Russia/Georgia Situation News & Updates

Georgia will lose South Ossetia, Russian president declares

Dmitry Medvedev says war means South Ossetia and Abkhazia are 'unlikely to remain with Georgia in one state'

source

A bit more on that earlier report:

(Updates with further movement; changes dateline)

By James Kilner

IGOETI, Georgia, Aug 15 (Reuters) - A Russian military convoy advanced to within 55 km (30 miles) of Tbilisi on Friday, from the Russian-occupied town of Gori inside Georgia proper, a Reuters witness said.

The incursion marked the closest troops have come to the Georgian capital, and coincided with a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to push a French-brokered peace plan to end the Russia-Georgia conflict.

The convoy of 10 armoured personnel carriers (APC), mounted by soldiers, was initially shadowed by three low-flying Russian combat helicopters as it pulled slowly past Georgian police and then army checkpoints without stopping.

The helicopters then left the convoy.

The vehicles halted in the village of Igoeti on the main highway to the Georgian capital. Their purpose was not clear. Several APCs pulled into side roads.

(Source: AlertNet)

[edit on 15-8-2008 by chips]

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reply to post by chips


Thanks for posting An interesting development to say the least.

The convoy of 10 armoured personnel carriers (APC), mounted by soldiers, was initially shadowed by three low-flying Russian combat helicopters as it pulled slowly past Georgian police and then army checkpoints without stopping.

reply to post by rixhell


see what?
can you give us a basic run down. or, your opinion?

Five Jets of U.S. Air Force Landed in Tbilisi

Five warplanes of the U.S. Air Force landed in Tbilisi International Airport, the RF General Staff Deputy Chief General-Colonel Anatoly Nogovitsyn told reporters. “I would like to know what cargo they have delivered, military or humanitarian,” the general said.

source

Jets? Warplanes? Looks like coldwar talk to me, I suppose a general should be able to spot the difference between a jet/warplane or a transporter.

Erm... is anyone watching Condi Rice's joint press conference with Saakashvili?

I'm sure she just stated that any discussions about the future of the region must start from the point that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are indisputably Georgian territories.

Hm. Over to you, Medvedev.

Originally posted by chips
Erm... is anyone watching Condi Rice's joint press conference with Saakashvili?

I'm sure she just stated that any discussions about the future of the region must start from the point that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are indisputably Georgian territories.

Hm. Over to you, Medvedev.

Do you have a text source for that?

Is it live now? cant find it

Just catching up with the world trying to get up to speed after a busy day, also in your opinion the most imporant thing in this situation today? very many reports on this issue, but time scarce.

Much Appreciated

Elf.

U.S.'S RICE SAYS ALL RUSSIAN TROOPS MUST LEAVE GEORGIA IMMEDIATE 15 Aug 2008 15:21:38 GMT
Source: Reuters
U.S.'S RICE SAYS ALL RUSSIAN TROOPS MUST LEAVE GEORGIA IMMEDIATELY

www.alertnet.org...

I don't think we have seen the last of this war

Oh, and on a side note, Saakashvili also said there's no way ('never ever, ever') that Georgia will give up one inch of the country - including... well, do I really need to say?

We thought this was coming to an end. In fact, it's only just begun.

(He also compared Russia to a 'barbarian' and a 'rapist').

Good move, Saaka!



[edit on 15-8-2008 by chips]

reply to post by MischeviousElf


I just saw it on the BBC, Elf.

I'll try and find a link.

reply to post by chips


Well Medvedev already stated that Russia will support any decision which the people of S. Ossetia and Abkhazia make - including independence. This announcement was all over Russian news yesterday, and clearly marked the position Moscow is taking on this. I am sure Medvedev will not back down and will continue to insist that the breakaway regions have the right for self-determination.

Russian experts already started speculating yesterday - that the question of SO/Abkhazia independence is going to be a major problem for the peace negotiations process.

Georgia insists that a condition of its territorial integrity is included in the document worked-out by Sarkozy. Russia stands firm that this condition be excluded - because it could bar SO and Abkhazia from legally becoming independent in the short term.




So - Medvedev already stated his position firmly. The question is how much does Georgia want peace? Russia has the military edge right now, so Georgia is not really in a position to make demands - unless of course the U.S. decides to step up its support for the Joker (Saakashvilli).

The next step is not with Medvedev - it is with the Joker. If Saakashvilli really wants peace, he will sign the peace document without pretenses of territorial integrity. With Rice's support now I have doubts that he will sign the document. This means that the peace negotiations could break down, or will require lengthy talks about the "technicallities".

reply to post by chips


Thanks thank got it now chips! watching closely.

So is it being resolved over the course of the day or getting worse In your opinion?

Elf.

[edit on 15-8-2008 by MischeviousElf]

You see Saakashvili trip up the step ? haha.

I actually found an article in the MSM that tells the truth .

www.guardian.co.uk...

Originally posted by maloy
The next step is not with Medvedev - it is with the Joker. If Saakashvilli really wants peace, he will sign the peace document without pretenses of territorial integrity. With Rice's support now I have doubts that he will sign the document. This means that the peace negotiations could break down, or will require lengthy talks about the "technicallities".

ill be wiling to bet that Saakashvilli does not get much say in the matter anymore. i think bush and co. are running this circus now.

although, i cant see why bush and co. would not let the regions go, if like you say, it was the will of the people to be obsorbed by russia. i dont see a stratigic reason for wanting to keep the area.

im sure that from the standpoint of the georgians, they dont want to loose what is considered by them, thiers. but hey, like you said, they are not in much of a position to demand things from russia.

interesting perspective you have provided in the last couple of post.

reply to post by MischeviousElf


I really don't know anymore!

As was just said on Sky, Saakashvili has kissed goodbye to South Ossetia - at least for the short-term - after signing this latest agreement (although Saakashvili was at pains to point out that this is not a settlement - just the 'first chapter').

The Russians are still yet to pull out, but it's all about those two provinces now. And with Saakashvili still in charge, who knows what will happen next.

reply to post by chips



Thanks Chips,

However hasn't as you said Condi rice told them to leave entirely?

Russia has sent a warning to Poland today too with the "nuclear" word in it!

And Bush's words seem very strong.

The game of Chess eh, a great Russian love, and the timing of this if the Russians did start it is definately a "check" move to the West.

Bush cant protect this region or interfere as the situation and buildup for Iran, and current commitments elsewhere, and if Bush now launches an attack on Russia Ally Iran he would be seen as a "hypocrite".

If he did and got away with pushing an attack forward at this time, which the military are probably giving red lights for since this event started as apposed to green before, this Russian conflict, and continued expansion would be unnoticed by the world the minute "shock and awe" visited Tehran, all attention would be there.

The move is brilliant I must say from a Tactical and strategic, as southern Georgia's borders is only a few hundred kilometers North from the Northern Iraq, Iran Border. From south Georgia Russian Tanks could be in Iraq and Iran within hours!

From a human being and normal point of view there is no respect at all!

Kind Regards,

Elf.

Edit for spelling and to observe it was an En Passe move! wonderful.

[edit on 15-8-2008 by MischeviousElf]

This thing is a long way from over and the reports today make it sound like things are actually deteriorating further. Russia is not going anywhere and the US is bringing in more "supplies".

Maloy, can you perhaps tell me how strong Medvedev's position is?

I mean if this pans out bad for Russia, could the Duma put him out of office in an attempt to save face?

It seems to me that Putin will be the morral winner, no matter how things go.