Russia Invades Georgia, On the Verge of War Over South Ossetia
Russian troops have entered the country of Georgia, and bombed a military airbase outside of the capital, Tbilisi. This was in response to a full-scale Georgian assault to regain control of the rebel South Ossetia region.
No one was injured in the strikes at the Vaziani military base, which is about 15 miles outside of Tblisi.
Russian tanks invaded Georgia after a night of shelling by Georgia killed at least 3 Russian peacekeepers and 15 civilians.
According to Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili, 150 Russian tanks and armoured vehicles entered the region, and Georgian forces claim to have shot down two Russian warplanes over the territory.
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev vowed to defend Russians in South Ossetia, and punish those responsible for Russian deaths. Medvedev told reporters, "Under the constitution and federal law ... I must protect the life and dignity of Russian citizens wherever they are." Before the tanks crossed the border the Russian president told reporters, those responsible "will receive a deserved punishment".
Nearly 90% of South Ossetia's non-Georgian population have Russian passports. Kazakhstan, another former Soviet state, has also said that they may enter the conflict on the side of Russia.
International leaders have already begun calling for peace. A spokesman for US President George Bush, who is currently in China for the Olympics, said "All sides should bring an immediate end to the violence and engage in direct talks to resolve this matter peacefully."
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the Nato secretary general, said he is "seriously concerned" about the developments, and called for an immediate ceasefire and the start of direct peace talks.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the former president, said that "aggressive" action by Georgia would incur a "response". He also said, "The Georgian leadership has unleashed a dirty adventure. Blood spilled in South Ossetia will be blamed on these people and their associates.
This crisis represents the first major test for Medvedev as the Russian president, however Putin's comments suggest that he is the one actually calling the shots.
Comments
WWIII
Georgia and USA are allies, and we all know Russian and USA relationship has always been fragile. However, do to the fact that Russia invaded Georgia, they anticipated an attack from Georgia in self-defense. Russia is looking for a reason to attack Georgia. And since Georgia (obviously) responded, Russia found a reason to attack and start a WAR.
However, what bothers me more is the fact that Russia is doing this to gain $$$ and Land. Georgia has a rich History, still waiting to be discovered, and how will we be able to do that with a War.
Also, countries are starting to take sides. If I was a president of ANY country I would avoid this whole thing, and try not to get sucked into it, let Russia and Georgia fight among themselves, and NOT bring OTHER countries into the mess. OTHERWISE, we have a WWIII. There are already wars going on in mid-east. With Kurds, and Iraq, and Terrorists, etc., We DO NOT NEED TO MAKE THIS A BIGGER MESS.
I would know, I am 1/2 russian and 1/2 georgian.
I am baffled that the US has
I am baffled that the US has not already responded with force. Letting anyone invade an ally of the United States is very unlike the Bush administration.
Because responding in force
Because responding in force would only escalate the violence, which is bad. Sending in troops should not be the automatic option for when a country needs help.
False Pretense: Russia Invades?
Sounds Sudantenland-ish? Hitler claimed the Sudantenland, which was part of Poland, was mostly full of Germans and he wanted it back. Or is this another Gleiwitz incident?
You guys have it a tad wrong
War is usually out there not only for profit but to destroy the RICH history of a specific territory. This happened with every culture, every civilization.
Just like the U.S. and Iraq. You should do some research on archeological findinds in Iraq right before the war. You should do the same with any war. China and Tibet is just another example.
I for one am happy that the Russians are startin smack because this could only lead to something more, which we as a karmic whole, deserve..
The article said
The article said this:
"Russian tanks invaded Georgia after a night of shelling by Georgia killed at least 3 Russian peacekeepers and 15 civilians."
"after" Georgia started it.