EDITORIAL: Russian aggression

Author don't command facts. 1. Russia was internationally recognized peacekeeper. So it had right to maintain military presence in S. Ossetia. 2. until 2002 any person in post-USSR can claim Russian citizenship including S.Ossetia. While Russia clearly welcomed S.Ossetia to obtain passports it was not something unusual. 3. Georgia started this campaign overrunning Russian peacekeeper (killing 15-30). 4. Georgia were using heavy weapons against city (artillery and rocket) killing ~ 1400 civilians. Very strange way to encourage people to comeback under Georgia rule. 5. Russia has clear aim to demolish Georgia military capability. Killing 1400 people in 8 hours... May be it is not ethnic cleansing but it not a right way to conduct war in city. 6. Nobody needs neither Georgia nor Ossetia. They both are extrimly poor. US has every reason to balance russian interests in Caucasian region. But Russia has every reason to counterbalance. Looks both don't care about Georgia. So does Georgia president who provoked Russian retaliation.

Leave this whole matter to the Russians, it's their backyard. Georgia has no value to us whatsoever and never had control of South Ossetia in the first place. Must we really stick our nose into everyone's business?

South Ossetia: The War has Begun! http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0808/S00117.htm Georgian forces are acting with extreme ferocity. A total devastation of the Tskhinvali downtown which came under Grad missile, artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire has been reported. Dozens of blasts shatter the city every minute. Tens of armored vehicles and thousands of soldiers moved into the conflict zone. Russian Peacekeeping Force Deputy Commander V. Ivanov said that the positions of the peacekeepers were not directly targeted or hit and that they continue to watch the situation in the region. However, the Ossetian side and Russian journalists say that the peacekeepers' headquarters came under fire........... Is Moscow capable to learn at least anything from the recent past? In 1995, the UN «peacekeepers» opened the way for the Croatian army which was killing Serbs, and these days we see Russian and Ossetian peacekeepers helplessly watch the Georgian artillery hammer residential quarters in Tskhinvali. In the Caucasus, the consequences of such helplessness are going to be catastrophic — there will be no respect for the weak country unable to normalize the situation at its border and to protect its citizens.

I thought that the pasty faced drunks, of Russia, were AGAINST "breakaway republics"? Wasn't that what the whole CHECHNYA thing was all about? If I were anybody living next door to these guys, I would be arming myself to the teeth.

Some very good comments here. Poor Russia, always misunderstood, always intending to do the right thing, always concerned that the rights of the population be respected and protected. How can such good will as is being demonstrated be so misconstrued? Let us hope, no, let us pray that Poland, or Estonia, or even the Ukraine does not attract the attention of the jaundiced eye of Valdi. But if they should, why should we care? Its not like those people or their freedom have any value with us...right? After all it is so far away from our cozy existence.

When the Russian tanks start moving 'west' towards Brussels, perhaps the liberal sell-out artists might begin to get just a little concerned, eh? Not to worry, the LIBS will figure out how to surrender ALL of Europe to the Russians, and all without any bloodshed, and in sufficient time so that the coronation of NOBAMA can continue as planned.

Where Russian's live in Georgia is an excuse for Russia to claim land of a sovereign nations territory? Russian's belong in Russia. Similar type claims could happen here in our country if we don't get rid of illegal aliens. It's also a reminder of the stupid move Bill Clinton made when he gutted our military. Russia could make more absurd territory claims and go all the way to Berlin. NATO is not in a position to do much about it.

Well let's make it simple. The United States and Nato can't do anything to stop Russia. All this talk about diplomacy is useless. Russia will regain it's former glory and will exist as a world power again. And you know whats funny Russia is doing just like Iraq did in 1991 taking over Kuwait and now u see the United States won't do anything cause they know Russia is still a powerhouse. There needs to be balance in the world and I don't mind russia taking back its power and glory. Go Russia!!!

Komrade Star....Please take next flight home to Moscow...Your thoughts are amazing as I was standing against these Commie a-#### in the seventies..You must have been studying at Berkely? Balance you say? We are the good guys, Except for you!

Mr. Spearhead how are we the good guys? We invade countries on no reason such as Iraq and afghanastan on no actual facts and trying to chase a ghost bin laden while killing innocent civilians. And we are so good. We killed all the indians and had black slaves to form a so called America and you say we are good? Heres the thing the world knows we are just as bad as they are and now it's time to witness what we are....And if outside forces won't destroy America check on those illegals they are in your back yard...

Very serious, deliberate confrontation testing U.S. resolve. Risk is low if Bush unmistakably demands Russian withdrawal and moves military forces to back up his demand. With or without 'allies' cooperation. Mr. Bush must also jerk our State into line, and just fire some top people well known to mis-represent Presidential policy. Fire Dr. Rice, too, if she can't keep order. Putin thinks we will not lay it on the line for such a small, far away ally. The same thing works in reverse; he will not go to war over a small, next door piece of real estate. But he will bide his time waiting for the next president's strength. Remember Hitler's demand for the Sudetenland. England, France and others agreed, and we got more of the same with WW II.

Putin has one objective, dismantle NATO and build a Russo-European Security Coalition. He has several forces in motion to do this. If he can set those forces to threaten global energy supplies while he uses his energy independence to intimidate Europe out of NATO. If you block the Straits of Hormuz and cut off a large amount of imported oil to Europe and the U.S., Europe will be much more open to energy intimidation. How do you do this? You backdoor nuclear technology to Iran and act to delay any actions in their nuclear weapons development. This threatens not just the Straits of Hormuz but the entire Gulf region. As a bonus, you provide confidence building weapons systems to Iran's partner, Venezuela. Then you provoke Israel with threats about Georgia and Israels weapons deals and the fact that you will sell sophisticated anti-air weapons systems to Iran. That way if Israel does neutralize Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities when you want, the Straits will be threatened and as a bonus, Venezuela will cut oil to the U.S. With the Democrats in the U.S. Congress obstructing any additional energy supplies (drilling) the U.S. will be scrambling for energy and unable to assist Europe. If Israel doesn't attack, Iran will be the dominant force and Russia can enhance their relationship. Russia has turned up the heat and the frog is letting itself boil without a single attempt to jump out of the pot.

Lets not forget control of the BTC pipeline.

http://www.StopRussianAggression.com Politicians can trick us into believing anything - and every so often they tell directly opposite things simultaneously. But what ordinary people think about that ongoing war in Russia? Currently, pro-Russia party is winning big time.