Huh!?

[mahnmut]

Quote: U.S. President George W. Bush led the condemnation with a strongly worded statement, saying: "The United States condemns the decision by the Russian president to recognize as independent states the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia."

Bush said Russia's move was "inconsistent" with the French-brokered cease-fire agreement that ended the fighting and called on Russia to "reconsider this irresponsible decision."

Bush added: "The territorial integrity and borders of Georgia must be respected, just as those of Russia or any other country. Russia's action only exacerbates tensions and complicates diplomatic negotiations."

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the decision was "unjustifiable and unacceptable."

Excuse me, am I stupid or I'm missing something here? How is South Ossetia and Abkhazia's recognition by Russia "unacceptable" and "unjustifiable", while Kosovo was recognized by the US and by the US-dominated NATO and then UN? And how did NATO respect the "territorial integrity" and the borders of Serbia, a sovereign country? Where's the borderline between "right" and "wrong", and between "justifiable" and "unjustifiable" intervention and recognition? How far does double standard stretch? And hypocrisy too? Do the politicians really believe we're all so dumb?

Also, the article mentions about US ships bypassing the Russian blockade of Poti, intending to deliver "sanitation facilities, tents, bedding, dry and canned goods" to Georgia. First, I doubt Georgia really needs these - no Georgian towns were destroyed, right? Meanwhile, Tskhinvali was totally leveled and all its inhabitants displaced, but no US ships will ever bring anything to them (save for bombs, maybe?) Second, the US is slapping Russia in the face with this move - they know too well that it'll irritate the Russians (like the signing of the anti-missile shield treaty with Poland, which made some Russian officials hint about Poland becoming a legitimate nuclear target).

If Bush is really so peace-loving (haha!), then why is he contributing to the deterioration of the whole situation, if not deliberately?

I also wonder what other "items" the US ships are bringing into Georgia, apart from the tents and cans. More arms, maybe?

Meanwhile, the EU officials are behaving like the real bitches they are...

 

Comments

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

Firstly, let me say that everyone on all sides are acting like asses here. What Russia is doing is wrong, and the US is right to criticise them. Now if only they hadn't made that criticism so completely hollow with all of their previous actions.

How is South Ossetia and Abkhazia's recognition by Russia "unacceptable" and "unjustifiable", while Kosovo was recognized by the US and by the US-dominated NATO and then UN?

Apparently it has something to do with the fact that Kosovo is a long ongoing thing, whilst Ossetia is out of the blue (the fact that it isn't, and predates the collapse of the USSR isn't relevant apparently).

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

whilst Ossetia is out of the blue
Are you sure?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian-Ossetian_conflict_(1918-1920)

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

From what i read i think Kosovo is actually the much "newer" thing of the two ;)

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

Read between the parenthesis :)

[prog-expat.livejournal.com]

"Where's the borderline between 'right' and 'wrong', and between 'justifiable' and 'unjustifiable' intervention and recognition?"

For me, the line is getting a taskforce put together through the UN. As problematic as that institution is, it's still the best litmus test. If your intervention proposal can't meet UN muster, you'd be best to drop it.

"How far does double standard stretch?"

As far as they want it to, sadly.

"...then why is he contributing to the deterioration of the whole situation, if not deliberately?"

Because Georgia joining NATO is good for the US. The Bushian foreign policy is entirely a zero-sum game. We can't get what we want without screwing somebody, and they can't what they want without screwing us, so we'd best be the ones screwing. Finding and working towards common goals is for hippies, apparently.

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

Why oh why don't you contradict me at all? It's rather boring to have everyone agreeing with me :-)))

[prog-expat.livejournal.com]

Oh, you wanted an argument? In that case, don't be right, or post in politicsforum, where people will passionately argue with you even if you're right.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

+1! :D