Georgia’s territorial integrality has to be seen in context of international commitments and regional arrangements. The 2 Russian majority regions that Georgia’s nationalist government chose to bomb, were given to Georgia in trust, in exchange for membership in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Shortly after, Gamasakhurdia won election to the Presidency, on a “Georgia for Georgians” campaign. Civil war followed. Why wouldn’t Russians view Georgia’s trust obligations as breached?
Russia is a signatory to the Helsinki Accords (1977). Under same, states – including the US, Canada and EVERY European state – affirmed a commitment to meet international standards, viz protection of minorities. Re the Georgian trust lands, Russia had every right to revoke the breached trust arrangement and reclaim sovereign authority. In addition, they had an obligation to protect nationals, in face of Georgian brutalization. I heard Russian claims of “2000″ dead at the hands of Georgia’s army; I doubt same, however, I am open to receiving proof. It is true that the Georgian shelling was indiscriminate. Georgia used Putin’s presence at the Olympics as a smokescreen to decide the sovereignty issue by force. All that was needed was incorporation under NATO, with its mutual defense provision (Article 5). Russia had every right to respond in kind to Georgia’s move, which was clearly directed towards completing Gamsakhurdia’s ethnic cleansing campaign. Nobody intervened in 1992. The same issues arose in 2008.
In spite of irresponsible media coverage, it appears that Russia has no intention to capture Georgia. They have committed to withdraw troops back to the 2 enclaves, and claim to be conducting only “intelligence” and “disarmament” operations outside of same.
Of course they will be held to that. And given that they have strong friends in Georgia, friendly relations could develop. Incidently, every interview with Georgians reveals extreme contempt for the nationalists. In that context, it is folly to claim those lame ducks as allies.
Strong opinions arose out of this incident. I ask that those who defend the Georgians settle the issue of the nationalist’s attempt to use NATO as an instrument for ethnic cleansing. And: if you know nothing about Gamsakhurdia, you really shouldn’t be commenting on this issue. We don’t need another Cold War. That can happen unless reason prevails, and open minds are valued. Please reconsider your rush to judgment.
