[G. Stolyarov II]

I think that the United States has legitimate concerns with the behavior of the Putin regime-- which is trying to carve parts off of Georgia simply because it disapproves of Georgia's new government. Moreover, the Putin regime is reasserting a socialistic style of economic management-- consolidating ever more industries under state control. The U.S. should actively encourage economic liberalization and individual liberty in Russia and neighboring countries-- which means confronting the Putin regime diplomatically and issuing ultimata when necessary. It also means protecting persecuted entrepreneurs and dissenters when possible.

I am
G. Stolyarov II
http://www.panasianbiz.com

[RusIvan]

I think that the United States has legitimate concerns with the behavior of the Putin regime-- which is trying to carve parts off of Georgia simply because it disapproves of Georgia's new government. ==

Those parts of Georgia became Gorgia under order of Josef Stalin. In 1992-3 those pats liked to become free of Georgia. Then Gorgia waged 2 wars to bring them bakc but failed both. Today Georgia doesn't rule Abkhazia and S.Osetia.

So if we accept Montenegro and Kosovo independence from Serbia then we should accept same independence Abkhazia and S.Osetia from Georgia. If we are for fair and equality of cause. If we selfish hypocrites then not.

[lucysmom]

The U.S. should actively encourage economic liberalization...

We did, they listened - Yeltsin's economic advisors were from the Hoover Institute. It just doesn't work out in real life like it does on paper.