Georgia Situation

Georgia Situation

Start of World War III amirite?

What do people think, Georgia justified in trying to maintain their own territory from sepratists and Russia over reacting? Or are Russia protecting those poor freedom fighters?

I think the solution is a good old World War I style plebescite for the disputed regions.

I am a little concerned with the reports of continuing russian advances too...


Critical_Lemon2008-08-14 15:37:13

I think the Russians need to butt out of Georgia full stop. It's not their problem but one for the locals to sort. I think Russia is just using it as an excuse to develop another route to the dead sea. Lonegunmen2008-08-14 15:46:45

Well the states have said they are going to use military aircraft and ships to deliver supplies to Georgia. That's probably enough presence, Russia aren't stupid enough to try and touch anything American. I'm predicting they'll stop short of Tblisi to avoid a real confrontation with UN, EU, or NATO forces.

Georgia trying to push boundaries, Russia have said oh no you dont, taught them a lesson and called their bluff, punished them, and will (if their not already) withdraw.

Ww3 my bum. Nothing major

They were hardly pushing boundaries given South Ossetia is a part of Georgia. Pretty sh*t thing to do to your own citizens though.

Originally I didn't know what to think, because the reports from the Russians were saying that the Georgian government was committing genocide against the South Ossetians (I viewed this as unlikely, but it would've been arrogant to assume this is false because it has come from the Russians).  But after all "cease-fires" had been agreed to and the Russians continued to advance and looted cities (I think Gori was the place), I think Russia need to sort it out. 

Having said all that, do you guys think that if a state wants independence - such as South Ossetia - it should be given it?  Or should it be subjective to each case?

All we are getting is a western viewpoint from the medis. Has anyone got an Ossetian view? Or Russian view? Of course not..

I think a plebescite is a good step in any similar situation, find out whether the majority actually does want independence or not. A lot of stuff would have to be resolved on a case by case basis.

We did get a Russian view, only that view is just as flawed as the Georgian view as they are trying to justify their actions as well.

As Kennedy once said about 'Nam, "It's their war, they are the ones who have to win it or lose it." same applies here - get out, Russia.

Georgia, as any other legally recognised state, has the right to defend its territorial integrity.

Nobody else is responding to your plebiscite idea, CL, probably cos they don't know what it means!

A plebiscite for North and South Ossetia, plus Abkhazia, would be ideal. 3 options:
Would you rather be:
a) Independent
b) in Russia
c) in Georgia

I'd quite like to see a worldwide plebiscite; would sort out all those tricky ethnic rivalry areas in a fair way ...

Not my fault they're ignorant and/or too lazy to look it up.
Also, further history: Plebiscites were used as part of the self-determination project in post-Great War Europe. Famous place which was promised a plebiscite but didn't get it, the Sudatenland.

http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/South_Ossetia for even more lulz.

good to see Jessica's home schooling is paying off for you, KP

I don liv in georigia?? 

While not having a technical plebiscite, it is reasonably obvious who they wanted to be controlled by (in 1938 97.32% voted for the NSDAP).
loyalgunner2008-08-15 17:35:11

Well obviously Russia were in fact upholding democracy by defending South Ossetia but they've obviously gone too far. The reason that vote wasn't accepted is almost undoubtedly becasuse the western states want Georgia on their side.

it will get worse from here on in. Russia are going to pull out but after arming local militias (thugs with guns) dairyflat2008-08-16 08:46:07