THOMAS HOLTZ: "WASHINGTON’S REACTION TO EVENTS IN SOUTH OSSETIA WAS NOT JUST LATE. IT SHOWED THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT INITIATE THE THIRD WORLD WAR FOR GEORGIA"
Today.Az
olitics/47018.html
Aug 18 2008
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with Thomas Holtz, University Montana professor and
famous US journalist.
– You are now is Georgia. What do you think of the developments around
South Ossetia, as a specialist on the Caucasus?
– This is a real disaster for Georgia, for the region and the whole
world. I would like to note that Russia carried it actions not only
in South Ossetia. I think, it was a trap, while the real "fish" was
Abkhazia, as well as Georgia’s reorientation (and thus, Azerbaijan’s)
from West to North, that is to Russia.
– Most people call the developments as the action, the Kremlin had
planned in advance. Why does it happen now?
– As I have mentioned above, Russia’s intention was to use
"humanitarian interference" with South Ossetia as a cause for greater
reorientation of the regional powers and for sending a clear message
to idiots in Washington that days of Russia’s maltreating have come
to an end.
You ask why does it happen now? It is comfortable and it is possible to
state that an agreement on the missile shield with Poland has become
the last drop following the developments in Kosovo, US campaign in
Iraq, NATO expansion and so on.
– Do you agree that Washington’s reaction to the events was late and
too soft?
– Along with being late, the main issue is that Russia’s actions
revealed a simple fact: the United States did not react at all, except
for the threat of the third world war for Georgia, which the United
States was not going to hold, regardless of Georgia’s expectations.
– But events revealed that Russia’s actions affected US interests
as well. BTC pipeline, which is of strategic concern for the United
States, was attacked by Russia. Can the United States further join
provision of security of regional energy projects?
– This is a good question, which concerns most people in Washington
at the present time. It is frustrating as it brings economic problems
above humanitarian once. If oil is really more important than the
principles, then, I am sure that those who wish to ensure the oil flow
by any means, will create conditions for it to happen, regardless of
who rules Tbilisi now.
– Will the events in Georgia influence its accession to NATO?
– The idea that Georgia may now join NATO is completely
insane. Perhaps, it has always been insane, which is also a part of
the tragedy: fantasy has won over the reality and ordinary people
have to pay for it.
– Can Georgian events influence Azerbaijan and the resolution of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
– I would have prefered not to answer this question but still I will
answer. Certainly, there is an interconnection between the conflicts
in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia and Nagorno Karabakh conflict
in Georgia. The lesson is that the winner will need to get Russia’s
support.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
