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Russia seizes Georgia base, opens second front
AP ^ | Aug 11, 2008 | MISHA DZHINDZHIKHASHVILI

Posted on 08/11/2008 8:16:28 AM PDT by Jeff Head

TBILISI, Georgia — Russia opened a second front of fighting in Georgia on Monday, sending armored vehicles beyond two breakaway provinces and seizing a military base and police stations in the country's west, the Georgian government and a Russian official said.

GEORGIAN FORCES

RUSSIAN FORCES


(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: caucasus; energy; geopolitics; georgia; georgianconflict; russia; russianinvasion; southossetia; war
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To: pgkdan

Yes, our allies would get a clear message and Russia would as well. That’s a terrible combination.

Thanks for your note of agreement.


261 posted on 08/11/2008 10:35:00 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (We're a non Soros non lefitst supporting maverick Gang of 2, who won't be voting for McCain.)
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To: kristinn


The Big Question: Will the presumptive Democratic
candidate for president speak out?

.


262 posted on 08/11/2008 10:36:17 AM PDT by OESY
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To: UCANSEE2

I think you’re seeing things very clearly, frankly. Oh how I wish this were not happening... I was afraid of this for a while now.


263 posted on 08/11/2008 10:36:23 AM PDT by LibertyRocks (LR's BLOG: http://libertyrocks.wordpress.com)
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To: Texas Federalist

You and I sure agree on that. I will tell you though, there are some folks who have convinced themselves that he’s a great orator. Based on what, I don’t know.


264 posted on 08/11/2008 10:36:23 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (We're a non Soros non lefitst supporting maverick Gang of 2, who won't be voting for McCain.)
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To: autumnraine

“Russia is helping us with Iran...”

What a joke! Does anyone really think Russia is helping with Iran?


265 posted on 08/11/2008 10:36:54 AM PDT by demshateGod (the GOP is dead to me)
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To: autumnraine

What’s BUSH waiting for. He should have left the Olympics the minute the Russians entered Georgia. Its time to start talking to the Turks and firing up some American Planes over Georgia.

Tell the Russians that they can protect Russians, but we and the Turks will help out with keeping the peace in Georgia and insure that Georgia’s sovereignty is maintained.


266 posted on 08/11/2008 10:36:55 AM PDT by Schwarzeneger
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To: Mo1

Good, I’m glad. We’re in agreement here. Take care.


267 posted on 08/11/2008 10:37:31 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (We're a non Soros non lefitst supporting maverick Gang of 2, who won't be voting for McCain.)
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To: Mr Rogers

Not just on this, but on the domestic drilling issue as well.

I feel like every one of our leaders has bailed, except the few remaining Congressmen in revolt.


268 posted on 08/11/2008 10:37:55 AM PDT by autumnraine
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To: Mo1

Reuters confirming on the ground. Interesting.


269 posted on 08/11/2008 10:38:29 AM PDT by commonguymd (A de facto single party country is nigh. The partisan bickering is a mere bilking mechanism.)
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To: pgkdan

“Inaction on our part at this point will destroy the faith and confidence of our remaining allies. “

Our enemies will certainly do their part to make the most out of any ‘inaction’. (that includes the MSM)


270 posted on 08/11/2008 10:38:31 AM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: DoughtyOne

President Bush needs to make it clear that the U.S. will respond militarily should Russia take over Georgia. But only after he makes a strong effort to avoid war. His presence in Tblisi tonight or tomorrow would tell the Russians how utterly serious we take this. Anything less and Tblisi falls by the end of the week.


271 posted on 08/11/2008 10:39:20 AM PDT by kristinn
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To: Mo1
Here is what I would say:

The invasion of the sovereign state of Georgia is primarily a European matter. The United States stands ready to carry out its NATO responsibilities fully if NATO and the EU decide to take leadership and oppose this aggression.

The United States recognizes the historical parallels of the decisions facing Europe today and the United States promises not to tarry, or be late in responding if Europe and NATO determines to reverse this aggression.

Obviously I will never be President. But Europe broiled us alive for LEADING in the War on Terror. Now the threat is directly aimed at their heart and THEY must either lead in a united manner or replay the Sudetenland. They have rejected our leadership and stood against us at every turn....now it is their turn to take the reins...or not.


272 posted on 08/11/2008 10:39:26 AM PDT by Arkinsaw
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To: cripplecreek

Poland, 1939.


273 posted on 08/11/2008 10:40:16 AM PDT by RobRoy (This is comical)
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To: Schwarzeneger

I’m sure Ronald Reagan is rolling over in his grave.


274 posted on 08/11/2008 10:41:46 AM PDT by Schwarzeneger
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To: DonaldC

They are being idiots by claiming what is their territory?

If Mexico claimed border town in Texas or Arizona, would we be “idiots” for fighting them?


275 posted on 08/11/2008 10:42:05 AM PDT by autumnraine
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To: DoughtyOne
Here's most of McCain's comments/speach on the issue today.

Americans wishing to spend August vacationing with their families or watching the Olympics may wonder why their newspapers and television screens are filled with images of war in the small country of Georgia. Concerns about what occurs there might seem distant and unrelated to the many other interests America has around the world. And yet Russian aggression against Georgia is both a matter of urgent moral and strategic importance to the United States of America.

"Georgia is an ancient country, at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and one of the world’s first nations to adopt Christianity as an official religion. After a brief period of independence following the Russian revolution, the Red Army forced Georgia to join the Soviet Union in 1922. As the Soviet Union crumbled at the end of the Cold War, Georgia regained its independence in 1991, but its early years were marked by instability, corruption, and economic crises.

"Following fraudulent parliamentary elections in 2003, a peaceful, democratic revolution took place, led by the U.S.-educated lawyer Mikheil Saakashvili. The Rose Revolution changed things dramatically and, following his election, President Saakashvili embarked on a series of wide-ranging and successful reforms. I’ve met with President Saakashvili many times, including during several trips to Georgia.

"What the people of Georgia have accomplished – in terms of democratic governance, a Western orientation, and domestic reform – is nothing short of remarkable. That makes Russia’s recent actions against the Georgians all the more alarming. In the face of Russian aggression, the very existence of independent Georgia – and the survival of its democratically-elected government – are at stake.

"In recent days Moscow has sent its tanks and troops across the internationally recognized border into the Georgian region of South Ossetia. Statements by Moscow that it was merely aiding the Ossetians are belied by reports of Russian troops in the region of Abkhazia, repeated Russian bombing raids across Georgia, and reports of a de facto Russian naval blockade of the Georgian coast. Whatever tensions and hostilities might have existed between Georgians and Ossetians, they in no way justify Moscow’s path of violent aggression. Russian actions, in clear violation of international law, have no place in 21st century Europe.

"The implications of Russian actions go beyond their threat to the territorial integrity and independence of a democratic Georgia. Russia is using violence against Georgia, in part, to intimidate other neighbors – such as Ukraine – for choosing to associate with the West and adhering to Western political and economic values. As such, the fate of Georgia should be of grave concern to Americans and all people who welcomed the end of a divided of Europe, and the independence of former Soviet republics. The international response to this crisis will determine how Russia manages its relationships with other neighbors. We have other important strategic interests at stake in Georgia, especially the continued flow of oil through the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which Russia attempted to bomb in recent days; the operation of a critical communication and trade route from Georgia through Azerbaijan and Central Asia; and the integrity and influence of NATO, whose members reaffirmed last April the territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Georgia.

"Yesterday Georgia withdrew its troops from South Ossetia and offered a ceasefire. The Russians responded by bombing the civilian airport in Georgia’s capital, Tblisi, and by stepping up its offensive in Abkhazia. This pattern of attack appears aimed not at restoring any status quo ante in South Ossetia, but rather at toppling the democratically elected government of Georgia. This should be unacceptable to all the democratic countries of the world, and should draw us together in universal condemnation of Russian aggression.

"Russian President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin must understand the severe, long-term negative consequences that their government’s actions will have for Russia’s relationship with the U.S. and Europe.

The Obama camp has bee practically silent on it...but, of course, we have to remember that Obama is on vacation and probably shouldn't be disturbed.
276 posted on 08/11/2008 10:42:19 AM PDT by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: r9etb
I stated a fact. If you can't handle it, that's your problem. To call it bitching or moaning is absolutely stupid. Address your stupid comments to someone else.
277 posted on 08/11/2008 10:42:46 AM PDT by isrul (Help make every day, "Disrespect a muzzie day.")
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To: Schwarzeneger
Its time to start talking to the Turks and firing up some American Planes over Georgia.

Tell the Russians that they can protect Russians, but we and the Turks will help out with keeping the peace in Georgia and insure that Georgia’s sovereignty is maintained.

Exactly.

278 posted on 08/11/2008 10:44:09 AM PDT by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: kristinn
Russia Forces Move to Within 35 Miles of Tbilisi. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say 'game over'.
279 posted on 08/11/2008 10:44:11 AM PDT by McGruff (Georgia = friend. Russia = enemy.)
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To: kristinn

Thank you for your additional thoughts Kristinn.


280 posted on 08/11/2008 10:46:13 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (We're a non Soros non lefitst supporting maverick Gang of 2, who won't be voting for McCain.)
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