Why Russia’s response to Georgia was right

[populistdriven]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7863e71a-689e-11dd-a4e5-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1

By Sergei Lavrov for The Financial Times

The writer is minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation

~snip~

Let me be absolutely clear. This is not a conflict of Russia’s making; this is not a conflict of Russia’s choosing. There are no winners from this conflict. Hours before the Georgian invasion, Russia had been working to secure a United Nations Security Council statement calling for a renunciation of force by both Georgia and South Ossetians. The statement that could have averted bloodshed was blocked by western countries.

Last Friday, after the world’s leaders had arrived at the Beijing Olympics, Georgian troops launched an all-out assault on the region of South Ossetia, which has enjoyed de facto independence for more than 16 years. The majority of the region’s population are Russian citizens. Under the terms of the 1992 agreement to which Georgia is a party, they are afforded protection by a small number of Russian peacekeeping soldiers. The ground and air attack resulted in the killing of peacekeepers and the death of an estimated 1,600 civilians, creating a humanitarian disaster and leading to an exodus of 30,000 refugees. The Georgian regime refused to allow a humanitarian corridor to be established and bombarded a humanitarian convoy. There is also clear evidence of atrocities having been committed – so serious and systematic that they constitute acts of genocide.

~snip~

Russia has been entirely proportionate in its military response to Georgia’s attack on Russian citizens and peacekeepers. Russia’s tactical objective has been to force Georgian troops out of the region, which is off limits to them under international agreements. Despite Georgia’s assertion that it had imposed a unilateral ceasefire, Russian peacekeepers and supporting troops remained under continued attack – a fact confirmed by observers and journalists in the region. Russia had no choice but to target the military infrastructure outside the region being used to sustain the Georgian offensive. Russia’s response has been targeted, proportionate and legitimate.

~snip~

Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia’s president, has stated that “unless we stop Russia, unless the whole world stops it, Russian tanks will go to any European capital tomorrow”, adding on a separate occasion that “it’s not about Georgia any more. It’s about America”. It is clear that Georgia wants this dispute to become something more than a short if bloody conflict in the region. For decision-makers in the Nato countries of the west, it would be worth considering whether in future you want the men and women of your armed services to be answerable to Mr Saakashvili’s declarations of war in the Caucasus.

~snip~

[bemildred]

1. Oh good.

:popcorn::popcorn:

[populistdriven]

2. South Ossetia would have continued to be wiped out, with no world intervention at all,

if Russia didn't go in.

It looks like Mikheil Saakashvili and his buddy Bush are both guilty of war crimes.

[bemildred]

3. Well, I'm glad we got that cleared up. nt

[phantom power]

4. Putin has been taking notes from BushCo.

[bemildred]

5. Yeah. They do not have the Mighty Wurlitzer at their command yet though.

But we could see that one of these days. But they are definitely not as gullible as they used to be.

[populistdriven]

6. Putin makes * look like a novice, the mighty Wurlitzer is broken. nt

[phantom power]

7. Compared to Russia, the US is definitely novice.

They've been playing the sphere-of-influence game for a long time.

[Igel]

8. Headline: Russian foreign minister says Russia was right.

Subtext: This is Russian foreign minister's job.

I know I'm convinced.

"The statement that could have averted bloodshed was blocked by western countries" is the kind of diplomatese that leaves me in stitches.

[populistdriven]

9. Typical Fascist Propaganda is nothing to laugh at, we have been putting up with it for 8 years

[LeftishBrit]

10. A plague on both their houses (this refers to the leaders, not the people)

One would-be tinpot dictator, who doubtless wishes his country was still the imperial power that it was 30 years ago. And one unstable ultra-nationalistic hothead. And neither of them caring enough about the people whom they should be serving.

I hope that a peace agreement can be worked out before many more people get killed.