Georgia/Russia

[ONeill]

In layman's terms, what's the problem?

[Arthur_Friend]

Best explanation here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_South_Ossetia_(2008)

[Arthur_Friend]

That link works if you cut and paste

[Orior]

Is it some kind of new reality TV show?

[blasmere]

South Ossetia is a region within Georgia and they want to be independent or part of Russia as North Ossetia is. The Russki's are backing the South Ossetians.

[Puckoon]

oooooh - another holidays thread! Do Ryanair go to georgia?

[ONeill]

The Russians seem a bit trigger happy.

[ziggysego]

You're thinking of Dom Joly there ONeill.

[Pangurban]

Despite the attempts by NATO countries to put a spin on this, it is becoming abundantly clear that Russia had no choice other than to take the action they did. Failure to do so would have resulted in Genocide. This was a naked land grab and ethnic cleansing operation, pre-planned and launched by Georgia, with the connivance of the Americans. In an all out war there can be only one victor, Russia has to date shown remarkable restraint in not pressing their advantage

[under the bar]

In layman's terms, what's the problem?

Undoubtedly America is behind it and it involves oil or wealth.

[puskas]

Despite the attempts by NATO countries to put a spin on this, it is becoming abundantly clear that Russia had no choice other than to take the action they did. Failure to do so would have resulted in Genocide. This was a naked land grab and ethnic cleansing operation, pre-planned and launched by Georgia, with the connivance of the Americans. In an all out war there can be only one victor, Russia has to date shown remarkable restraint in not pressing their advantage

Georgian pres started it and has a made a big mistake thinking he could move in to take the Georgian Kosovo - few Georgians live there but it's nominally their territory - while everyone was watching the Olympics and that he could count on the US/NATO support when Russia inevitably responded disproportinately. Putin can't believe his luck. Can paint himself as saviour of Russians while slapping around the upstart Georgians. 'Remarkable restraint' my arse. He bombed 2 apartment blocks yesterday killing dozens of civilians outside South Ossetia and is dropping bombs deep inside Georgia outside the conflict region. And now he can say 'well they started it'. Never ever believe Putin the sc**bag. The Americans/NATO won't lift a finger. Stupid Georgian pres, will lose some of his population, his already tiny military and a fifth of his territory.

[ONeill]

That's the thing here - he seems to be giving Georgia a touch itself, outside of the South Ossetia region - I think Putin has been waiting for the chance to, as you say, slap them around.

[stephenite]

Despite the attempts by NATO countries to put a spin on this, it is becoming abundantly clear that Russia had no choice other than to take the action they did. Failure to do so would have resulted in Genocide. This was a naked land grab and ethnic cleansing operation, pre-planned and launched by Georgia, with the connivance of the Americans. In an all out war there can be only one victor, Russia has to date shown remarkable restraint in not pressing their advantage

Not often I would agree with you Pangurban - but you're spot on here

[dodgy umpire]

if the people their want russia in then thats how it should be

[Zapatista]

Will we hear a peep from the Chinese until after the games? Cowards! The mucleing in of the Eu (supported by the USA) of Georgia and Ukraine and the like is bound to piss off the Russians and rightly so too.