own border. Too bad regular civilians had to suffer from this political gamble.
    OK, to the next point. Maybe someone can explain to me what in the world are Georgian soldiers doing in Iraq? What’s in it for them? Or for Georgia to that effect

  49. TTO:
    49

    Rumworld, everything what Russia did is fine by western standards. The people in South Ossetia and Abkazia are de facto indepedent and their population voted overhelmingly for indepence. Georgia had nothing to do with this terretory for over 15 years, these borders are a stalinist artifact. Georgia just wants to preserve Stalins heritage, who arbitrarily drawed these borders. Georgia has completly lost its rights for the terretory when they started to kill innocent civilians. When Serbia invaded Kosovo the west started a several months long bombing campaign, and then deposed the democraticly elected leader. Russia did not went so far, it just destroyed the military infrastructure of georgia, so that it cannot attack a second time. In every war civilians get killed, this is a tragidy, but it cannot be avoided, if you want to prevent that more innocent people get killed, even with high precision weapons, as we could see in iraq.

  50. Alvin:
    50

    So what is the solution to this mess? Maybe a demilitarised zone around both S. Ossentia and Abkhazia, which was what the Russians are trying to clear out the Georgean forces around the areas.?

  51. Maconald:
    51

    I am glad to hear from Rumwold. There are 25% population of Georgian living in South Ossetia. This is not possible to have one sided conflict so Ossetian is peaceful and Georgian is evil. This is naked propaganda. Russia may bomb South Ossetia because there is no Russian here (except those crappy visa issued by 2003). Even some think Georgian hates Ossetian how can Georgian bomb them and saving those Georgian?

    It is not anything objective to spread the so-call genocide.

  52. Maconald:
    52

    With regarded to Saakashvili part, I consider it is internal matter of Georgia. If he violated Georgian law, arrest him and try him. This is not a matter a Chinese like me can say about.

    As to the solution Rumwold is right. “There is no solution to this crisis which does not involve stopping Russia and punishing it for its invasion of Georgia.” Forging a “genocide” casus belli is nowhere acceptable.

    If Ossertia is so willing to be independent, why did he break up with Russia? The North Ossertia is not part of Ossertia?

  53. Alvin:
    53

    I can say that there are many open questions. However, one thing is for sure, even pro-Georgia CNN and western media reports that Georgia launched an attack on its own citizens to start the war. Also, news reporters interviewing escaping refugees point their fingers at Georgean forces.

    I am surprised that Maconald is a Chinese, because I am too. I thought Chinese are more analytical. Now, you are accusing the pro-Western media to forge reports to support Russia???

    As I mentioned, some bloggers have real great imagination, maybe due to their background. Maconald has already been awarded a few prizes for his “unique” quality.

  54. TTO:
    54

    Well, McDonald, how would you call the killing of hundreds or up to two thousand innocent civilians, if not a genocide? Is CNN your only information source?