Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

[yerazhishda]

Re: Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

New Georgia clashes mar UN moves

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7555359.stm

Russian-backed rebels in Abkhazia say they have begun an operation against Georgian forces, as UN moves to achieve a ceasefire failed to make progress.

The rebels say they are trying to push Georgian forces from a strategic gorge in the west of the breakaway province.

France's president is visiting Russia and Georgia on Tuesday, despite Russian criticism of a new draft UN resolution.

In Georgia, troops have withdrawn to positions around the capital, Tbilisi, to defend against any Russian assault.

Reports say that Russian troops now control many key bridges and roads across Georgia, leaving the capital isolated.
Many residents have been stocking up with food and fuel, and correspondents in Tbilisi say there have been clear signs of panic and confusion in the city.

US President George W Bush meanwhile has strongly attacked what he called Russia's "invasion".

Mr Bush said the Russian actions in Abkhazia and the other breakaway province of South Ossetia were "unacceptable in the 21st Century" and that Moscow was guilty of a "dramatic and brutal escalation".

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Let's face facts: Georgia is gasping for air right now. Why would the Russians send this amount of force into Georgia if they didn't plan to take the capital? Moscow is making the right move in rejecting these bullxxxx western treaties/cease-fires and should accept nothing less than unconditional surrender from Georgia.

[Federate]

Re: Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

August 12, 2008, 9:54
Abkhazia launches major military operation in Kodori Gorge

Abkhazian troops have started an operation to squeeze Georgian troops out of Kodori Gorge. The information was confirmed by the Georgian Defence Ministry, which said the operation was launched at 0600 Moscow time on Tuesday.

Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba said that, before Tuesday, the Abkhazian Air Force and artillery had been delivering missile and bomb strikes on military targets in the upper part of the Kodori Gorge. Units of regular troops and reservists of the armed forces of Abkhazia are taking part in the operation on Tuesday.

On August 10, Abkhazian President Sergey Bagapsh announced partial mobilisation on the territory of the whole republic - and imposed martial law in the eastern part of Abkhazia for a period of 10 days.

Shamba said that the time given to the Georgian side for the voluntary pulling out of the gorge expired on Tuesday morning.

In July 2006, Georgia deployed its military units in this part of Abkhazia and created a military foothold there.

Meanwhile, Russian peacekeepers and Abkhazian forces have organised a humanitarian corridor in the Gali district on the Georgian-Abkhazian border.

“Georgian troops are fully blocked in the upper part of Abkhazia's Kodori Gorge,” said Mirab Kishmaria, Abkhazia’s Defence Minister. “We offer a humanitarian corridor for all of them to leave. If the Georgians don't use this opportunity, an operation for their elimination will begin.”

The Georgian residents from neighbouring areas are invited to a special refugee centre in the town of Gali.

But for the moment Georgian troops have closed the humanitarian corridor.

From http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/28866

[Federate]

Re: Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

Russia cuts sea links with Georgia
By Indo-Asian News Service on Monday, August 11, 2008

Sea links between Georgia’s Black Sea port of Batumi and Russia’s Sochi port have been cut, the deputy head of the Russian Black Sea port said Monday.

“We have temporarily suspended sea links with the port of Batumi. According to the information at our disposal, the port of Batumi is closed,” Simon Mamaladze said.

Moscow’s action came in the wake of hostilities between Russian and Georgian armies after Tbilisi ordered its troops into Russian-backed separatist province of South Ossetia.

An estimated 2,000 civilians have since died in south Ossetian capital Tskhinvali and 34,000 reported to have fled into Russia.

Russia also suspended Monday postal communication with Georgia.

“Currently letters and parcels to Georgia are not being accepted due to a suspension in air links,” Yelena Laskina, a spokesperson for the Russian communications ministry said, adding the suspension was also affecting money transfers between the two countries.

Russia’s transport ministry said earlier that air links with Georgia, had been suspended from Aug 9.

From http://www.freshnews.in/russia-cuts-...-georgia-48946

[Federate]

Re: Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

Russia slams French resolution urging Georgia peace.

http://www.canada.com/globaltv/bc/story.html?id=bb939ac8-a8a1-4c7c-98ea-7893020e8f26

[Merv]

Re: Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

I must say, I was watching BBC earlier and they have a segment called HARDTALK where a reporter debates/interviews a guest and today's guest was the parliament speaker of Georgia (via video) and the BBC guy clearly had a pro-Russian stance...well for a BBC guy. He accused Georgia of being foolish, of instigating the war, of indiscriminately bombing Ossetia, of challenging the fact that Russians are bombing Georgia to the scale it is being said by Georgians, of massive Georgian exaggerations and so-on. It was pretty surprising but it was also a relief to see.

This is the first time on a BBC talking point on an issue like this that you can see a significant number of Western voices dissenting from the "party line." One decade ago, such views were almost impossible to find when it comes to issues concerning Russia. The Brits are highly Russophobic, possibly even more than the average American. But people have become rather jaded since then (particularly due to Iraq) and are increasingly realizing the extent of media manipulation going on. Of course, the majority are still duped.

[Merv]

Re: Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/08/12/georgia/

"There was so much blood spilled"

A Russian invasion has left besieged Georgians angry at their government -- and at the once supportive Bush administration -- for failing to intervene.

By John Hudson and Nana Naskidashvili

Aug. 12, 2008 | Vaso Chlukhadze, 25, is one of hundreds of war refugees gathered outside the mayor's office in Tbilisi, Georgia. Chlukhadze has been waiting two days for a place to sleep. He fled South Ossetia after being forced from his home by Russian air raids. War has quickly escalated in this region since late last week, with Georgia agitating for greater control of disputed territory in the Caucasus, and Russia going aggressively on the attack with war planes, tanks and troops. Like many here directly in the middle of it and suffering the consequences, Chlukhadze blames Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili for the violence that left his family homeless.

"The [Georgian] government wasn't right. If they don't have enough force they shouldn't behave like this," he said.

If Vladimir Putin's aim is regime change in Georgia, as American officials claim, it may already be working. Many of the weary-eyed refugees were too angry to speak to journalists. But they are bitterly angry with their government. "Kill Saakashvili," a few hissed.

Four days into the conflict, the consequences of war are spreading quickly. In Tbilisi, refugees stand pleading outside government buildings, begging for food and shelter. Residents wake at night to the sound of bombs. Wounded soldiers flood Tbilisi hospitals. Doubts about the government's integrity are rising.

Indeed, the violence and chaos are eroding support for a president who was already waning in popularity. There still appears to be an urge among a majority here to rally around the government and the country. It makes sense: They are at war and now are being occupied, with the Russian takeover of several Georgian cities. But with the rising deaths and number of refugees, negative sentiment towards Saakashvili appears to be greater than ever before.

At a hospital in Tbilisi hundreds of soldiers are recovering. Some complained of a lack of food and water, and poor planning in the field. At times, they weren't sure who the enemy was. Twenty-two-year-old Vaja Lanchava lies limp in his bed. His bloody limbs shrouded in gauze, he says, in broken whispers, that the Georgian fighters never had a chance against the Russians.

"There was so much blood spilled and for what outcome?" said Lasha Lanchava, the soldier's older brother. "He fought and was wounded for what result?"

There is also great anger here at the West. The sense is that Europe won't intervene, because of dependency on Russian gas and oil. And many feel betrayed by America, especially with the Bush administration having been a vocal supporter of independent Georgia. "As for now, I have no faith in the European Union or the United States," says Giorge Abesadze, 25, a resident of Tbilisi. "I only have faith in myself, Georgia and the Georgian people. Georgians have always been alone in the world."

A few say America is MIA because it's fighting the wrong war in Iraq. "Things shouldn't have turned out like this," says Gia Jibladze, 48, a poet. "Do you think we can depend on America's help? Of course we can't." Uncertainty and fear are palpable: "How long can Tbilisi stand?" Jibladze added.

What started as a battle to regain control of South Ossetia – a tiny breakaway region backed by Russia -- quickly escalated into what appears to be all-out war. The Russians' retaliation was far more ferocious than anyone expected. Russian forces have bombed a key port, blocked supplies from entering the country and taken control deep inside Georgian territory.

Temur Iakobashvili, minister of reintegration issues, said Russia has been planning the attack for a long time. "Russia dragged us into this war." But some Georgians affected by the fighting also blame poor leadership.

"We have an idiot president," said Marika, 40, a physician, who wouldn't disclose her surname. "He ruined our country and that's his idiotic politics." She said her co-workers have no idea if their relatives in South Ossetia are dead or alive.

Outside the mayor's office, 18-year-old Diana Khetaguri described the bombings in South Ossetia. "I felt like the bomb fell right on our house," she said. "It had this horrible light -- it lit up everything."

Khetaguri's house was destroyed on Friday. Her black leather sandals revealed pink toenails caked with dirt. She and her family fled to a nearby village that was also destroyed by Russian air raids. With no money and no possessions, she waits to register for shelter. Choking back tears, she lamented the state of her country. "Nearly everyone can see what kind of government we have," she said. "They shouldn't have let this happen."

Still, the Russian attacks on Georgian soil have also rallied nationalistic support around Georgia's wartime government. On Sunday afternoon cars cruised through the streets of Tbilisi streaming Georgian flags. Citizens in red and white face paint, the colors of Georgia's flag, carried signs reading "Stop Russian Aggression" at a demonstration in front of the Russian embassy.

"I'm supporting Saakashvili in his decision with all my soul, flesh and blood," said Lasha Geladze-Mamukadze. "Real Georgians feel exactly the same."

As the shirtless 26-year-old waved his Georgian flag alongside a group of demonstrators, they cheered and sang national songs.

But refugees, having lost everything, are complaining of government shelters with shattered glass on the floor, no toilets or running water. "Even if they win, what are they going to tell the mothers of dead soldiers?" asked Chlukhadze. "Their dead bodies are sprawled on top of each other."

[Federate]

Re: Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

I must say, I was watching BBC earlier and they have a segment called HARDTALK where a reporter debates/interviews a guest and today's guest was the parliament speaker of Georgia (via video) and the BBC guy clearly had a pro-Russian stance...well for a BBC guy. He accused Georgia of being foolish, of instigating the war, of indiscriminately bombing Ossetia, of challenging the fact that Russians are bombing Georgia to the scale it is being said by Georgians, of massive Georgian exaggerations and so-on. It was pretty surprising but it was also a relief to see.

[Federate]

Re: Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

Hmm...

[Armanen]

Re: Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

Situations like this one is why it's almost impossible to be an Armenian in the Diaspora. Which side should the Armenians choose, to defend the land of their birth or to help their ancestral nation and help Russia?

Unlike other Diasporan communities, Armenians of Javakh are just as much part of Armenia as those in Yerevan or Gyumri. Javakh was an Armenian territory before being given to the georgians and it will come back to Armenia again.

[Merv]

Re: Georgian-South Ossetian conflict

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_RqK_tpkBU

Depleted uranium, napalm, white phosphorus, agent orange, cluster bombs...advanced technology of atrocity.