Nato
searches for a strategy | Medvedev:
we will crush you
Nato united in the face of Russia’s failure to withdraw from Georgia
yesterday, freezing regular contacts with Moscow and declaring that there
could be “no business as usual under present circumstances”.
However, there will be no Nato troops rushing to Tbilisi to put military
muscle behind the tough statement, which was issued at an emergency meeting
of the 26 foreign ministers of the alliance in Brussels. Military assistance
will be restricted to training exercises and talks about prospective
membership of the alliance.
When David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, met President Saakashvili of
Georgia in Tbilisi, he emphasised that he was talking politically when he
said that “Nato will defend the territorial integrity of Georgia”. He said
that he was referring to the defence of international law.
The Nato statement triggered a furious response from Moscow, leaving relations
between Russia and the West at their lowest point in years.
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, accused Nato of trying to save “a
criminal regime in Tbilisi” and “taking a path to the rearmament of the
current leaders in Georgia”. He claimed that Russian troops could be
withdrawn within three or four days. However, President Medvedev of Russia
said later that 500 troops would be left behind to “implement additional
security measures”.
Dimitri Rogozin, the Russian Ambassador to Nato, also dismissed the statement
of the alliance. “On the whole, all of these threats that have been raining
down on Russia turned out to be empty words,” he said.
Nato’s political support for Georgia did not go down well with Georgians
either. When Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the Secretary-General of Nato, announced
at the end of the meeting that the alliance was to set up a Nato/Georgia
Commission to arrange discussions with Tbilisi, a Georgian journalist asked:
“With Russian troops deep inside Georgia, murdering and raping its people,
what does this new Nato/Georgia Commission do for us?”
Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, said that Nato had an open-door
policy for membership and declared that Russia had no right to try to draw a
new line in Europe, preventing certain countries from opting for a
transatlantic future.
Under Article 5 of the Nato charter alliance troops are obliged to go to the
defence of another country under attack only if it is a full member.
The continuing presence of thousands of Russian troops, some only 30km (19
miles) from Tbilisi, convinced even the more cautious allies such as France
and Germany to demand a full Russian withdrawal.
Although the foreign ministers decided against scrapping the six-year-old
Nato-Russia Council, which has generated closer political and security ties
with Moscow, Mr Miliband said that there was no question of relations with
the Russians carrying on as normal. “I think we should still engage with the
Russians but in a hard-headed way, and we mustn’t allow the Russians to feel
they are the victims of this affair when they are the transgressors,” he
said.
British diplomatic sources said that Mr Miliband planned to use his 24-hour
visit to Georgia to see what the Russians had been doing since crossing into
the country after the ill-fated attempt by Mr Saakashvili to regain control
of South Ossetia, the pro-Russian breakaway region.
Dr Rice underlined the desire by Washington “not to isolate Russia”, but said
that the Russians had isolated themselves “when they invaded a small
neighbouring country” and started bombing, “wreaking havoc and causing
wanton destruction”.
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe sent the first of
about 100 ceasefire inspectors to the country yesterday after an appeal by
the Georgian leader for international monitors.
At the United Nations, Britain said last night that a British diplomat had
been stopped at a Russian checkpoint in Georgia and was told that he could
not proceed without a Russian visa. Officials said that the defence attaché
was stopped at the checkpoint in Natsreti on Monday.
Sir John Sawers, Britain’s UN envoy, asked his Russian counterpart across the
Security Council table: “Do foreigners now need Russian visas to travel
within Georgia?”
France circulated a new version of a proposed Security Council resolution that
would reaffirm Georgia’s “territorial integrity”. Russia said that it would
not support the draft.
Wester american propaganda- SO many misstakes and lies you could only find here.
Propaganda!!
Daniel, valparaiso, Chile
Whether Russia has the means to go on the imperial march once again is immaterial. The twin factors of national prestige and perceived NATO provocation are at play here. The US/West has valid interests in Poland and the Baltic, but beyond that frontier is Russia's world. Why make a new enemy?
Koevoet, Brisbane, Australia
"Yesterday rus peacekeepers disarmed some people near Gori who was Ukranians and 2 arabians in rus army uniform. What did they do in Gori?"
Really, this disinformation is getting more and more absurd.
Disinformation was what those gentlemen where trying to do...
Leonard, Sardinia,
However, the US people can elect a different president/administration. Not Russians!
-
Russians now CAN elect a different president administration (and if you think that USA electios have no tricks, one word: "jerrymaldering"...just for starting) . But no chance they elect Kasparov, very sorry...
Leonard, Sardinia,
I'am living in Denmark and i must say that it 'snot the Russian that i'am afraid of but USA. Bush must go over in history as the US President that has made most trouble in the World during his period as president. Why missile in poland and why Georgia in NATO? Please do something against USA...
Jacques, Copenhagen, Denmark
Finland's success convinced Hitler that the Red Army...>>>
Finland didn't succeed in the Winter War. In fact it was completely defeated. By the end of the war there were just about 200 Finnish policemen with pocket-pistols between Red Army and Helsinki and Finns had to provide what USSR asked for
Zloy Tugarin, Moscow, Russia
I can walk up to the white house lawn and yell "I hate Bush"
Does your Goverment allow this?>>>
Of course! You can freely walk up to the Kremlin wall and yell "I hate Bush" :)
Zloy Tugarin, Moscow, Russia
Puppet Rice and her imperialist US empire have no business to talk after the illegal invasion and oil occupation of Iraq.
Jeff A., London, UK
To Martin, Sydney, Australia
The grey zone where the answers lie: Russia has inspired and fueled ethnic conflicts in both Abkhazia and SOssetia, succeeded in ethnic cleansing there and lately distributed Russian passports to have an excuse for an open invasion. Grey enough, huh?
Nina, Tbilisi, Georgia
The infantile comments by most American posters is hilarious.
The average American citizen would struggle to point to Russia on a map, yet they regard them with contempt whilst trying to turn Europe into the battlefield for WW3.
Look behind you America, the enemy is there!
Pete, St Albans, England
2 ravi, Mumbai.
1600 and 2000 - that is how many dead bodies were found, the later the more. Then the process started in ossetia of documenting georgians' war crimes. 150 is how many documented by witnesses up to the moment. And do not forget that about 30000 ossetians moved into Russia.
Dmitri, Ryazan, Russia
Georgians bombed ossetian settlements, over 1500 killed - that was thу opening of war.
"Saakashvili destroyed georgian country integrity. After georgian genocide in ossetia, there is no way to persuade ossetians to remain in georgian state" - Putin said.
Agree? No need for NATO to persuade.
Dmitri, Ryazan, Russia
I have just read a BBC article where Russians claim the ossetia civilian death toll is 130-150 rather than 1,600.That is a significant drop in their estimates bringing into question whether 'ethnic cleasing' is the main reason for this whole mess.If GRADs r used, wouldnt civilian casualty be higher?
ravi, Mumbai, India
Since the 16th century the Russians have been eradicating everything non-Russian in order to protect Russians and their rights. USA used to do the same (Native Americans, etc.) and sometimes they do it even now. However, the US people can elect a different president/administration. Not Russians!
Pavlina Kupova, Prague, Czech Republic
USA has done horrible things in it's history.I know my grandma is cherokee Indian.But you must look at the whole picture.All of your country's have blood on thier hands
Native
Inuktitut
Cree
Aborigines
I can walk up to the white house lawn and yell "I hate Bush"
Does your Goverment allow this?
Tyler, Springfield, USA
If Mexico wanted to join the Russian Alliance would the USA allow that to happen remember Cuba, Its about control and the poor citizens get sacrificed , such is the way of the world
Tony Johal, London,
Thanks for showing us that there will be no "fare play" for Russia! It is better for us to be deprived of our romantic illusions relating to possibility of being friends with the US or EU. Now we know that the only chance for us to survive is to be strong! And we will be!
Olesya, Moscow, Russia
Russia responded brutally when Chechnya tried to break away from Russian Federation. Now Kremlin says Georgia is guilty party in trying to retain Ossetia and Abkhazia. Complete hypocrisy. Putin's imperialistic move fools no one except the naive and brainwashed leftist ideologues.
John, Detroit, USA
Why do USA want all countries around Russia to be in NATO? The only answer is that they are preparing for WW3. When oil in Iraq and other countries comes to the end, USA will start it. That is why they don't want Russia to be strong, that is why they try to isolate Russia. They are preparing.
Andrew, Perm, Russian Federation
'Russian engineering? Remember CHERNOBYL '
Neil, Sakhalin Island,
You are talking that probably expecting to be kicked out from Sahalin. Chernobyl is a result of Ukrainian way of exploitation.
Alexey, Moscow,
Yet again the West is left standing with its trousers down because we pull apart countries when it suits us and tell others not to when it doesn't. We really have become a pathetic bunch of hypocrites. We need a policy, and we need to stick with it for good and for bad.
Mike, Bristol, UK,
Ran, York - I thought the Chinese position was quite clear. Non-interference in the internal affairs of a foreign, sovereign state? Surely they must be very uncomfortable with Russia's actions. How would you feel if India or Nepal, with US aid, invaded Tibet?
David, Dublin,
"Yesterday rus peacekeepers disarmed some people near Gori who was Ukranians and 2 arabians in rus army uniform. What did they do in Gori?"
Perhaps they were wanting Russian passports?
Really, this disinformation is getting more and more absurd.
Boris, London,
1500died in Ossetia!US didn't stir a finger to stop Georgia!Someone had to stop massacre in Ossetia!How many people should have died to make the world wake up and stop georgian genocide in South Osseti?After Afganistan Kosovo Iraq Americans dare to accuse us of invasion!Unbelievable!Double standarts
Karina, Moscow, Russia
What happened in Osetia-Gergia - the exact copy what happened in Kosovo- Serbia. Why the World has double standarts concerning exactly the same situation. If they (osetians ) want independence pls give them like Europe gave it to Kosovians. Pls remember it happened not yesterday but 16 years ago
Alexlon, London, UK
US don't have strength even milirarily to deal with Russia. Russia has concured over and over Eastern and Western Europe - what did US military do - destroyed 1 mil. civilians in Iraq?..And then seat in military compounds and hide among chaos? Get real Americans.. and learn history please.
Sam, New York, USA
darren.London: 90% of the men landing on Normandy Beach were American (and there was no oil there). Holland was liberated by Americans (Montgomery claimed to be bogged down as an excuse and failed to do his duty). Russia claimed Eastern Europe and refused to leave until the end of the Cold War.
Douglas, Pittsburgh, USA
Over 3000 political activist are in jail here in the U.S. for speaking out, over 1 million on "terrorist" watch list, countless on a no fly list, internet and phones tapped. Russia is not the Soviet Union and Russia did not attack Georgia, they came to the rescue of a genocide.
Rick, Wallingford, United States
I think, Russia will also reconsider its relationship with Nato, especially on issues related to Iranian nuclear program. If the western countries are not interesting in receiving Russia's help on the war with terrorism, then obviously Russia would not insist on providing this help.
Ed, LA, USA
Just as the neo-Stalinist regime in the Kremlim have anticipated, NATO has shown itself to be a paper tiger. Putin and his running dogs can behave as they wish with impunity while the NATO bureaucracy dithers. God help us all when the last bastion of hope, the Bush administration, has gone this fall
Frank, London, UK
The center of economic and military power is moving to the East. America is not as great as americans would like to think.
USA should start sharing power with countries like China and Russia. Than we wont have endless bloody wars like in Afganistan and Iraq
Simon Croft, Slough, UK
Russia did not move into Georgia to protect Ossetians, they moved in to **punish** Georgians. THAT is what is getting Russia into deep trouble with the USA, and that is what will be seen as evidence that Russia has become an enemy of freedom. But, Russia is too afraid to declare war on US/NATO.
Britcom, Florida, USA
Most Westerners DO condemn the invasion of Iraq. That is our right in a democracy without fear of the midnight knock on the door or the rubber truncheons.
It cost Blair his job.
Does any Russian dare speak out against the invasion of Georgia? Not unless he wants a visit to the Gulags.
Boris, London, UK
I think the Euros should kick us out of NATO and get rid of all our American bases over in Europe.
The Euros will then have the moral high ground to face Russia, and let me tell you the Russians are of fraid of this.
When the cut off your gas and oil this winter, you can stare them to the core.
brentlabeau, logan, usa
Once again (for some readers): Who did kill about 2000 citizens (children, women, old men) in 8 Aug 2008 (Olimpics day)? Anwer is: Georgia troops (Saakashvili). Who did protect civilians in Sorth Ossetia? Russia's troops. Why does not anybody remember it?
And please teach History (not only USA)...
Constantine, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
What can the U.S. really say given the American invasion and continued occupation of Iraq, halfway around the world. An invasion that was far more disproportional than was the case of the Russian invasion of neighboring Georgia--remember "Shock and Awe"?
John, Fircrest, WA, U.S.
Russia has simply defended her people from Georgian attack. Miliband is a silly posturing kid. Europe depends utterly on Russian energy for survival. We are in Iraq illegally. Let's just get real here and see we have no leverage at all, moral or military, over Russia.
C Smith, Norwich, UK
God save the Queen....NATO won't.
Jim, Phoenix, AZ
If I was Russia Id be paranoid after Napoleon and Hitler..Poland too..partitions in late 18th century, Hitler and Stalin and being a satellite for years. Hitler also occupied the Crimea (now in Ukraine) and threatened the oil fields in Azerbajain..there must be a way for Nato and the Russians to look at the past, analyze it, but make peace for the future.
Joel, Miami, US
The invasion of Georgia is the classic diversion by our corrupt leadership to take our minds off rampant inflation caused by billionaire oligarchs stealing our GDP. They are no more than the bag men for the FSB and govenment ministers. For ordinary Russians it is very familiar.
Igor, Vladivostok,
S Osetia was administrative autonomy area in Soviet republic of Giorgia. When G decided to break of from the USSR, under the soviet law it was obliged to give this area the right to choose whether to be with G or to stay in USSR. Instead they abolished their status hence the war started there.
vladimir, moscow,
Iraq, Georgia, Afghanistan (both sides) & on & on.
Neither side has the moral high ground. It comes down to which set of values you support
USA, UK etc. & free democracy or
Russia & one party police state
All westerners criticising USA are free to move to Russia, I'll help you pack
Guy, London, UK
America is playing it's own game. It obviously wishes to take our attention from it's own doings by creating a new fild of tention near Europe. America is mind and heart of this conflict. And it's we who are going to suffer the most, because they're far and we are near! Why should we support them?
Eva, London, UK
Deane USA : 'we rebuild'
how convenient! you completely destroy a nation and killing innocent civilians on some trumped up pretext which you then revise when everyone knows you were lying and then award all rebuilding contracts without bids to halliburton and other big US corporations/lobbyists
James Outram, Subic, Philippines
I'm so glad that my country, along with Germany and France hasn't adopted an anti-russian stance. The equation of stability and security in Europe cannot exclude Russia. On the contrary, treating Russia as an enemy can only diminish our security.
Horace, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
why people in the west easily forget about the people who died in Ossetia? they argue about the number, but there are dead people there, somebody's parents and children!!! there are casualties in Georgia as well, and we all should remember this!
Anastasia, St. Petersburg,
Berwick Ian, ever since the Winter War against Finland the Russians have never picked a fight on anyone who could fight back.
Finland's success convinced Hitler that the Red Army wasn't what it was hyped up to be so he turned on his ally Stalin.
Boris, London,
Victor, The Hague, Netherlands says:
"Russia made brilliant comeback to the big scene"
Yes you could say that ...
Heavy armoured vehicles
Ground attack aircraft
Naval support vessels
to subdue and destroy a tiny neighbour country.
Brilliant ? - rather predictable Kremlinspeak.
Ian, Berwick, UK
Andrey,
This seems to be Russian policy ...
Anywhere you fancy, just say "it's in Russia" and it's yours.
Several years ago it worked but then the USSR fell apart.
Watch out, your militarism might fail you again.
Jacinda, London, UK
James, london
I don't see what's extremely funny about Iraq and Afghanistan. What is funny though is your suggestion about Russia being a superpower. The country is in serious decline as any form of power. The number two in the world is now China.
Boris, London,
Ivan, Kaliningrad is Russia. If you would be really from Minsk you would know this. In any case it seems US is willing to initiate the confrontation with Russia in Europe. "Separate and dominate" - very simple politics. It is especially effective in conditions of US slump.
Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA
After all, Russia made brilliant comeback to the big scene and sadly this is the only thing that really bothers US/NATO pals. Quick and brutal military response to Georgian invasion into S.Ossetia ruined all western illusions regarding “know-your-place” Russia and that pill is not easy to swallow.
Victor, The Hague, Netherlands
when Dr Rice says “when they invaded a small neighbouring country” and started bombing, “wreaking havoc and causing wanton destruction” its extremely funny as we all have to remember what is happening in Iraq and afghanistan. there should be two world powers not one to keep it balanced
james, london, uk
Russia tried to overthrow the democratic pro-western government in Georgia, as they did in 1992. This is their main objective, which they failed to achieve, it's why they are still there. But they will be eventually kicked out not only from Georgia, but also from Ukraine Belarus and even Kaliningrad
Ivan, Minsk, Belarus
Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA
I could say the same about Schroeder and the his finnish cleegue who have joined Gazprom as consultants. But the germans trust him ane believe him.
Anthony L, Chelmsford, UK
Responding to Davids comment. I wasn't at all for the fact Georgia launched an offense to start all this off, alot of these people have been given russian passports recently.They are pro russian, but not all russian. Russia are not protecting their people, but using them to protect regional interest
paul, Paris,
If history has taught us in the West anything it should be not to trust the Russians one iota. Those of you who wish to turn this on its head and castigate the US and Brits remember one thing- It was the security they provided that kept Europe free from communist dictatorship. Believe Russia? Ha!
Simon, Dublin, Ireland
Perhaps now is the time for Georgians to sit down and think really hard and make pragmatic choices about who you want as your friends and allies. There are two options: one is a neighbour who, when its friends are attacked, responds immediately with overwhelming military force, destroys the attacker's infrastructure and terrorises its people to such a degree that they will never initiate aggression again, or do you want far-away friends who roundly condemn the invasion of your country and hold a succession of meetings?
Andrew P, Wexford, Ireland
So Millibsnd says that all British people are behind Georgia? Well NOT me - my wife is russian, and I fully support Russia's actions in protecting its people. Milliband should talk to the victims of Saakashvili's invasion.Like the girlfriend of a russian peacekeeper killed there who came from Pskov.
David Fergus, Padiham, UK
All efforts to encircle Russia with American missiles may result in appearance of Russian missiles in Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, Belarus, Kaliningrad region of Russia. Nobody will be in safety. US pushes Europe to confrontation.
Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA
Once again (for some readers): Who did kill about 2000 citizens (children, women, old men) in 8 Aug 2008 (Olimpics day)? Anwer is: Georgia troops (Saakashvili). Who did protect civilians in Sorth Ossetia? Russia's troops. Why does not anybody remember it?
And please teach History (not only USA)...
Constantine, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
How badly I hate the anglosaxon way of thinkig. They normally see only white and black, but, believe me, there is a lot of different colours or at least a grey zone where all answers are hidden.
Martin, Sydney, Australia
Why do people constantly compare this to Iraq? We invaded Iraq to remove an evil dictator. The hundreds of thousands dead in Iraq were killed by their fellow Iraqis.
The Russians invaded a democratic nation after provoking it. The two are not the same, and the west has every right to intervene.
Nick, Leicester, UK
David, Dublin,
You want know how Chinese react on this? I have to say, more than 90% people are with Russia, Russia has nothing to be blamed, it is not a invasion as accused by US and UK. A 12 years old girl has been telling the truth happened there, you can search the vedio in youtube.com.
Chen, Beijing, China
All this U.S./NATO insistence that Russia immediately leave Georgia is unseemly to say the least. Do the Americans and British completely lack self-awareness, or rather integrity? How many days/years has it been since "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq, but no sign whatsoever of a withdrawl.
Alex, Toronto,
well, it would be better to send international peacekeepers to Georgia. Let him to view the real situation and how Saakashvilli helps to Georgians. Yesterday rus peacekeepers disarmed some people near Gori who was Ukranians and 2 arabians in rus army uniform. What did they do in Gori?
Sergei, Moscow, Russia
"Could The Times report on them?"
Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada
You cannot make a report on something that never existed. Referendums and genocide. There has been neither in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
They are illusions - like Medvedev as President.
Boris, London, UK
France, Germany and Greece are in hock to Russia so how can they oppose the latter's action in Georgia? I have recommended for some time now that we need a new military alliance to replace NATO. NATO has become the paradigmatic paper tiger and its secretary general an embarrassment.
Dr David Green, Athens, Greece
Well done Russia, someone needs to stand up to these tyrants in the UK and USA. If they don't we shall have no freedoms left in our now communist stazi states. Sad day when Russia has to stand up for peoples rights. The West has GONE BAD....
R McAuley, Antrim, UK
Sabatouge all Russian oil pipelines which is where all her new money is coming from
geo magn, ellicott city, USA
No need they are doing it themselves. They are kicking out the western experts leaving their drunken, incompetent compatriots in charge.
Russian engineering? Remember CHERNOBYL
Neil, Sakhalin Island,
Let's imagine that US president receives a salary from Moscow, his wife is citizen of Russia, Russian consultants are always with him and he is dying to join Russia. Will you like such a president? This is Saakasvili. He names Georgia an outpost of fighting of West against Russia. Do you need this?
Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA
Someone sais in his comments: "Russia can do what they want and no one will touch them". That is for sure! And it shoudl be this way. Russia is capable to protect it's right and people now. GOOD for Russia! Speaking about US and it's "puppets": every nation deserves it's leader.. too bad...
Smile, Ulyanovsk, Russia
George Bush, his defence forces & his allied troops can recklessly invade countries like Iraq, Afghanistan; UNO & NATO countries look the other way easily.Things will never improve with such a narrow-minded, biased & negative mindset adopted by NATO, US & UK. Keep up the double standards as usual.
Pushpa, Brisbane, Australia
Had to laugh at Rice earlier today saying that the Russians were doing acts of war against civilians and using banned weapons. I thought she was talking about Israel for a minute and then I remembered that the rules of war do not apply to Israel.
Lee Barnum, San Francisco, USA
According to the feedback from some Chinese websites and forums, I know the Chinese government and Chinese people are struggling to make a choice-whether we should support Russia or keep off? How to make a balance between Russia and the west?
Ran, York, UK
I would like to read more about the Ossetian and Abkhazian referendums that Nina, Falls Church, mentions.
Could The Times report on them?
Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada
Amsterdam?If you want to be specific i beleive it was the British who liberated Amsterdam, who Robbie hasnt mentioned. However the comments that the USA has no right to critisise is fatuous. if past records deter us from doing any thing about anything then we are all in trouble.
peter french, orihuela costa, spain
i say we thank vlad putin for this crisis. if global warming and recent enery price hikes havent been enough to persuade us to get out of the fossil fuel business, then providing vlad with all the cash he needs to retool russia's nuclear arsenal must surely be the clincher.
john Winter, bath,
Please somebody remind to Rice, Blaire and yourself how many times in XX and XXI centures USA invaded into independent states.
I am and all people worldwide I hope are indignant of such cynical amnesia of respected american politis.
Alexei, Moscow, Russia
Still WAITING for the evidence of genocide.
Do you think we'll have to wait as long as for the evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?
Boris, London, UK
I wonder what the Chinese reaction to all this is? And no glib comments from westerners please. I want FACT. Maybe it will have to wait until the Olympics are over.
David, Dublin,
People forget that Saakashvili was put into power by the Georgian people not by the USA. It is not for the Russians to remove him.
Ironically the Georgians will remove him because of his strategic blunder in losing two parts of Georgian territory to the evil empire.
Boris, London, UK
Bush and Rice are in a hurry because of time, when people around the world as well as Americans to know a truth about these events, is approaching. Rice tried to persuade Saakashvili departing in US with a reason to avoid a trial to be waiting for him.
Alexey, Moscow,
Why can't everyone see that this fiasco has nothing to do with old ethnic grudges,foriegn policies,security treaties etc.The truth is in the money trail.Former USSR-Israel-Oligarchs can't tap into the Russian market. So they use other mUScle to control the flow. Welcome to Global Racketeering 2008
kosta little , Mata Utu , Wallis and Futuna
Condemn the Iraqi invasion before you damn the Russkies who were provoked deliberately by Georgia.
Michael, Hong Kong,
Moral hypocricy vs military power. Russia is in a far better moral position to defend its actions than either the UK or USA with respect to Iraq and WMDs. As for military power, Russia again holds the cards because of their nuclear weapons. Sakashvilli is an idiot undeserving of NATO support.
Bill, Sydney, Australia
Hard to believe that people think the world revolves only around NATO (EU and U.S.).
The consequences of any brash direct military intervention by this group of "democratic idealogy" fanatics may spawn opposition alliances that the world has never seen for pure power and resolve.
Malcolm Beach, London, Canada
AMERICA IS MEDDLING?? In the countries where America has not come to the rescue people are dying as in Darfur and Tibet. It would be wonderful If the world could be at peace but that is not reality. America does not take land or wealth away when we go in to help. We rebuild. Europe better wake up!
Deane, Highland, Ca, USA
Unfortunately you let one great power get away with an unjustified invasion and they all want to do it.
Bring Bush and Blair before war crimes trials, sentence them to a couple of years behind bars, and then we can accuse Russia.
Otherwise we are a bunch of lame hypocrites
Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada
Will, Grimsby is correct. The Russians have nukes. More jets and soldiers won't do anything. We can only defeat Russia by moral argument.
To win a moral argument we must be consistent. We must renounce our inexcusable invasion and bring our own war criminals to trial.
Otherwise the Ukraine is next
Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada
Robbie, amsterdam name the worlds hots spots today, and see who has an interest in it. If theres oil there, it is 90% the US's meddling.
The US did not free Amsterdam, the Allied forces did, the US was a part of that including Russia... You have both to thank.
Darren, London, UK
The message is loud and clear, the soaring oil prices gave Russia the last thing the country needed to become a super power yet again - fiscal backbone. I think we are about to see some real changes on the political influence map of the world
Seth, London,
Nobody recognized Ossetian and Abkhazian referendums because Russians thrown out all Georgian population from these regions (250000) in 90s, distributed Russian passports to the remaining population (30000) and then held a referendum for these 30000 excluding 250000.
nina, Falls Church, USA
And so the West doesn't care enough about Georgia to intervene in this case and Russia doesn't have the stones or capability to actually attack a NATO member state proper. Thus descends a new Cold War, a solid, unmoveable and persistant status quo. Will this one end as peacefully as the last one?
Daquan Quartermaine, Middelburg, Netherlands
What really happened in Georgia, is a copy of what happened in Cyprus in 1974 even on a larger scale. Substitute Russia with Turkey and instead of a few days put 34 years. Then you can see the hypocricy and the double standards of America and Britain, the latter being a guarantor power of Cyprus.
A Papantoniou, Birmingham, Cyprus
i wander if your responses would have been the same if serbia sent it's military into Kosovo. But of course, our lives are worth less than those of Kosovans, because we are not an enemy to Russia
we have had a referendum too, and voted for independence, just like Kosovo. Why nobody recognizes it?
Dimitrij, Tskhinvali, Soth Ossetia
@darren, London: the US meddling is the cause of all discord in the world today? Are you out of your mind? My country is a free nation partly because of the US meddling.
Robbie, amsterdam ,
Georgia is not a loyal country, never been and will never become one. Its in their nature. Soon, they will even claim the Azeri oil . Russia should of his the Tbilisi and thrown out Sahakashvilli from power. Nato does not have the stomach to stand up against Russia. Neither does the US.
Avaraam Russo, Los Angeles, USA
The people with the the real problem here seem to be the Americans, why dont they get the fact that the rest of the world does not need them meddling in their affairs. Rice for starters has been behaving like a juvenile in her statements which are out of place with reality.
Vivek, Bangalore,
"History teaches us that if you let a country do something like this without a military response, they'll keep doing it. "
Exactly.
This is why Russia did it.
Mikhail Mayorov, Brooklyn,
russia is soley dependant on its nukes to stop nato from interfering with its empire building plans. no wonder they are so opposed to the nuclear shield, with it in place nato could use its vastly superor military to keep the russians in check.. after all russia v nato is effectively ww1 v ww2 army
will, grimsby, uk
Do the commenters below realize that Russia is not Iraq, Afghanistan or Iran ... They actually DO have nukes?
Russia can do what they want and no one will touch them.
jayil, london, uk
Jim P, Sacramento, California if its in the hands of the Georgians, then it cannot be US property? After all posession is 9/10ths of the law as you say. One could read this then as US aggression, which could escalate things.. further. The US meddling is the cause of all discord in the world today.
Darren, London, UK
NATO should protect Georgia, but Georgia started this, in an ill-thought-out attack on South Ossetia. Of course the Russians should withdraw from Georgia itself (beyond the South Ossetian border). However, Georgian militants and army renegades may continue attacks and complicate matters dangerously
Nigel Reid, Dublin, Ireland
the only rec ourse for the u.s. is to re-instate the draft and
build our military strength back up. russia's actions indicate to me that they are intent on re-establishing their position as before the end of the cold war. President Putin is an old hard core communist and will never change.
john carter, spiro, usa.
Wait, wait, wait... Russia is "commandeering" vehicles that belong to the US Government? They are, in short, stealing our equipment -- equipment that is not Georgian, but American, and thus something they have even LESS entitlement to -- as some pathetic power-play, some kind of childish taunt? Wow.
Mark, Roscoe, US
History teaches us that if you let a country do something like this without a military response, they'll keep doing it.
A swift and powerful international response would send the message that these actions are not worth the effort.
Ali, Baba,
I'd say we need to present Medvedev a bill for the cost of the four Humvees... since that is U.S. property that has been confiscated by Russian troops. That would be about $500,000 as outfitted and armoured.
Jim P, Sacramento, California
Sabatouge all Russian oil pipelines which is where all her new money is coming from
geo magn, ellicott city, USA