CSM: KEY QUESTION LINGERS: WHO STARTED THE WAR IN GEORGIA?

[pampango]

"As EU monitors arrive, new details contradict Russia's assertion that Georgia invaded South Ossetia first.

Saakashvili's version, backed by at least one dissenting Russian military expert, is that he flung his forces into South Ossetia in an attempt to head off a significant Russian invasion already in progress.

That case is broadly supported by US officials, but unexpected details have been provided by a Russian investigative journalist, Pavel Felgenhauer, military correspondent of the independent Moscow weekly Novaya Gazeta.

Citing military sources, Mr. Felgenhauer says, "The decision to make war against Georgia in August was finalized by Russia's General Staff in April," and Russia began preparing for an invasion."

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1002/p01s02-woeu.html?page=1

[louis-t]

1. I think it was General Lee, wasn't it?

:eyes:

[pnutbutr]

2. back and forth

Back and forth fighting has been going on between the Georgian military and South Ossetian separatists for years. The Russian peacekeepers IMO were not peacekeepers but were assisting the separatists as they never did anything to stop the fighting but were always present during it. Russia wants the pipelines in Georgia and it being the last holdout on Russian dominance of the oil supply to Europe is a major thorn for Russia. Georgia was one of the only nations that refused to give in to Russian blackmail. Russia would double and even triple natural gas prices in the middle of winter and offer to return them to normal if the nation turned over control of it's oil and gas supply lines to Russia. Russia had a very clear motive in destabilizing Georgia and attempting to gain control over the nation. It just seemed to incorrectly anticipate the worlds reaction to it's invasion of Georgia and subsequent occupation of Georgia's primary oil shipping port and dismantling of it's military bases.

It's very possible that Russia had planned this beforehand but will be hard to prove without tons of evidence and even then it will be denied vehemently by Russia.

[deaniac21]

3. BUSH

[damntexdem]

4. Savannah! They're jealous of Atlanta, so started the war.