Say what you will about Vladimir Putin, the man certainly has chutzpah. As his
forces drove further into Georgia yesterday across the border from the
province of South Ossetia, the Russian Prime Minister lashed out at the US
for helping Tbilisi in the escalating war.
In a speech to Russian officials Mr Putin condemned the US for facilitating
the emergency transfer home of some of Georgia’s 2000 troops serving
alongside Americans in Iraq.
"It is a shame that some of our partners are not helping us but,
essentially, are hindering us," Mr Putin said.
For Georgians, the accusation that the US was assisting them in their struggle
must have added cruel insult to mounting injury. Despite years of efforts by
Mikheil Saakashvili to cement relations between his country and the distant
Superpower, despite Georgia’s strenuous moves to push for Nato membership,
and despite the courageous efforts of Georgian forces in supporting the US
invasion of Iraq, the sum total of actual American assistance to the
beleaguered former Soviet state in the last few days has amounted to a few
verbal protests against the Russian action.
Last night President Bush stepped up the rhetoric in remarks from the Rose
Garden at the White House. But it's not really clear what more, beyond
words, the US can do.
It is not going to risk a full scale military or even diplomatic confrontation
with an increasingly assertive Moscow over the fate of a province in the
Caucasus most of whose 70,000 inhabitants would prefer to be under Russian
sovereignty anyway. And while there is real dismay in Washington about the
bold Russian actions of the last few days there is also a sense of
irritation, even among some of Georgia’s friends, that Mr Saakashvili may
have brought some of this mess on himself by deliberately provocative
actions in South Ossetia, perhaps in part to test the strength of US
resolve.
More importantly, the crisis underscores a deep ambivalence within the US
foreign policy establishment in its relations with Moscow, one that is
reflected in the election campaign to succeed President Bush. It is an
ambivalence that Russia’s latest aggressive action might finally force to a
resolution.
Though the US has developed a good working relationship with Mr Saakashvili,
simple realpolitik has also demanded that it maintain a good relationship –
despite proliferating provocations – with Moscow. Much of the effort to stay
friends with Russia has stemmed directly from Mr Bush himself. The president
famously declared at his first meeting with Mr Putin in June 2001, that he
had “looked the man in the eye” and got a “sense of his soul.”
But even those in the administration who don’t share Mr Bush’s own sense of
spiritual communion with the Russian leader know that good relations with
Moscow are not an optional extra for Washington.
Rising energy prices have bolstered Russia’s clout in Europe and around the
world. What’s more, with the much bigger global knots the US is strenuously
trying to unravel, Russia has proved useful. Mr Bush rarely fails to praise
Russia for its apparent efforts to defuse the dispute over Iranian nuclear
capability by offering to provide nuclear reprocessing for Teheran.
Condoleezza Rice, the fluent Russian-speaking secretary of state, has worked
hard to keep Russia from directly undermining US diplomatic efforts
elsewhere.
At the same time, and especially for some of the hardliners in the
administration, there is a growing sense that, given the course Russia has
taken under Mr Putin – both with regard to domestic critics and with its
neighbours, continuing accommodation with Moscow will be impossible.
These people have been warning that the US has risked appeasing Russia’s
escalating bullying of its neighbours – Ukraine, as well as Georgia – and
that it was time for the US to get tougher.
It was striking that on Sunday, the often secretive Vice-President Cheney let
it be known that he had spoken with Mr Saakashvili and had said Russian
aggression “must not go unanswered”
It was Mr Cheney who caused a mini diplomatic incident two years ago when he
travelled to Lithuania to a conference of east European leaders critical of
Russia and accused Mr Putin of undermining democracy.
It’s unclear whether Mr Cheney will be able to deliver much on his promise to
Mr Saakashvili but it is at least likely that Russia’s actions in Georgia
will strengthen their hand
Much more important, however, given that Mr Bush and Mr Cheney have only five
more months left in office, is what the next administration does. Here the
difference among US foreign policy thinkers is out in the open.
If John McCain is elected, it is highly likely that the US will take a much
more aggressive line with Russia. Sen McCain has always been highly critical
of Mr Putin, even suggesting Russia should be expelled from the G8. Among
his most senior campaign staff have been some of Russia’s fiercest US
critics, including Randy Scheunemann, his chief foreign policy adviser, who
has worked in Washington over the last few years on behalf of some of the
former Soviet states who have been most intimidated by Russia.
Yesterday Mr McCain launched his most aggressive verbal assault yet on Moscow,
calling for the US to offer humanitarian assistance to Georgia and saying
Moscow should be brought before the “court of world public opinion”.
Campaign advisers clearly feel that Mr McCain is seizing the moment to display
his tough national security credentials in a way that will shift US voters
behind him.
Barack Obama meanwhile has been steadily upping his rhetoric after a rather
cautious initial response last week. In an election campaign that could
hinge on whether or not the Democrat is ready to take on the national
security obligations of the presidency it's evident that Sen Obama is trying
to demonstrate he can be as tough with the Russian Bear.
US relations with Russia seem to have deteriorated rapidly this week. The
really important question may be whether the US can bring Europe along with
it.
Let's be honest: the US is not ambivalent. It knows exactly what it wants to achieve in Russia's backyard &, that is
a) the control of resources there & its strategic infrastructure & b) a weakened Russia.
It does so by provoking Russia.
ian cheese, london, uk
Russia is trying to prove something. They handed out citizenships to people in GEORGIAN provinces (S. Ossetia and Abkhazia). That is different from what the Irish do for UK citizens in N. Ireland - Ireland and the UK aren't going to attack one another, while Russia and Georgia aren't quite friends.
Francis, Greenwich, CT, USA
Mikhail Saakashvili is a good man who cleaned up his country and made it prosper. He firmly believes in the nobility of freedom. He is a courageous leader who was comforting his people in the streets as the city of Tbilisi was bombed.
Francis, Greenwich, CT, USA
The whole push for international action is nice, but in the meantime Georgia has been overrun by the Russians, who were supposedly only fighting over two little border provinces. Clearly Russia wants to flex its muscles. How can the US be blamed for supporting its allies?
Francis, Greenwich, CT, USA
I still think the US should help the Georgians more.
Francis, Greenwich, CT, USA
As an American, I have to wonder just what dog we have in that fight. Also, after what we've done to Iraq and its people, I'm not sure America is in any position to throw stones. Frankly, it's America's inability to mind its own business that has cost us trilliions of dollars and countless lives.
Kim, Charleston WV, USA
So basically Georgia attacked and killed 1500 civilians and peacekeeping force. Got pushed back by Russian forces and suddenly Russia is in the wrong? Phrase it as you may, it does not make sense; not that it really needs to, we live in an age where the biggest fist, not logic, wins.
Art, Sydney, Australia
So.... When a country who is providing peace keeping forces in a country where a cease fire was signed in 1994, is fired upon, loses peace keepers, and watches as the aggressor completely and utterly violates any prior agreement..... Russia should do nothing? I think not, RUSSIA IS IN THE RIGHT.
Sean, Virginia, USA
As for me, I do not understand why you tell about only just a russian aggression. And nothing about analysing of Georgia actions. It is injustice especially in the XXI century!!!! The times of COLD WAR had been finished for all coutries in the world! And for Russia too.
Vladimir, Saratov, Russian Federasion
This article forgot to mention that we transported Georgia's troops from Iraq into Tblisi.
Tom, Gainesville,
I have a feeling the US will only initiate military involvement if the Russians take control of the pipelines and completely halt the passage to Europe...and that is still unlikely.
Hopefully it all ends soon to avoid that day and attempt to maintain normalcy between the United States and Russia.
Neil, St. Louis, MO, United States
Saakashvilli destroyed Tskhinvali and up to ten villages in a few hours in he biginning of this war - so why should we let him kill many of our citizens? And who is a bully after this? I really astonished by western reaction. Georgian leader sacrifice Ossetians and Georgians just for illusive advant
Mo, Moscow,
I have always been very pro-Western and admired Western democracies. It has all gone in a couple of days... Look at CNN - its the same old Soviet Ministry of propaganda, or even worse, closer maybe to Noth Korean television,,, Russian are always to blame by Western media...
Dmitry , Moscow,
7th August. Night. GEORGIAN TROOPS KILLED OVER 2000 INNOCENT, sleeping CIVILIANS of S. OSETIA with mass destruction weapons - GRAD. Saakashvilli and all georgians responsible for this inhumanity will be judged by law. The whole world must punish these killers.
Igor Kuznetsov, St. Petersburg, Russia
To Nik in Philly,
They would laugh, much as I am doing at the sheer irrelevance of it. Sheesh.
chris, Phx, USA
.America condemns RUssia and Iraq..Afghanistan..is occupied!
Hypocracy has its limits!
Dr Msuya, Daa es salaam, Tanzania
You shouldn't fully trust breaking news from West, Georgia or Russia. 80% of it is propaganda or misrepresented information. Try to discover all opinions, rely only on really confirmed facts, use your common sense. Only then you may have relatively objective picture.
Good luck
Alex, Moscow,
"The US fleet should protect the ports and shipping.
Steph"
US and A, Should mind their own business.
James, London, UK
Stop fooling yourself and others! It's clearly West who has created this problem. Frankly, US and UK knows very well who are the culprits and mischief makers, shame!!
Bulava, Moscow, Russia
Its a fait accompli, lets leave it as is. The US is hamstrung militarily and economically, the Georgian leadership has proven it is not fit for office, and Russia is putting paid to 20 years of humiliations and degradations. The US brought this on themselves with Kosovo. We were asking for it. . .
Nick, New York, NY, USA
Europe will fold up like an accordion and get on it's knees and beg Russia not to punish them by cutting off energy supplies.
rasPutin, Dallas, USA
Always nice to see the US and its puppet states get one in the eye.
connor, Windlesham, Surrey
I love the comment "Mr Saakashvili may have brought some of this mess on himself by deliberately provocative actions in South Ossetia".
He launched a sneaky night attack, timed for the Olympic opening, on a defenceless city killing up to 2,000 people - mostly civilians, Some provocation!!!!
John, Toronto, Canada
Its funny for all the conflict in the area, Russian male life expectancy is 59, and Georgia is 67, you would have thought Putin and the oligarchy would have better things to spend their cash on than chest thumping,
Sean Morris, Sheffield, UK
I am an ethnical russian and was born in Grozny. I have lots of friends of caucasus nations. I do not understand why we are now speaking about each other as abouut enemies. I was really frustrated when lost connection wIth my friends in Tbilisi and happy when got to know that they are OK.
Dmitry, Moscow, Russia
Pasq, the Irish have since the early days of the Free State given (and still give) Irish citizenship and passports to UK citizens in Northern Ireland. Does that make Ireland an unreconstructed, fascist, imperialist country?
John, London, SE,
Dear Pasquale,
no it has not been missed, it has been ignored from many people..that the act of destabilising a country is passports being issued to its own citizens by another country
Putin planned all this and the georgian pres fell in it.
Anthony L, Chelmsford, UK
to Anna, Moscow, Russia
Yes, we all know how Russia defends its citizens...Chechnia
Anthony L, Chelmsford, UK
Sean Morris, Sheffield, UK
Bravo!!!!!
200% right on it, about time some sensible person to see through all this makirovska (deception).
Anthony L, Chelmsford, UK
well, it's really a European problem.
Tim, Raleigh,
"It`s really a pity that people all over the world used to consider Russia to be an ENEMY. Russian peacekeepers..."
Peacekeepers, who were occupying an area of a neighbouring country, in an area where the Sudetenrussians had been issued with Russian passports.
1938. Peace in our time.
Pekka, Helsinki, Finland
"Please watch Joe Mestas interview (http://www.russiatoday.com/en), a US citizen, who was in South Ossetia these days.
Alexander, Moscow, "
I have been watching /listening to the russian version too, and I believe that the Doctorate degree should be given to the russians involved.
Anthony L, Chelmsford, UK
"Start learning Russian...help the transition
Jim, Phoenix, AZ"
Yes mate, you should too if you read the comments by your own chap Steve. Disgusting. "Europeans lick the Russian boots" to get the oil...see ex German Chancellor Schroeder.
Well, you know what to expect from now on.
Anthony L, Chelmsford, UK
Jim, from Phoenix AZ, Saakashvili is 'your' creation in the first place; US made him, US tried to push him into NATO, US made him believe he could afford messing around with mean old Ivan.
Another Neocon fantasy going down the drain; let's call in the Europeans and later put the blame on them ...
Nevs, Europe,
Guys...
Let's face the facts. After collapse of SU in 1991 Georgia elected to get independent. Part of their territory – South Ossetia elected not to.
Tudor , Moscow, Russia
They said – we either stay with Russia or become independent country but will never be in one country with Georgia (they had their historical reasons and fears but I have no time to discuss it atm). Georgia lunched an all out war trying to bring Ossetia back in.
Tudor , Moscow, Russia
A point seeming to have been missed: passports. How on earth 90% of Ossetian population (who’re not Russian) has got Russian citizenship? On which ground Russia granted citizenship en mass to a whole neighbouring region of a neighbouring country? Isn’t it the original “soft” act of aggression?
Pasq, Lecce, Italy
It`s really a pity that people all over the world used to consider Russia to be an ENEMY. Russian peacekeepers just tried to defend cititzens of that Ossetian town. Very many old people, women and children have suffered greatly from Georgian troops.
Anna, Moscow, Russia
Weak countries lash out, Dont be fooled by oil and gas, Russia is a weak country, demographics, crime, corruption, poverty, a rust bucket navy and a conscript army, they will pick fights they can win, easy ones. They are stuck in the zero sum game mentality of imperial Russia and socialism.
Sean Morris, Sheffield, UK
Georgians attacked Russian citizens and peacekeeping forces last Friday night in South Ossetia. Georgians killed hundreds of civilians and 15 Russian peacekeepers. Imagine all this happened not to Russian people but to Americans. What would be your reaction to this?
Vladimir, Moscow, Russia
Dear all, please consider facts of the night 8 August, not political propaganda, not just reading and listening reports written and prepared in London and New York offices. Please watch Joe Mestas interview (http://www.russiatoday.com/en), a US citizen, who was in South Ossetia these days.
Alexander, Moscow,
I think that our country is only supporting this small country because it will get our voters back on the Republican side. This will also strengthen the Bush administration's resolve on Iran by taking away Russia's integrity so that they can attack Iran.
Steve, Oregon, USA
Does anyone in Western media care about the lives of South Ossetians? I have not seen a single report of the hundreds of civilian casualties as a result of the viscious Georgian attack. I have not seen any interviews with the Ossetian victims. Where is independent journalism?
Konstantin, Dallas, USA
So I feel bad for Russia and I think Georgia is a puppet. My biggest concern is the lack of good American media coverage. It is all tied up at the Olympics. Nobody here knows where Georgia is or understands it. The American public is under informed and I would appreciate it if any Russian readers try
Steve, Oregon, USA
to understand this. I am sorry about how my country is working at this and apologize for them not understanding the situation. But think about it, why else would we not do anything and make Russia look like the aggressor. Because Russia is in support of Iran. China wont be able to do anything withou
Steve, Oregon, USA
Invasion in independent countries on the plea of defending the principles of democracy - is it ok for US? Did they consider what was going on in Iraq, Afghanistan their own domestic affairs? Was killing Ossetian civilians Georgia's domestic affair? Here's the real US ambivalence. Double standards.
Irek, Moscow, Russia
anything about it without looking bad as well. This situation is the beginning of the next world war, or the biggest political scandal in the world. This does not bode well.
Steve, Oregon, USA
In www there is a full clip of his falling. We really laughed.
where were no Russians around. Hi was frightened of his own guns (distant!) and has escaped like a ...).
Security guards have hardly caught him up. I can tell I'm proud, that my president so himself would never lead.
Yana, Moscow, Russia
"
The US fleet should protect the ports and shipping.
Steph"
Dear Steph, your ships cant enter to the black sea.... sorry .Because of geographic reasons.
Alexander, Moscow, Russia
Now were have the 'American view'. Not a single word of Georgia treacherously launching an Olympic night attack on a city full of Russian civilians. Some chutzpah, indeed. How about a 'Russian view' article?
Anatoly, Moscow,
I remember the propaganda in USSR, the same kind of it I can see in USA. All this talking about oil, small country... That small country just wanted to clean up the territory of another even smaller nation. By using Grad - FYI it cannot hit thу mark - it just burns out the area. Thzinvalli.
Konstantin, Moscow, Russia
If mexico wants to reclaim new mexico. Or even better, the republic of texas which seceded from mexico. How would american response be viewed. Please answer this theoretical question in conquest, not claim its a different scenario, because the scenario is ofcourse different. Be honest.
Alex, Portland, Oregon
My, my. Europeans letting it happen all over again. How consistent you are. Let them have Georgia and all will be well, peace and happiness for all of Europe…except the Georgians. The Neville Chamberlain School of political and humanitarian ethics.
Start learning Russian...help the transition
Jim, Phoenix, AZ
Perhaps NATO should begin supplying resources (energy, water, food, anything really) to Georgia and other states surrounding Russia in much the same way they did to West Berlin when Stalin cut it off.
Cut Russia out of the equation, at any cost, until they stop behaving like a regional bully.
Jon, Hong Kong,
"Revenge best served cold".For sometime,Putin protested Nato's intention on building an anti ballistic missile defence system on Russia'doorsteps.It was a repeat of the Cuban missiles crisis allover again.This Russian campaign in Georgia will serve as a lesson and a message to Nato, and the West .
Sam, Dallas, USA
Fooled and "brainwashed" American people! I wish you to open your eyes one day and, finally, get a SMART guy to be a president. That is for sure: every nation deserves it's leader!
Elena, Portland, US
Putin has completely over-played his hand; yes, we can't stop his aggression in Georgia with military assistance. So in the short term, he wins.
But this action has changed Russian relations with the West; NATO membership will be given to Georgia and Ukraine to counter this return to autocracy.
TJ, Lansing, United States
Putin, Ahmadinejad, Chavez... the whole problem in the Middle East... all of them oil satraps. Do we need further proof of the urge to do away with oil as a strategic resource once and for all? We need massive funds invested in research for new sources of energy
Maximilien, Granada, Spain
Even without Iraq and Afghanistan going on, it's ridiculous to think the US would get into a military conflict with Russia over Georgia.
But Russia will probably come to regret this anyway. You'd think they'd learn. Or maybe they just enjoy endless insurgencies and guerrilla wars!
gb, Austin, USA
Cowards
Jim, Phoenix, AZ
Very clever Russians who know that with Iraq - Afghanistan - Iran the USA and EU are powerless to do anything .Stupid Georgians to think for a moment that the USA or the useless EU would suport them. Russia was waiting for an excuse to disrupt the new Azeri pipelines and export ports and here it is.
Peter Mitchell, Rome, Italy
Saakashvili was probably prompted by Cheney to go ahead and try to stir up the Russian bear. Little did they realise the bear is angry, real angry and would bite real hard. Now all Cheney can do is issue statements. Note that in greater scheme of US politics, Cheney is the de facto president...
John Taylor, London,
Russia our friend? With friends like this, we don't need enemies. Europe should already be moving into action to stop the Russians. Air cover and true peace keeper forces should be on the road and in the air to move the Russian troops out. The US fleet should protect the ports and shipping.
Stephen, houston, usa
Too much made about a rising Russia? It's recent resurgence is directly tied to rising revenues from oil and gas ( finite and rapidly depleting resources); Russia needs Western technology. The Soviet Union collapsed when the price of oil sank in the late 80,s early 90's and revenues plummeted.
Brian Musah, Hertford, UK
What do you think the U.S. would do if Russia starts building a missile defence shield in Mexico and Cuba? As for Georgia, Saakasvhili just made the biggest mistake in his life by attacking S. Ossetia with heavy rocket and artillery fire. Many times Russia has been the aggressor, but not this time.
Nik, Philadelphia, USA
America ought to reveal the doomsday computer tape they plan to run through all of their ICBM sites and ICBM subs in the event of being over-run in time of conflict with Russia that would destroy all life on earth?
It might keep Russia and China forever at bay.
gibo, Sydney, Australia
Anyone who still thinks Condi Rice is fluent in Russian has been had. I'd like to hear her string two Russian words together. Journalists have been repeating her fluency claim since Bush was first elected. I had a year of physics in high school... perhaps I should add "physicist" to my resume?
Marek, Moscow, Russia
Its typical to blame the US first. What about EU's commitment to Georgia and ability to express a common stance? The EU should condemn Russia ASAP - and decide on appropriate responses to this violation of international law. To invade a sovereign country must be stopped or Ukraine will be next
Peter Hansen, Copenhagen, Denmark
It's all rather regrettable, but I'm sure it will all work out nicely in the end, although I think Georgia will have to replace its president, first.
Mike, Brighton, England
When did we have Cold War II?
chris, snohomish, usa
Why should what the US does be a surprise? They have a history of formenting dissent then doing nothing to help the following violence. Just look at what they did to the southern iraqis after the first gulf war.
keith, HK,
US should not be telling everyone in the world what to do. There are OTHER countries who deserve power and say. Russia and Georgia have much more history. They coexisted side-by-side for centuries. It is the Russia-Georgia war. US - leave everyone alone! No one is threatening US right now!!
Anna, Chicago, USA
Vladimir Putin capitalises on US ambivalence...
And European incompetence.
Jon Fraud Carry, Washington, DC, US
I love reading the European papers because no matter what happens in the world, it's America's fault. And the best part is you never hear one drop of gratitude for the Marshall Plan or the nuclear umbrella which protected Europe from the Soviets for 50 years. Your welcome.
Jim Silberman, New York City, USA
Russia invaded Hungary and bombed Budapest in '56 and hanged the ENTIRE legitimate government. Their pretext was then "the protection of the achievements of Socialism". Prague was invaded under the same pretext in '68.
Time for the Requiem for the next victims on the path of the Russian beast.
Thomas W., New Orleans, USA
Give me a break, what Putin said last week was because the U.S. continues with its plan for this preposterous "missile defence shield". A shield from who? Iran? Yeah, right. For all its flamboyance I doubt Iran can even threaten Israel. The missile shield is a direct threat to Russia's nuclear deter
Nik, Philadelphia, USA
Don't you get the fealing that this could be the run up to Cold War III
David Ord, Lincoln, UK
Whatever gave Putin the idea that we are still his partners? Last year he said that Russia was developing new and improved nuclear missiles and other delivery systems to use on the US and Europe to try to frighten us away from putting ABMs in Poland and the Czech Republic. What a jerk.
Rodger Young, Denver, Colorado, USA