Aravot , Armenia
Aug 12 2008
Senseless War
It is still early to comment on the Russian-Georgian (yes, right this
way) war, let alone to predict its numerous and various consequences.
The hostilities are continuing – although it is obvious that the war
will end with Georgia’s defeat in the coming days (if not today). So
far it is possible to speak only about a general impression.
The timeline is as follows: Georgia attacked South Ossetia to restore
its "territorial integrity", and afterwards Russia attacked Georgia
but not to save the Ossetians (which would be natural), but to weaken
the Georgian state, to bring it to its knees, and maybe also to
destroy it. [Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s behaviour is, of
course, an adventure. One needs not to be a political or state
official to understand that a) Russia would respond to the attack on
Tskhinvali in precisely that way; b) Georgia cannot win a war against
Russia using its own forces; and c) neither NATO, nor the EU, nor the
USA will engage in hostilities against Russia "for Georgia’s sake" or
start the third world war. If Saakashvili did not understand these
basic things, then it only remains to condole with our neighbouring
people for having such a president.
Russia’s behaviour is outstanding for its cruelty and cynicism. This,
in essence, is a flexing of imperial "muscles" – concealed under the
unconvincing rhetoric of "peacekeeping". Waging hostilities on
Georgia’s whole territory, in particular bombing areas quite far from
Ossetia (including the Georgian capital), as well as ousting the
Georgian troops from the Kodori Gorge "at odd moments" cannot be
justified by any "humanitarian" purposes. All of this is accompanied
by unprecedented brainwashing on Russian TV channels which present
very one-sided information. The Armenians coming back from their
holidays in [the Georgian region of] Ajaria say that the local
population curses Russians: the irresponsible leaders of the two sides
[Russia and Georgia] seem to have managed to finally cause enmity
between the two (equally friendly for us) people.
Armenia’s official position, should, naturally, be totally
neutral. The government has to ensure a quick and safe return of
Armenian residents who still remain in Georgia. I believe that our
country should provide asylum to both Russian tourists leaving Georgia
and Georgian refugees. After the end of the war – [should] help the
neighbouring state [Georgia] to quickly restore the Poti port
[Georgian port via which Armenia receives freights] and everything
that is connected with our economy.
[translated]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
