It’s interesting looking at the contrast between the official media line on the South Ossetian conflict and what people on the ground over there (and elsewhere throughout the world) are saying. Some news headlines:
“Russia recognises Georgian Rebels”(rebels: never mind that South Ossetia has been de facto independent for 16 years)
“Russians losing propaganda war”
“Russia condemned for recognizing rebel regions”
“Gates: Russia must step back from ‘aggressive posture’”
To be honest, it looks to me like the hot air and posturing has been from an impotent US, its grubby bloodstained hands still tied up in other pies. Russia hasn’t just been posturing, and NATO has lost face by being powerless to act in defense of what the so-called “North Atlantic” organisation was eyeing up as its latest acquisition.
The comments on BBC’s Have Your Say are normally filled with the vapid diatribes of the “it’s PC gone maaahhhd” self-righteous middle englanders. It was surprising to find this time there was significant input from people who actually have something of a clue about what’s really going on.
“Kosovo tries to secede from Serbia - Serbia tries to stop it - NATO rolls in with blazing tomahawks and planes to stop it.
South Ossetia tries to secede from Georgia - Georgia tries to stop it - Russia rolls in with tanks to stop it.
What is the problem here other than double standards?
Marko, Belgrade” (Wiki: Kosovo War)
“If the US, EU and NATO were so quick to recognise Kosovo’s independence they should as well recognise South Ossetia’s independence. Something tells me they will not! Is is because Russia is involved? Hypocrits!
Constantinos, Nicosia”
“I am increasingly concerned at the attitude of the EU.
This is non of Europes business - & certainly no business of the UK.
Russia has been humiliated enough by the EU, & I doubt their patience will last much longer.
As Europe & UK rely on Russian gas (great forward planning there dear leaders) I suggest we keep our noses out - just for once.
Tony Curtis, Nottingham”
“BBC only talks about russian invasion. But from Russia timeline looks like this:
thursday evening Saakashvili talks on tv that he will never start the war. Three hours later he orders a sudden full-scale invasion and shelling Tskhinvali town using howitzers and MLRS. A few more hours later russia calls up UN security council with no result. Civilian casualties in Tskhinvali grow to over a 1000. Russian peacekeepers base is wiped out. And only on friday afternoon russian troops enter Osetia.
Anton Yakovlev, Krasnodar, south of Russia”
Ugly truths from someone living in South Ossetia (as opposed to Condie Rice, safe and sound on her NATO throne):
“Knifes which is thrown in ossetians boys, and fire in which have burned down over 50 ossetians girls-teenagers… Peacemakers who have been killed, shooting it in a bottom of a stomach. This is the Georgian peace? Get in hell with your Srakashvilli!”
“Legally South Ossetia ALWAYS was the INDEPENDENT COUNTRY. That Georgians systematically exterminate the Ossetians, people of South Ossetia wishes to be under protection of the strong state - Russia. In 1991 in this occasion has passed a referendum - 98 % of the population have told ” yes! “. But the USA have made everything that it to not recognize. Now they learn the Georgians to kill the Ossetians.”
“The Third World War? We already it have lost for all… We have ceased to be the HUMANS.
South Ossetia, which Saakashvili have drowned in blood, testifies to it.”
Elena Solovey, South Ossetia
As blind capital inexorably devours the world piece by piece, so does the angry giant NATO stomp around the world, crying like a spoiled child when its plans for hegemony are scuppered. Those who know the history of American Imperialism (you need look no further than Central America) know what NATO’s stake in this conflict is really about.
