Russian tanks 'rolling into Georgian breakaway'

CNN ^

[PurpleMan]

Russian television Friday showed a convoy of Russian tanks and said they were heading into the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia as escalating tensions over the region threatened to boil into full blown conflict.

[Justa]

Hmmm, I believe if the US allocates the same sorts of resources brought online for Yugonam that Georgian territorial integrity will be preserved. ‘Just saying.

[LibLieSlayer]

I did the same thing and I agree with you 100%.

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

Amen!!! Well stated!

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

I wish that I knew what he was thinking... but he seems never to step up and let his supporters know anything.

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

It was not sarcasm... Bush has an IQ of 158 and people that I respect, such as Rush, have stated that one-on-one... it is overtly clear that this man is a thinker... a deeply smart man... which makes some of his decisions so impossible to understand.

LLS

[Rick.Donaldson]

At 11:00 President Bush “demanded” an immediate cease fire.

I don’t think much else happened...

[Rick.Donaldson]

For those that keep asking... read all the way to the bottom

Russia, Georgia, South Ossetia involve in armed conflict

http://english.hotnews.ro/stiri-top_...d-conflict.htm

de Radu Rizea HotNews.ro
Vineri, 8 august 2008, 10:37 English | Top News

Russian aircraft bombed on Friday morning targets on Georgian soil, after the Georgian soldiers attacked earlier in the morning the Russian peacekeeping troops. The Russian planes launched two bombs near a Police station, while other three planes bombed another target. The air strike comes as a response to the military offensive Georgia launched against the South Ossetia capital city, Thinvali, during which at least 15 casualties were recorded.

Georgian Re-integration Minister said that the Georgian troops don’t intend to take over the city, but only to neutralize the separatist groups.

The United Nations’ Security Council meets in order to discuss the situation. The gathering was called upon by Russia.

The military operation launched by Georgia aims at recovering the control over the separatist republic of South Ossetia. Sources say that the Georgian troops also opened fire against Russian peacekeeping troops.

In Moscow, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that the aggression against Ossetia will see a response.

Georgian president Mikhail Saakasvili announced a general mobilization of the reserve troops, whom he asked to “defend the state”. In a TV interview, Saakasvili asked Russia to stop bombing Georgian cities. According to the head of state, Georgian troops are now in control of over half of the South Ossetia localities.

UPDATE:
* 11:50h - Russian Foreign Ministry denies the involvement of Russian planes in Georgia
* 11:20h - The UN Security Council failed to adopt a common statement about the conflict
* 11:10h - Reuters informs that the Russian peacekeeping troops suffered several casualties
* 11:00h -American president George W. Bush demands an immediate cease fire

[Frank_Discussion]

Self-Ping for later...

[bcsco]

Here's an interesting and related thread (on the energy issue)...

Understanding Why Bush Has No Control Over Drilling Moratorium & Why It Does Not “Expire”.

[sanchmo]

South Ossetia seems to more in common with Russia than with Georgia.
Replace the words South Ossetia, Russia and Georgia with the words Southern California, Mexico and the US.

[eraser2005]

“Since the problem is most likely Islamic in nature, and probably Iranian backed”

????

Georgia is 83.8% Eastern Orthodox.
Most of South Ossetia (over 75%) is Eastern Orthodox.

[AFPhys]

Georgia has always been a difficult area for Russia. It is going to continue to be interesting, and those who think the US ought to get involved in this are jumping the gun, I believe.

As of now, I have no opinion about the situation.

[SolidWood]

Since the problem is most likely Islamic in nature,

No. Majority Christian Ossetians ( a few sunnis) with Christian Russian backing against Christian Georgia. Islam is a non-factor in this conflict.

and probably Iranian backed...

No. Iran is a major international troublemaker but they have nothing to do with this conflict. Who do you suggest is Iran backing here? We shouldn't overestimate Iran and refrain from starting to suspect them everywhere, even in places where they haven't actually their fingers in. Russia is behind Ossetia and Russia is also the actual force backing Iran. Russia is the troublemaker N°1. The only thing that is remotely Iranian in this conflict is the fact that Ossetians are ethnically more or less distant relatives to Iranians. But they are Christian mostly with few Sunnis, so nothing in common with the Shia Persians.

[redgolum]

For later self review and update.

Anyone know how closs our guys are to the action?

[LibLieSlayer]

Thanks... I’ll read it this evening!

LLS

[redgolum]

Bush should be on a plane, now, and heading for either the UN or NORAD (Offut AFB if the balloon really goes up).

But I suspect he and Putin will sip drinks and watch the show.

[TheThinker]

According to the article (which can’t be posted on FR), Putin has talked to Bush...they’re both at the Olympics.

Then there's something very important Putin wants. If he gets it he'll call back the Russian army.

[brytlea]

I’ve had the news on all day and so far haven’t heard anything about this. It may have been mentioned in passing (I’m doing other things and may have missed it) but this sounds like a STORY—yet they still blather on about Joel Osteen’s wife and the no news on that little girl in Orlando.

susie

[dr_who]

It’s become a little more than that.

[brytlea]

I am not up to snuff, why are there Russian Peacekeeping Troops there?
susie