Russia/Georgia Situation News & Updates

U.S. Marine Corps delegation in Georgia to discuss military ties

TBILISI, August 21 (RIA Novosti) - A delegation of the United States Marine Corps arrived in Georgia on Friday to discuss military cooperation between the countries, Georgia's Defense Ministry said.

The delegation, led by General James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, met with Georgian Defense Minister Vasil Sikharulidze, former defense chief Davit Kezerashvili, who oversees military ties with the U.S., and other officials.

"The main focus of discussions was on present and future cooperation. The sides also discussed the security environment surrounding Georgia, and priorities for the ministry, and reform issues," the ministry said in a statement.

So it's not just all about training soldiers for Afghanistan...

A team of U.S. marine instructors earlier arrived in Georgia to train a battalion for service as part of coalition forces in Afghanistan. A team of 60-70 marines will be in the country for six months to help train a 750-strong battalion.

The United States helped train Georgian troops for a mission in Iraq before last August's armed conflict.

It seems to me that if the US really goes ahead in helping Georgia more than training troops for Afghanistan, Russia will give Iran the S-300s.

This is yet another big old debate just like the Israel and Iran thing. Probably everything will go on as normal. Blockades happen all the time, how many countries are blockaded honestly. I dont like them because it harms citizens which dont have anything to do with political squabble, but it should also make the people rise and end their governments.

If its war than be it, its the human way!

Well, this is an unfortunate situation indeed. Does Abkhazia have any legal basis to state a blockade is an act of war? I think the problem lies in that the UN is not recognizing these regions as independant, so they won't recognize Georgia as blockading an going to war with itself.

Some veyr corrupt stuff there. And yet they were all happy when last year Kosovo declared its independance fromm Serbia only months before. I think 2010 will be the year to see this region see some truly unsdettling activity.

reply to post by DYepes


From wiki...

The International Criminal Court plans to include blockades against coasts and ports in its list of acts of war in 2009.

So basically, let's say Abkhazia is not a independant nation... Georgia is now technically in civil war. If they are a nation, Georgia and Abkhazia, and by extension Russia, are now in a technical state of war.

It is not an embargo. It's a blockade.

Stopping all land transport to and from an area may also be considered a blockade.

Ukraine is also at war with Abkhazia then since it's ILLEGAL for an ukrainian to go to Abkhazia.

So technically speaking...Ukraine and Georgia are at war with Abkhazia.

This is quite dangerous...and NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT IT.

Originally posted by KonigKaos
If its war than be it, its the human way!

There's nothing inherently human about war, it's a symptom of the class based scoeity we've let them create. Conflict, violence, sure I'll give you that, but all out war isn't natural. The feudal system is alive and well, only the names have changed.
I hope all this will end well, but the chances of this becomming more than a reigonal conflict hopefully will be quelled by the proximity and involvement of the 'super powers'. I don't imagine Russia or the EU would want an all out war in such a strategicly important area, but then again you can read 20th century history and pretty much literally follow the pipelines, and the subsequent 'conflicts'.

It's funny how western media is obsessing with the Megrahi story. I wonder if this whole argument between the US, Scotland, Britain and Libya has been orchestrated to prevent the media discussing Georgia as something big seems to be going off there!

Just a bit of wild speculation!

Russia accuses Ukraine of fighting for Georgia against S.Ossetia

Russian prosecutors said on Monday that Ukrainian troops and members of a nationalist group were involved in Georgia's attack on South Ossetia last August.

"Ukraine's regular Defense Ministry units and at least 200 members of the UNA-UNSO nationalist organization joined Georgia in its military aggression against the republic of South Ossetia," the investigation department of the Prosecutor General's Office's said in a statement.

Russian investigators say they have found uniforms, photographs and documents belonging to Ukrainian National Assembly - Ukrainian National Self Defense (UNA-UNSO) members, as well as documents authorizing them to use vehicles provided by Georgian authorities.

Interesting...but not very surprising since Ukraine was giving arms to Georgia.

UPDATE: Georgia prepares for terrorist attacks on S Ossetia – KGB

TSKHINVAL, August 24 (Itar-Tass) - South Ossetia’s State Security Committee says Georgia prepares for terrorist attacks on the republic.

“The South Ossetian State Security Committee has information saying Georgian special services will prepare and commit terrorist acts on the republic’s territory,” according to a statement circulated by the State Security Committee on Monday.

[edit on 24-8-2009 by Vitchilo]

Georgia allegedly plotting terrorist attacks in s.ossetia

Security services in South Ossetia say Georgia is preparing to carry out terrorist attacks in the republic. The reports are coming just a few days before the republic marks the first anniversary of its independence.

“The state security committee of the Republic of South Ossetia possesses authentic data about plans of Georgia’s special forces to prepare and carry out terror acts on the territory of South Ossetia in near future,” stated the security body.

Security measures are being stepped up. Citizens have been warned to report any suspicious activities to the police.

The news comes just a few days before the republic celebrates the first year of independence from Georgia, after Russia and later Nicaragua recognized the state.

A few news...

Russia to begin gas supplies to S.Ossetia bypassing Georgia

A new pipeline to supply Russian natural gas to South Ossetia bypassing Georgia will be inaugurated in Tskhinvali on Wednesday, to mark the anniversary of the former Georgian republic's independence.

Medvedev still 'has no regrets' over Abkhazia, S.Ossetia

"Because of the situation that happened and in order to protect the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, no other decision was possible...I have no regrets about that decision," Medvedev told journalists during his visit to Mongolia.

Russia cuts troops in Abkhazia, S.Ossetia

Russia has reduced the number of its personnel stationed at military bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia to 1,700 in each republic, the chief of the General Staff said on Wednesday.

Gen. Nikolai Makarov said that it was originally planned to increase personnel numbers to 4,800-5,000 but then "we decided that 1,700 should be enough."

reply to post by Vitchilo


I believe that our Marine Corps has no business in Georgia. I disagreed with Russian policies in the past, but since Saakashvili took the path of direct military confrontation, I feel he's squandered his political capital and credibility.

Look, if Georgia spent $1B annually on improving their economy (instead of buying weapons) and became a new Switzerland on the Black Sea (which it has every opportunity to do), all these "breakaway" republics would be begging to rejoin Great Georgia. Instead, the money and lives were wasted for all sides.

Georgia is a small and poor country, one billion greenbacks should go a long way.

They REALLY, REALLY don't understand...

Georgia replaces defense minister

Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaya was named the country's defense minister on Thursday, replacing David Sikharulidze, the presidential administration said.

Akhalaya started working for the ministry early this year, and earlier held the post of head of the Justice Ministry's Prison Service.

Akhalaya said Thursday his main task was to "increase defense capacity." He also said the armed forces would be modernized and the process of NATO integration sped up.

What? They really are in their little world.

Russia to fight piracy (georgian piracy) off Abkhazia waters. This could be interesting since Georgia consider Abkhazia waters to be theirs...now Russia will help Abkhazia...either Georgia will have to let the oil cargos go to Abkhazia, aka backing down, or confront Russia....

Russia to help guard Abkhazia's territorial waters

The Russian Federal Security Service's coast guards will work with Abkhazia's border service to protect ships passing through Abkhazia's territorial waters from Georgian forces, the FSB border service said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Yevgeny Inchin, deputy head of the border service, told RIA Novosti that measures to ensure protection from Georgia must also be carried out as part of preparations for the 2014 Olympic Games to be held in the Russian resort of Sochi, near Abkhazia.

Nice pretext...

Georgia says Abkhazia is part of its territory and considers the delivery of cargo to the republic by sea without Tbilisi's permission to be illegal. Georgia's coast guards have detained 23 ships in Abkhazia's waters since early 2009.

23 ships!

Asked whether Russia's coast guards will stop Georgia from detaining ships going to and from Abkhazia, Inchin said his service has special boats to fulfill this task. "Believe me, they will do this effectively and productively, as the 'Sochi factor' with the upcoming Olympic Games is now a decisive one," he said.

Nice. Russia will defend boats going to Abkhazia.

Georgia's state minister on reintegration, Temur Yakobashvili, told RIA Novosti on Friday that Tbilisi will consider Russian coast guard operations in Abkhaz waters as piracy.

"Along with illegal activity on Abkhaz territory, Russia now wants to become a pirate," he said.

GO AHEAD GEORGIA. MAKE RUSSIA'S DAY.

[edit on 28-8-2009 by Vitchilo]

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Russia to fight piracy (georgian piracy) off Abkhazia waters. This could be interesting since Georgia consider Abkhazia waters to be theirs...now Russia will help Abkhazia...either Georgia will have to let the oil cargos go to Abkhazia, aka backing down, or confront Russia....

Russia to help guard Abkhazia's territorial waters

The Russian Federal Security Service's coast guards will work with Abkhazia's border service to protect ships passing through Abkhazia's territorial waters from Georgian forces, the FSB border service said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Yevgeny Inchin, deputy head of the border service, told RIA Novosti that measures to ensure protection from Georgia must also be carried out as part of preparations for the 2014 Olympic Games to be held in the Russian resort of Sochi, near Abkhazia.

Nice pretext...

Georgia says Abkhazia is part of its territory and considers the delivery of cargo to the republic by sea without Tbilisi's permission to be illegal. Georgia's coast guards have detained 23 ships in Abkhazia's waters since early 2009.

23 ships!

Asked whether Russia's coast guards will stop Georgia from detaining ships going to and from Abkhazia, Inchin said his service has special boats to fulfill this task. "Believe me, they will do this effectively and productively, as the 'Sochi factor' with the upcoming Olympic Games is now a decisive one," he said.

Nice. Russia will defend boats going to Abkhazia.

Georgia's state minister on reintegration, Temur Yakobashvili, told RIA Novosti on Friday that Tbilisi will consider Russian coast guard operations in Abkhaz waters as piracy.

"Along with illegal activity on Abkhaz territory, Russia now wants to become a pirate," he said.

GO AHEAD GEORGIA. MAKE RUSSIA'S DAY.

[edit on 28-8-2009 by Vitchilo]

Both sides see as themselves as doing the right thing. In these types of circumstances a conflict seems inevitable.

The Russian chess pieces are being moved into position. It seems that sanctions against Iran are also inevitable, and so NATO chess pieces will also be on the move shortly. The French and Germans are as eager as the Israeli's, and the US and Britain are already a part of this mess.

[edit on 29-8-2009 by john124]

Georgia accuses Russian channels of illegal broadcasting in Abkhazia, S. Ossetia

"This is all done for domestic propaganda, to show that the authorities are pursuing an active policy toward Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Our government has not got the means to make the violators actually pay the fine," said independent analyst Georgy Khukhashvili. "For example, no one is trying to fine Russian energy companies operating in the two republics. Inter RAO also controls a large share of Georgian power generation sector. Russian mobile operators, for example: they work in Abkhazia, but nobody fines Beeline in Georgia. This is all just empty propaganda," he added.

Really, really... That's Obama ``peace deal`` with Russia...

U.S. resumes training of Georgian troops

U.S. military specialists are starting on Tuesday a new training course for Georgian troops set to join an international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, the Georgian Defense Ministry said.

A team of U.S. marine instructors earlier arrived in Georgia to train a battalion for service as part of coalition forces in Afghanistan. A team of 60-70 marines will be in the country for six months to help train a 750-strong battalion. [...] The United States helped train Georgian troops for a mission in Iraq before last August's armed conflict.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Really, really... That's Obama ``peace deal`` with Russia...

U.S. resumes training of Georgian troops

U.S. military specialists are starting on Tuesday a new training course for Georgian troops set to join an international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, the Georgian Defense Ministry said.

A team of U.S. marine instructors earlier arrived in Georgia to train a battalion for service as part of coalition forces in Afghanistan. A team of 60-70 marines will be in the country for six months to help train a 750-strong battalion. [...] The United States helped train Georgian troops for a mission in Iraq before last August's armed conflict.

How clueless can you be??? Why shouldn't the US provide this training, it's a batallion of 750, not the whole bloody army!

reply to post by john124


Hey John, do us a favor and stop quoting the entire previous post and
just hit the "reply" button, which is right next to "quote" button.

Why shouldn't we provide that training?
Well, do you really think it's going to help the situation?
Or will it just continue to foment violence n the region?

To myself, this just seems like the status quo of ongoing American Imperialism.
We get some other dumb country (proxy) to do our dirty work, so we can secure
their strategic resources for our own profit and use. And well, I don't think my tax
dollars should be used for that, especially in this time of budgetary concerns.

And I like to reiterate buddhasystem's points-

Look, if Georgia spent $1B annually on improving their economy (instead of buying weapons) and became a new Switzerland on the Black Sea (which it has every opportunity to do), all these "breakaway" republics would be begging to rejoin Great Georgia. Instead, the money and lives were wasted for all sides.

Couldn't have said it any better.

I think big V's point was if Obama really wanted to make a peace deal
with the Russians, we wouldn't be training Georgian troops to fight them.
But I don't want to put words in V's mouth, so I'll let him respond.

I think big V's point was if Obama really wanted to make a peace deal
with the Russians, we wouldn't be training Georgian troops to fight them.

Yeah basically. Obama the warmongerer should stop saying he's pro-peace and admit what he really is, a warmongerer. Increase in troops in Afghanistan, continuing support of Georgia to this disgusting regime.

America should at the very least ignore Georgia or tell them they won't talk to them until there's real elections and that this crazy bastard Saakasvilli is out of there.

And yeah, america shouldn't be spending money to train georgian troops.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

I think big V's point was if Obama really wanted to make a peace deal
with the Russians, we wouldn't be training Georgian troops to fight them.

Yeah basically. Obama the warmongerer should stop saying he's pro-peace and admit what he really is, a warmongerer. Increase in troops in Afghanistan, continuing support of Georgia to this disgusting regime.

America should at the very least ignore Georgia or tell them they won't talk to them until there's real elections and that this crazy bastard Saakasvilli is out of there.

And yeah, america shouldn't be spending money to train georgian troops.

It's funny that when somebody believes the Russian propaganda, they believe almost anything, and just ignore aspects of repetitive Russian aggression throughout history.

You may want a one-sided view, but I don't.

By your definition of Obama, you must have a very fine line between warmongerer and pro-peacer!

[edit on 1-9-2009 by john124]

Originally posted by aecreate
reply to post by john124

 

Hey John, do us a favor and stop quoting the entire previous post and
just hit the "reply" button, which is right next to "quote" button.

Why shouldn't we provide that training?
Well, do you really think it's going to help the situation?
Or will it just continue to foment violence n the region?

To myself, this just seems like the status quo of ongoing American Imperialism.
We get some other dumb country (proxy) to do our dirty work, so we can secure
their strategic resources for our own profit and use. And well, I don't think my tax
dollars should be used for that, especially in this time of budgetary concerns.

And I like to reiterate buddhasystem's points-

Look, if Georgia spent $1B annually on improving their economy (instead of buying weapons) and became a new Switzerland on the Black Sea (which it has every opportunity to do), all these "breakaway" republics would be begging to rejoin Great Georgia. Instead, the money and lives were wasted for all sides.

Couldn't have said it any better.

I think big V's point was if Obama really wanted to make a peace deal
with the Russians, we wouldn't be training Georgian troops to fight them.

But I don't want to put words in V's mouth, so I'll let him respond.

I don't think you can define it imperialism by the training of 750 Georgian troops.

It seems that Russia doesn't want Georgia to be armed, yet will maintain a military presence in Georgia, with incursions into Georgia proper.

How about Russia be more reasonable and let EU monitors into S.Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Recently the S.Ossetian leader said S.Ossetia will become part of Russia at a later date. I thought they wanted to be independent!!! Not part of Russia!!!

So you want Georgia to not even arm itself at all, and expect sensible people to think that's a valid reason to support your delusion. How do you know that S.Ossetian's don't want to be part of Georgia, rather than be independent? Because Russian media told you??!! Well.... there's probably the answer!

When you fill your head up with Russian propaganda, you can almost believe anything about Georgia. And it can even make you delude yourselves into thinking Russia are perfect. I'd hate to break your delusion, but one day you'll discover this on your own.

I think the truth of these issues are both sides are to blame, and the extent of this will never be known, not for a long time at least.

It's highly unperceptive to jump to wild conclusions from so little facts, and jump on the bandwagon just because of 750 troops being trained by the US.

You could also argue that if the Kremlin wanted peace with the US, they wouldn't be building the Iranian nuclear facilities. It's all part of a political game, and both sides will say they want peace, but what they want is to have the most power.

[edit on 1-9-2009 by john124]