Posted by
Cary Wesberry on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 4:25:00 PM
Russia declared Abkhazia and South Ossetia independent from Georgia, long enough for them to be subsumed by the New Soviet Union. As punishment, the "international community" gives Moscow a stern talking-to.
Russia’s president backed independence claims of two breakaway republics in Georgia today, a dramatic move that reignited tensions between the two countries which have fought a brief but bloody war over the disputed territories.
The Government of Mikhail Saakashvili, the Georgian president, called the declaration a de facto annexation of the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and compared the decision to Nazi Germany’s carving up of Czechoslovakia in 1938, which led to the outbreak of the Second World War.
Dimitry Medvedev further increased tensions by accusing the United States of shipping arms to Georgia on naval vessels in the Black Sea port of Poti.
Asked if Russia was mounting a blockade of ships off Poti Medvedev replied:“There is no blockade. Any ship can get in, American and others are bringing in humanitarian cargoes.
“And what the Americans call humanitarian cargoes - of course, they are bringing in weapons.”
The American warship USS McFaul was due to dock in Poti tomorrow to deliver humanitarian aid there. Other US naval vessels are due in the same area in the next few days.
Georgia accused its giant neighbour of seeking to provoke renewed fighting, which would allow its armoured divisions to move around the capital Tblisi.
But the leaders of the two tiny would-be states hailed Mr Medvedev’s decision to back their bids for independence as “historic,” and there were scenes of celebration inside their main towns.
"I have signed decrees on the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia," Mr Medvedev said in a televised address. "Russia calls on other states to follow its example."
Instead, the Russian declaration ran into a barrage of international condemnation.
Britain was among the first western states to reject the unilateral Russian move. David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, said Russia’s decision “further inflames an already tense situation” and vowed to build the “widest possible coalition against Russian aggression in Georgia".
He said: “Today’s announcement by President Medvedev that Russia will recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia is unjustifiable and unacceptable. It will also not work.
Yes indeed, the world is going straight to Hell; sans the handbasket, do not pass Purgatory, do not collect a chance for redemption.
The lily-white cowards in Great Britain admonished Russia for making a declaration which "further inflames an already tense situation". Such strong language from the pansy Foreigner Secretary of not-so-Great Britain. Further inflames? Russia invaded Georgia! The only thing the Communists "inflamed" was the entire Georgian countryside.
I suppose it is best we do nothing for Georgia. If we help them the way we are helping Israel there would not be a single Georgian left in the world today. Leaving Georgia to fend for itself has to be better than actually giving support and comfort to the enemy.