Russia and Georgia, The Facts

Question

What is the real situation? I've seen posts and articles condemning both Georgia and Russia for fighting with the other. Who invaded what first and why? Where does China and the U.S. stand on this dispute?

Answer 1

Georgia invaded some of their old territories, and pissed off Russia is coming to get it back. China does whatever Russia says, and the US is trying to sneak out the back door, because we don't want to touch this.

Answer 2

The facts are still coming in. They will be posted my whoever you want to believe here. go look them up yourself. Trust me and make your own opinion. Georgia though isn't as innocent as dsome folks are making to look like. I mean why would a small azz country like Georgia invade a smaller state that Russia has stake in and incure the wrath of RUSSIA? That's like Iceland invading Maine...

anyway, let the few European countries who 'hate' Bush sooo much help first then...we can solve this one with dipolmacy and Georgia isn't as innocent as they seem also.

We need to fix Dafur or somewhere else instead of running to Europe (or Asia actually) every time. We need to finish up in Iraq and concentrate in Afghanistan anyway hello?

I have nothing against Russians or Georgians, worked with both groups in Bosnia and while in Germany, but this something they can handle. And remember Chenchyna? The Russian army isn't at 1984 levels and didn't rush in then to their aid.

Why now all of a sudden is everyone soooo concerned? And you will see a hundred post all day about this because NOW every remembers the Cold War and how bad Communists were (even though Russian aren't since 1991).

Answer 3

The US and China are staying out, probably siding with Russia. The facts never seem to matter!

Answer 4

The down and dirty - There was a little area in Georgia that is highly loyal to Russia, they all maintain passports and travel back and forth.  Russia has pledged numerous times that they will always be backed by Russia even though they are technically in Georgia.  Russia last night decided to launch an attack so they could physically control the area.  Now Georgia is attacking them back saying they shouldn't be in our country.  And hundreds of people have died so far.

Answer 5

In 1990, Georgia's leader, Zviad Gamsurkhadia, abolished the South Ossetia administrative unit, which in turn led to a (completely unrecognized) declaration of independence by South Ossetia (although up to now, the Georgian government retained control of some areas and villages and towns in the region).

Then there was a period of disorder across Georgia, a civil war, and a conflict in Abkhazia....but in the 1990s Russia was weak and poor and collapsing, ...and had its own problems in Chechnya.

So, skip forward a decade or so. Russia is stronger - a man from Russia (Eduard Kokoyev/Kokoiti) became "president" of the separatists in South Ossetia , and is encouraged to hand out Russian passports to anyone in the region. In 2003 there is a lot of speculation in the Russian press like "If we (Russia) let the USA attack Iraq, they will let us attack Georgia", while before that, shortly after 9/11, Putin referred to Georgia as "the 2nd biggest hotbed of terrorism in the world, after Afghanistan"

In late 2003 the "Rose Revolution" brought a very pro-Western, US-educated (but not really democratic), President to power. Saakashvili's Governments have been nationalistic, and pro-American (a main road in Tbilisi was renamed "George W. Bush Boulevard", they sent troops to Iraq, aspire to join NATO, and they have been involved in several oil pipeline projects intended to undermine Russian (and Iranian) interests.

The Governments have sought to regain control of those regions of Georgia which were under rebel control. The first of these, Ajara, they succeeded in winning back rapidly and peacefully. Abkhazia is the big and difficult one. And South Ossetia - - to some extent they have been shrewd, electing their own "official" President of the region (and thus thereby re-establishing it as an entity within Georgia for the first time since 1990), ...But Russia has stepped up support to its separatist allies

I'd expect the USA to be broadly pro-Georgian - but I doubt they'd want to get too involved - certainly not militarily: perhaps the odd expression of disapproval of Russian actions, but probably urging a rapid peaceful settlement.. I don't think China would be that interested - it's not really one of the neighbourhoods they are actively involved in seeking allies in. Nominal support of Russia.

Answer 6

excactly what shock and awe said. the reaon i cant understand much is because im only 13!