Russia/Georgia Situation News & Updates

Russia signs the peace accord

RUSSIA'S MEDVEDEV SIGNS FRENCH-BROKERED PEACE PLAN ON ENDING GEORGIA CONFLICT - KREMLIN

www.alertnet.org...

It would seem they are trying to completely cut off and isolate the Georgian people in Tbilisi.What is there plan next after that I wonder?
Nuke Tbilisi?
I think the message has gotten through I think they can leave now.
So why aren't they leaving?

reply to post by Rentor


No, No, you see that all wrong. Accoring to the Russian general, they don't destroy bridges but they repair them. *wink*

Former German Chancellor says that Georgia sparked the current crisis, and urges Europe to forge closer ties to Russia

BERLIN, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder blamed Tbilisi on Saturday for sparking hostilities with Moscow and suggested its breakaway regions could not remain part of Georgia following the violent clashes of the past week.

In an interview with German weekly Der Spiegel, Schroeder also criticised the West for failures in its dealings with Russia and urged Europe to strengthen its ties with Moscow.

Schroeder developed a close relationship with then-Russian president Vladimir Putin during his 7 years as chancellor and he now chairs a German-Russian consortium that is building a major gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea.

www.alertnet.org...

Again, I think Medvedev may have signed this thing in an attempt to temporarily placate the U.S. and the international community.

I think it just buys them a little more time to carry out whatever they might be planning (if indeed they're planning anything at all).

They've been very, very clever - you can't deny that.

[edit on 16-8-2008 by chips]

reply to post by AceWombat04

he now chairs a German-Russian consortium that is building a major gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea.

Hmmm, a man with an agenda?

reply to post by -Rugged Shark-


Were just gonna build a better one for ya

Rail bridge destroyed west of Tbilisi - Reuters witness (UPDATE)

A Reuters television crew verified on Saturday that a railway bridge on the main line west of the Georgian capital Tbilisi has been destroyed.

Pictures filmed by Reuters showed one end of the bridge in Kaspi collapsed into the river bank.

Villagers said an explosive device had been detonated remotely on Saturday by men in military uniforms.

The villagers said the men were Russians, but the Russian military has denied involvement.

source

reply to post by AceWombat04


They are just saying that because they have their pants down to the Russians,we all know it because of the natural gas and all.It would benefit Germany greatly to side with Russia

reply to post by -Rugged Shark-


The problem with this whole situation (and others like this) is that we only remember the truths because they are confirmed latter, the lies are forgotten.

There have been false accusations from both sides, both we forget those that were said and never confirmed, that is why it would be a good idea to have a list of all statements from all sides to make a final balance of the lies v. truths from all parties.

Unfortunately, that would be a gigantic task, I don't think anyone will read more than 5000 posts to do that.

Again on Sky, about Russian forces surrounding Kaspi. A lot of conflicting reports. "Peace plan signed" by Medvedev, then the bridge getting blown up and now this?

Strange...

[edit on 16-8-2008 by Mammoth]

reply to post by Mammoth


Did you see the video on Sky of the destroyed bridge?

That must've been a nice surprise for the locals.

reply to post by ArMaP


Very true what you said. I guess we'll have to wait for an independent enquiry into what has led to this war.

In the early stages of the conflict, Georgian officials repeatedly claimed that Russian forces were occupying their cities, and this turned out to be false based on witness reports from multiple sources, and later, from the Georgian government itself. So Georgia has issued statements which were false as well. Hyperbole has been used.

However for the past three days now, Russia has denied that its forces were in Georgian cities, yet their pressence was later confirmed. Futhermore, each city they enter falls victim to looting and violence at the hands of the separatists/militia forces accompanying them. Now they have moved closer to the capital than at any previous point. It certainly doesn't seem as though they have enough forces to take Tbilisi if that was their objective, yet witnesses on the ground from multiple sources - some of whom have conflicting agendas, yet still say the same thing - confirm that such looting and violence are taking place in the towns the Russian forces encroach upon. It is entirely possible that Russia cannot control these irregular forces, however it is equally possible that this is part of a strategy.

So what might be their strategy? If it is a strategy, its goal must include what is being done, i.e. rendering Georgian cities unsafe or lawless, and damaging communications and logistical support. So it begs the question...

Is all of this a means of achieving what I posted earlier that someone close to me claimed U.S. personnel had told them Russia's goal was? Namely: to turn Georgia into a burden on NATO rather than a forward strategic base, and then withdraw once that has been done?

Or are they simply doing what they say they are? Namely: eliminating weapons and installations they claim could be used by Georgia to again attack Ossetia, after the completion of which they will withdraw completely?

I can't say, and I don't think any of us can say for certain either, but in either case I am deeply concerned for the lives and wellbeing of people on both sides.

Case in point:

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed the cease-fire plan designed to end its military conflict with Georgia, his office says. However, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said it would not completely withdraw from Georgian territory until troops had finished cleaning up ammunition, weapons and boobytraps left behind by Georgian troops.

www.cnn.com...

[edit on 8/16/2008 by AceWombat04]

reply to post by ArMaP


I think we can accept that both sides are lying 90 - 100% of the time and in the end it doesn't really matter who said what. The Russians are in control of Georgia, the Georgian military fled the scene and Russia can and will do whatever it wants on the ground to secure it's position and prevent the Georgian military from re-grouping.

The peace agreement has only just been signed this morning, nothing that occurred before that is a violation - just normal military tactics (including destroying military bases, capturing weapons caches, and cutting road and rail access). I think Russia will take it's sweet time moving back to it's agreed positions and people will get all bent about it, but they want the world to know this agreement is on their terms.

Timeline by 16th of August 14:50


Provided data is operational and may be subject to verification.

16 August

14:40 Numerous fires have been noticed in the town of Kaspi and surrounding villages after Russian aviation dropped fire setting engines in the area.

14:40 Russian paramilitaries (so called Cossacks) have entered the town of Kharagauli 50 Km from Kutaisi.

14:30 Eight units of Russian armored troops have started movement from Khashuri district towards the town of Sachkhere.

13:20 Russian troops have started moving from Igoeti, Kaspi district towards Gori.

13:00 Two Russian trucks with soldiers have moved through the Rikoti tunnel to the village Khevi, Kharagauli district.

12:30 The traffic on Khashuri-Borjomi highway has been stopped by the Georgian authorities due to security concerns as a result of the Russian troops movements.

12:30 Grakali Railroad Bridge in Kaspi district has been blown up by Russian troops.

12:30 Russian troops fired from an artillery gun in Uplistsikhe. The shell exploded in the river.

10:45 Three Russian tanks are stationed in Kaspi and two in Igoeti.

source

The question we have to ask ourselves is exactly what tactical advantage does it give the russians for them to destroy this bridge.

More likely it gives the Georgians more of a tactical advantage to blow the bridge then it does the russians.. IE removing acess to the area..

nothing that occurred before that is a violation

Yep, and everything that occurs after it - is.

Not that Russia could give a hoot. Like I've said, they really ain't in the mood to be told what to do and when to do it. They're being told by the U.S. to get the hell out; it wouldn't surprise me if they stayed just for the hell of it.

It's been 15 years, but the bear is back - and it's here to stay.

reply to post by -Rugged Shark-


I wouldn't doubt Russian troops rampaging through western Georgia.Russian troops block Reporters at Gori before they can get over there.

Use live maps to check where they hit the bridge where their going next on thee map

If there in Khashuri district that means they're 15miles or little less away from the capital

[edit on 16-8-2008 by Rentor]