Russian jets bomb Georgian airbase - Tbilisi

Reuters ^ | 08 Aug 2008 | Reporting by Matt Robinson, editing by Tim Pearce

[Grzegorz 246]

TBILISI, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Russian jets bombed the Vaziani military airbase outside the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Friday, a senior Georgian security official told Reuters.

"No one was wounded but some buildings have been destroyed," said Kakha Lamaia. The airbase is some 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Tbilisi.

"They have declared war against us," said Lamaia.

[Jeff Head]

Texas showed them this week what would become of such an attempt.

[tumblindice]

“And we always have fun doing it. Hoo-yah!”

[bd476]

This is not good news.

[flyfree]

Asked whether Georgia and Russia were now at war, he said, “My country is in self-defense against Russian aggression. Russian troops invaded Georgia.”

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/08/georgia.ossetia/index.html

[Jeff Head]

Not good developements at all.

Georgia fighting seperatists, Russia now directly militarily involved, Russia bombing Georgian air base, Gerogia shooting down Russian aircraft, Russian tank column moving into Georgia...we have troops in Gerogia training the Georgian forces.

Very great potential for a very ugly situation.

[VOR78]

Yep. If the Georgians can’t kick the Russians out, this could turn really nasty really quick. Georgia has one of the largest coalition forces in Iraq, with 2,400 troops.

This presents an obvious dilemma to the US. Do we just throw Georgia under the bus and let Russia run right over them? If we do, we’re hypocrites. They’ve helped us. If we do fight, we risk WW3.

Not a good situation at all.

[bd476]

Any word on when the 200,000 protestors will march in Paris? Are the Dixie Chicks booked yet for the protest concert in London? /sarcasm

[Riodacat]

I'm sure our State Dept will send the obligatory note of protest..
Other than that, there's SFA we can and will do...

[Riodacat]

Do we just throw Georgia under the bus and let Russia run right over them?

Yep, pretty much...

[Jeff Head]

I don't think so. Georgia has been one of the most steadfast and strong supporters in iraq...they have 2400 soldiers there.

We have troops in Goergia training them and who are apt to be in hars way very qickly.

I cannot see us standing by and letting Gerogia get rolled over. Europe would be foolish to allow it as well.

[VOR78]

That’s probably what I would do as well. Crappy, but not worth the risk.

[sanchmo]

“Medvedev made a statement that Russia will protect it’s citizens wherever they are located”

and they conveniently started hnding out Russian passports in SO recently. whatta koinkidink.

[demshateGod]

“Go Bulldogs!”

LOL!

[VOR78]

I can see both sides of it. On one hand, Georgia itself is not worth the risk. But as you say, they’ve been a strong ally in Iraq and it would *very* bad to our other allies if the US did not assist this one in its time of need.

And if we do nothing, does it embolden Russia to consider re-taking its former possessions in Eastern Europe? Given the fact that they’ve been bullying them in recent years, it would not surprise me.

[bd476]

cartan wrote: "Everybody relax: Angela Merkel has just demanded “an immediate end of all fighting.“

ROFL!

On second thought, better Merkel than the old best friend of

[Gondring]

This is true - Russia has the moral edge here: we bombed the cr*p out of Serbia for doing exactly what Georgia is doing.

Of course we were wrong then, and Russia is wrong now. Serbia/Georgia is a sovereign state and has the right to deal with internal revolt. But we will need to acknowledge how badly we screwed over Serbia when Russia points out the parallels - as they surely will.

Logic? Tsk, tsk...

[Canedawg]

Ever notice how the Russians always seem to go ape during the Olympics?”

Roid rage?

[Justa]

"Also, if people are looking for a “moral equivalency,” stop pointing to Serbia. The “moral equivalency” is Russia/Chechnya."

Oil and money are industrial-strength solvents for morality.

[Red_Devil 232]

The U.S. personel at the training center left the country a few days ago.