| August 7th, 2008: Georgian Troops Invade South Ossetia |
- To the right is
a map showing the Regions of Georgia & South Ossetia. The capital
of South Ossetia is Tskhinvali. It has been almost totally ruined by
the fighting. The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi.
- In
Nov. 2006, South Ossetians voted for independence. Russian
peacekeepers in South Ossetia are called Separatists by Georgia.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili took office in 2004. He has
sworn to bring both South Ossetia (along with another region Abkhazia)
back under Georgian governance.
- There are some that believe that
this incident may be "paving the way" to an invasion of Iran. At this
time, 2 more U.S. naval aircraft carriers are headed to the Iranian Gulf
and the Red Sea. Kuwait is also said to be preparing a "war plan".
- Now; the
country of Georgia has officially declared war on Russia. The country
of Georgia used to belong to the old Soviet Union. Currently, Georgia
has 1000 troops in Iraq ... is in line to join NATO (as of April 2008)
... and is an ally of the U.S. Georgia has distinctive "Western"
leanings.
In addition, Georgia presently also has about 1000
Israeli military advisers ... to help Israel's interest in the Caspian
& Black Sea gas & oil pipeline that runs through Georgia.
None
of this sat too well with Putin & Moscow (Russia). Putin had been
"putting the screws" to anyone he didn't like (who does something he
politically opposes) by cutting off the oil & gas supply which his
pipeline controls. He did this with the Ukraine which then in turn; cut off their supplies of oil
and gas to Europe.
The Basic Story
- Russia had also been making political
inroads into the areas of South Ossetia which was more "Eastern"
leaning...as it closely borders Russia. There is a "North Ossetia"
which is part of Russia. Separatists there had been fomenting
rebellion in order to get South Ossetia back with North Ossetia and back
under Kremlin-Russian (Putin) control.
In response to these moves by Putin; the State of Georgia in essence told Putin: "right back at 'ya" ... by telling Southern Ossetia (which is
part of Georgia) to get back in line... they delivered this message by invading South Ossetia on the
evening of August 7th.
Putin seized this opportunity ... as President Bush had warned he might... (in essence saying: "Here I
Come To Save the Day") and sent in tanks along with some fighter jets
to bomb the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC)oil pipeline which carries oil to
the West from Asia (so far the bombs have missed the pipeline). Russia
sent in troops on August 8th. So far the fighting has been fierce and
about 2000 are dead. Many areas are conpletely bombed out or on fire.
NOTE: President Bush had warned Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili against such a move ... advising it would be a trap.
This
is Russia's first "full scale invasion" or military assault since the
Soviet Union hit Afghanistan in 1989. Russia also hit Georgia with a cyber
attack and has systematically proceeded to take over all critical areas
of Georgia which would allow Russia to "control" Georgia. Russia signed a
cease-fire and then proceeded to ignore it. The Kremlin saying they
were gone, but Journalists and Reporters on the Scene from other
countries saying "NOT!"
QUESTION: Can this sort of
Dictator Stalin-esque "take-over" still take place in this so-called
"modern day world" ... is such a thing in this day and age still
possible? If not, what would it take to stop it? Putin
is unlikely to willingly go to his room for a "time -out".
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| Click On Image To Enlarge Map |
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- NOTE: On
August 3rd, 2008, The Russians stated there was a "growing threat" of
"Large scale military conflict" between Georgia and South Ossetia. The
United States military was "surprised" by the timing and swiftness of
the Russian military's move. However, Georgia's President had also
warned of this possibility saying that the tension in the region could
lead to a "new world war".
- QUESTION: Have
we learned nothing from the Godfather Movies? Whenever there was a big
"hit", The Corleones were always at some Big Celebration: A public
Holiday Parade, A Family Christening, or the Scilian Opera. While
everyone was at or watching the Festivities (in this case the Olympics in China),
the "hit" was on.
However in this case it would appear that here; Putin was the "spider" and President
Saakashvili was the "fly".
- 08-10-2008
- Russia has sent 5 warships from the Black Sea to Georgia. It may be
part of a blockade as a ship carrying grain to the Port of Poti, Georgia
was turned away by one of the Russian Warships.
Russian
jets have attacked both military & civilian targets in at least 6
locations at once. The Russian jets have bombed a military airfield
near Tbilisi and a tried for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
These
actions are also seen as a move against U.S. influence in the region.
Timed when America is set for a Presidential changeover, Russia wants to
control International economic outlets in the region. BP owns 30% of
the pipeline and supplies 1% of the world's oil...sending up to a
million barrels of oil per day to Turkey.
- Timeline:
- May 7, 2008: Dmitry Medvedev assumes the Presidency of Russia with Vladimir Putin staying on as Prime Minister.
- August 1st, 2008: Total Solar Eclipse thru Russia
- August 6th, 2008: Football games began at 2008 Olympics in Beijing
- August 7th, 2008: Georgian Troops entered South Ossetia & Putin sent in tanks & fighter jets to bomb the BTC oil pipeline
- August 8th, 2008: Opening Ceremonies began at 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. During those ceremonies; news began to break of Russia sending in troops to South Ossetia while then U.S. President Bush watched the opening ceremonies along with Vladimir Putin. (Opening ceremonies occurred at 8:00 PM local Beijing time.)
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- Putin sent his message by occupying and encircling"
parts of Georgia & subsequently (then President of the U.S.) Bush & Poland have sent one as well.
Poland has accepted a U.S. missile interceptor shield base (supposedly
to protect from Iran)...and now, a Russian General (Anatloly Nogovitsyn)
said this opens Poland up to being attacked by Russian nukes.
- Putin
having made a Hilterian type move as a way to "creep" his way back
into full control over what was once part of the old Soviet Union , could not have failed to
regard the U.S. missiles as a new "stone in his Soviet Shoe".
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| "WAR" in the streets of Gori (birthplace of Stalin) Image: Reuters |
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| Click On Image To Enlarge Overall Map of South Ossetian War |
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