Mikhail Gorbachev: Georgia leaders to blame!

[IndianaGreen]

A Path to Peace in the Caucasus

By Mikhail Gorbachev
Tuesday, August 12, 2008; Page A13

Through all these years, Russia has continued to recognize Georgia's territorial integrity. Clearly, the only way to solve the South Ossetian problem on that basis is through peaceful means. Indeed, in a civilized world, there is no other way.

The Georgian leadership flouted this key principle.

What happened on the night of Aug. 7 is beyond comprehension. The Georgian military attacked the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali with multiple rocket launchers designed to devastate large areas. Russia had to respond. To accuse it of aggression against "small, defenseless Georgia" is not just hypocritical but shows a lack of humanity.

Mounting a military assault against innocents was a reckless decision whose tragic consequences, for thousands of people of different nationalities, are now clear. The Georgian leadership could do this only with the perceived support and encouragement of a much more powerful force. Georgian armed forces were trained by hundreds of U.S. instructors, and its sophisticated military equipment was bought in a number of countries. This, coupled with the promise of NATO membership, emboldened Georgian leaders into thinking that they could get away with a "blitzkrieg" in South Ossetia.

In other words, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was expecting unconditional support from the West, and the West had given him reason to think he would have it. Now that the Georgian military assault has been routed, both the Georgian government and its supporters should rethink their position.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/11/AR2008081101372.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

[tabatha]

1. Yes, this is all Georgia crap -

possibly the US as well.

[bemildred]

2. Well said, Mr Gorbachev.

I'm all for holding Pooty-Poot's feet to the fire, but Saakashvili needs to visit the Hague for this.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Gorbachev is right. Backing the Georgian aggresion is not wrong but stupid.

But, what the hell, let's keep doing it because Russia is a handy bogeyman for Americans.

[Monk06]

4. Well the US encouraged the Kurds to revolt against Saddam during GW I

they then let his MI 24 gunships fly unharmed
out of Kuwait. They proceeded to fly directly
to the Kurdish north and slaughtered the Kurds.

Bush senior did nothing to prevent it an left
the Kurds to flap in the breeze.

This has become standard procedure in US foreign
policy. Arm an ally and goad them into conflict
with the enemy. If it works the ally is a conquering
hero. If not then deny any involvement.

This is the second example of the neo cons stirring
up shit and then complaining about the sell when it
fails.