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A Path To Peace In The Caucasus (Mikhail Gorbachev Presents Russia's Case Alert)
Washington Post ^ | 8/12/2008 | Mikhail Gorbachev

Posted on 08/11/2008 9:32:35 PM PDT by goldstategop

MOSCOW -- The past week's events in South Ossetia are bound to shock and pain anyone. Already, thousands of people have died, tens of thousands have been turned into refugees, and towns and villages lie in ruins. Nothing can justify this loss of life and destruction. It is a warning to all.

The roots of this tragedy lie in the decision of Georgia's separatist leaders in 1991 to abolish South Ossetian autonomy. This turned out to be a time bomb for Georgia's territorial integrity. Each time successive Georgian leaders tried to impose their will by force -- both in South Ossetia and in Abkhazia, where the issues of autonomy are similar -- it only made the situation worse. New wounds aggravated old injuries.

Nevertheless, it was still possible to find a political solution. For some time, relative calm was maintained in South Ossetia. The peacekeeping force composed of Russians, Georgians and Ossetians fulfilled its mission, and ordinary Ossetians and Georgians, who live close to each other, found at least some common ground.

Through all these years, Russia has continued to recognize Georgia's territorial integrity. Clearly, the only way to solve the South Ossetian problem on that basis is through peaceful means. Indeed, in a civilized world, there is no other way. ad_icon

The Georgian leadership flouted this key principle.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: geopolitics; georgia; mikhailgorbachev; russsia; southossetia; washingtonpost
Mikhail Gorbachev presents Russia's perspective on the Georgian crisis - and offers proposals for an eventual political settlement.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

1 posted on 08/11/2008 9:32:35 PM PDT by goldstategop
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To: goldstategop

It helps to read this article with the Darth Vader theme playing in the background.


2 posted on 08/11/2008 9:36:40 PM PDT by XR7
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To: XR7

“It helps to read this article with the Darth Vader theme playing in the background.”

Actually as I was reading the article prior to seeing your post, I had the theme from “JAWS” running through my brain.


3 posted on 08/11/2008 9:39:45 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Say Obama were "Pinky", Then who is "The Brain"?)
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To: XR7
Gorbachev is not that popular in Russia. He's remembered not making the Soviet Union a free society but for its eventual destruction which left Russia impoverished, humiliated and powerless - until now. I do not think Russia's leaders will listen to him any more than they take heed of counsel from the West. Just some historical retrospective here.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

4 posted on 08/11/2008 9:39:56 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: XR7

Scumbag Gorby rouses from his Frisco Hole.


5 posted on 08/11/2008 9:41:33 PM PDT by redstateconfidential (A man who lets his friends down, is no man at all.)
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To: redstateconfidential
He's quite moderate compared to his successors. He saw common ground could be made with the West; they do not. Gorbachev represents an era that came to a close a few days ago.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

6 posted on 08/11/2008 9:44:22 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop

On Wednesday’s The Situation Room on CNN, during his regular “Cafferty File” segment, Jack Cafferty quoted Mikhail Gorbachev’s recent attack on the Bush Administration in which the former Soviet leader accused the U.S. of “arrogance” and of having “lost credibility” in response to President Bush’s plans to deploy a missile defense system in Europe. Cafferty asked viewers to email him with a response to the question of whether Bush was “reigniting the Cold War with Russia.” Cafferty: “This is just swell, don’t you think? We’ve got trouble with Russia now, which we haven’t had for a number of years. The question is this: Is President Bush reigniting the Cold War with Russia?” (Transcript follows)

Cafferty opened the segment: “Wolf, ‘The U.S.’s plans to build a missile defense shield in Europe are arrogant and threaten to usher in a new Cold War.’ Those are the words of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.” He soon cited the former communist leader’s contention that “70 percent of the Czech people don’t want the missile shield in their country” before further quoting Gorbachev’s charge that the U.S. has “lost credibility in the world.” Cafferty: “Gorbachev also says this: ‘There is the possibility that self-confidence, arrogance will lead to a situation similar to that with the war in Iraq. The United States is driving itself into a corner. They’ve lost credibility in the world,’ unquote.”

When Cafferty returned at the end of the 5:00 hour to read viewer emails, most of which were anti-Bush, he not only found amusement over one viewer’s comparison of a U.S. plan for a system in Europe to fend off Iran to a Russian system in Canada to fend off Mexico, as he chuckled slightly at the suggestion, but he also mildly imitated President Bush as he read one viewer’s rendition of a conversation between Bush and Vladimir Putin.

Below is a transcript of Cafferty’s segment which aired at 5:08 p.m. on the June 6 The Situation Room, followed by a transcript of his reading of email responses from viewers, which aired shortly before 6:00 p.m.:

JACK CAFFERTY, at 5:08 p.m.: Wolf, “The U.S.’s plans to build a missile defense shield in Europe are arrogant and threaten to usher in a new Cold War.” Those are the words of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. He believes that putting these anti-missile sites in Poland and the Czech Republic will make Europe a target again. And he points out that polls show that 70 percent of the Czech people don’t want the missile shield in their country. Gorbachev also says this: “There is the possibility that self-confidence, arrogance will lead to a situation similar to that with the war in Iraq. The United States is driving itself into a corner. They’ve lost credibility in the world,” unquote. Mikhail Gorbachev.

CAFFERTY: Meantime, President Bush insists the Cold War’s over. He told reporters in Germany today that Russia’s not going to attack Europe, that despite President Vladimir Putin’s recent threats to retarget missiles on Europe if the U.S. goes ahead with its anti-missile shield plan, which is apparently meant to protect Europe from Iran. Mr. Bush said Russia’s not an enemy, although he once again criticized Russia’s checkered past on democratic reforms and human rights. For his part, Putin has accused the U.S. of starting a new arms race. This is just swell, don’t you think? We’ve got trouble with Russia now, which we haven’t had for a number of years. The question is this: Is President Bush reigniting the Cold War with Russia?

...


7 posted on 08/11/2008 9:51:55 PM PDT by redstateconfidential (A man who lets his friends down, is no man at all.)
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To: goldstategop
Rah rah, rebuild the Soviet Union — Isn't that what he is really saying?

Anybody see Obambi and his 'deer in the headlights' stammering, stuttering speech vainly searching for a thought, about the Russia issue? Man is this guy dumb. It sure instilled a whole lot of confidence that he knew what he was doing — NOT!. Obambi needs to go sit down, he simply isn't ready for prime time.

8 posted on 08/11/2008 9:54:16 PM PDT by Tarpon (Ignorance, the most expensive commodity produced by mankind.)
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To: goldstategop
Uh, there was a reason that American liberals fawned over Gorbie.
9 posted on 08/11/2008 10:14:28 PM PDT by Sam Gamgee (May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't. - Patton)
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To: goldstategop

I hope Gorb means it. I wouldn’t want to see the war escalate and despite the claims going back and forth — new imperialism vs protection of interests — I hope they can amicably work it out to the interests of all parties.


10 posted on 08/11/2008 10:19:31 PM PDT by Blind Eye Jones
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To: goldstategop

Very skilled in ugly twisting of the situation.


11 posted on 08/12/2008 12:03:15 AM PDT by MarMema (Tavisuplebas dideba!)
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To: goldstategop
The Georgian military attacked the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali with multiple rocket launchers designed to devastate large areas.

If that's true, that's a point that should not be lost in the debate. Attacking and then claiming victimhood is a pretty common trick around the world.

12 posted on 08/12/2008 12:07:26 AM PDT by Our man in washington
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To: goldstategop

The scumbag murderer Gorbachev should be executed for his role in the Soviet crimes. Russia can’t find a better advocate than this communist P.O.S.?


13 posted on 08/12/2008 12:10:25 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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