Georgian / Russian Issue Not as Cut and Dried as Some Would Like Us

[Bluerthanblue]

to understand- A lot depends on how you choose to view this-


There is a very good article from the Guardian:



<<snip>>>

Would that these sacrosanct principles had applied to Serbia, which fought on just those grounds to keep Kosovo an integral part of its recognised territory. But the west recognised that European integration and American good faith would both have been profoundly damaged by stiffing the Kosovans; and in a sound calculation that combined realpolitik with democratic principle, Kosovo was recognised as an independent state of the sort that, soon, Russia will be recognising Abkhazia and Ossetia as. Indeed, it is hard to see how the Georgian taste for democracy is any weaker than the Kosovan, or how the fate of Abkhazia and Ossetia affects the fate of Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, or the Baltics – long-sovereign nation-states without ungovernable autonomous regions, and Nato members to boot.

The fact remains that even if Russia were to squander its advantages and foolishly conquer all of Georgia, the consolidation of democratic, representative government on mainland Europe would be unaffected. American foreign policy, however, would not be. As much as we must work not to make an enemy of Russia, we cannot rule out the possibility that Russia, in its zeal to teach Georgia a lesson it will never forget, may be willing to risk making an enemy of America. Given the jingoism coming from American quarters, Russia enjoys, as is its wont, plausible grounds for appealing to the simple logic of tit for tat.

The natural response is the firm but fair stance taken up by Barack Obama and the Bush administration – cognisant of the complex of blame in the Caucasus, but adamant that Russia not devastate Georgia without consequence. The alternative, typified by the anti-Russian caucus present within the McCain campaign and the American commentariat, is to romanticise Georgia and demonise Russia out of all proportion – not so dreadful, as election-year shenanigans go, but for the most imprudent and destructive policy that must follow upon it.
>>>snip>>>>>>>

Read the full peice here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/11/georgia.russia1?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews

[Nite Owl]

1. Very good article

thanks. I have been so busy this past week I haven't had time to read up on what was really happening and knew that there was more than what was being reported.

[Bluerthanblue]

2. thanks- I can't accept any American news media's

take on anything as unbiased anymore.

I'm pleased that Obama is showing the wisdom that McCain only wishes he had. Experience doesn't = wisdom.

There are many foolish 'experienced' people, and more than a few 'wise' relatively 'inexperienced' people I've come to believe. The ability to look at all aspects of an experience, and judge carefully rather than acting on impulse and in anger is essential for those who seek to be 'wise'- IMO-

Age doesn't factor in as much as McCain would like people to think.


:hi: