reply to post by thefreepatriot
South ossetia is not part of Georgia... So exactly how does Georgia already have this [i.e. South Ossetia]?
This is factually incorrect. This is why, for example, in trying to provide a balanced position Ron Paul gave the analogy of "How would we feel if
Russians were on the border and started claiming that New Mexico is part of Mexico?" (Listen from about 4:50 in video 1: he states this analogy to
the Georgian perspective before going on to explaining the Russian perspective.)
If you are in any doubt, here is a quick explanation based on the attempt by South Ossetian authorities to force the issue of independence from
Georgia via a referendum not sanctioned by the central government:
The Georgian side considers this move by de facto authorities in Tskhinvali as a provocative and unconstitutional action, and warns that this
decision will further raise the tensions in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone...
...On September 13, 2006, the Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary General Terry Davis commented on the problem, stating that
“The secessionist authorities of the South Ossetian region of Georgia are wasting time and effort on the organisation of a "referendum on
independence" in November... I do not think that anyone will recognise the result of such a referendum. If the people in power in South Ossetia are
genuinely committed to the interest of the people they claim to represent, they should engage in meaningful negotiations with the Georgian government
in order to find a peaceful, internationally accepted outcome.
Source:
en.wikipedia.org...
reply to post by Unit541
Georgia invaded S. Ossetia. - True
False. No army can 'invade' its own country.
Georgia invaded S. Ossetia before Russia's military response - True (couldn't very well be a "response" if the reverse were true)
Not necessarily true at all.
1) Russian forces have been massing in the area for many months, suggesting a major move on their part was being prepared for.
2) Russian passports have been issued (in Georgian territory where Russia has no legal jurisdiction) - a clear act of provocation.
3) Russian 'peacekeepers' were clearly highly partisan, as the local population is overwhelmingly ethnically Russian. It is highly credible that
they did nothing to hinder separatist attacks on Georgian forces, to say the least.
4) Russia had everything to gain from a conflict. Through annexation they could gain a 'buffer zone' with a country that has applied for NATO
membership. It should also be borne in mind that they had the overwhelming force required to guarantee success.
5) Most likely (i.e. both consistent with what is most logical and with what accords with reports from the ground) South Ossetian insurgents fired on
Georgian forces in small-scale skirmishes (-which has been happening on and off for years, infuriating the Georgian government). The Georgian
government then authorized a strong response to eliminate the militia responsible. Around 50 civilians died as a result of the fighting, which took
place in an urban area. The fact that so many civilians died was used (and grossly exaggerated) by Russia as a pretext to occupy South Ossetia - and
invade Georgia (to neutralize Georgian military assets).
6) It would fit with Russia's geopolitical aims to assume that the Russian 'peacekeepers' (i.e. Russian soldiers present in small numbers,) on
explicit orders from Moscow, acted as
agents provocateurs, knowing that any Georgian backlash would provide just the excuse needed to justify
the accomplishment of the Russian government's objectives in the region. I admit this last point is speculation. But informed speculation.
S. Ossetians want to be part of Georgia - False
It makes no difference. Only a referendum on independence sanctioned by their government would have any legal force. South Georgia has substituted
military uprising for the democratic process.
The only reason people are not seeing through all this is that Georgia shot itself in the foot by not minimizing civilian casualties. The
disproportionate response from the Georgian military has enabled the Russian media to portray these events in a very convenient light.
If you keep digging it is apparent that not the Georgian government, not Russia or even South Ossetia was inclined to settle this dispute through
negotiation. It was probably just a matter of time before a flare-up occurred. But as is often the case in war, first the Georgian government
miscalculated, then the Russian government. Both overplayed their hand.
And both have ended up with egg on their face.
