Poul, I go back to your original declaration: the only way out of this mess is preemptively recognize independence of ossetia and abkhazia

To which I answered, in essence, what if we do? I contend if these populations so desire their freedom they “should also be fighting the Russians–to claim their autonomy as well as help preserve that of the Georgians. But they don’t seem willing, do they? And so by preemptively giving them their independence Georgia would accomplish what, exactly?” I notice you choose to ignore the question.

To my dissection of your answer for ‘this mess’ you have no answer at all. The pressures the Georgians bring to bear upon these populations pale in comparison to the pressures the Russians can and, I believe is readily apparent, will bring to bear. You say “for the millionth time: they [Russians] have no business to do many things” which seems a tacit admission of my prior point that your solution (preemptively recognizing the breakaway regions’ independence) is nonsensical.

Suppose, as a test, we just ask the Russians to recognize the independence and sovereignty of North Ossetia and see what happens? After all, they shouldn’t ignore the yearnings of the majority if asked nicely, right?

But as you say, they have no business to do many things, yet ignore the desires of the majority they surely will, as they have proven time and time again and are proving in the formerly free Republic of Georgia even now.