No they were not, the separatists, who were the only ones who voted, voted for independence. What Putin is doing is creating a Russian empire and trying to absorb Georgia by force.
And, IMHO, he will succeed.
But this is clear imperialism.
NOpe
“South Ossetian refugees on Sunday described being shelled and shot at and forced to run for their lives — leaving homes, family members and most of what they had behind. They talked of hiding in the woods, being mocked by Georgian soldiers and passing the dead on the roadside.”
“Kulumbegova ... like many other South Ossetians has become embittered toward the Georgians.
“He always talked of the Georgians as ‘our brothers,’” she said. “But now he doesn’t say that any more.”
Many Ossetians say they believe the United States supported Georgia’s use of military force to try to restore Georgian rule in South Ossetia.”
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iJ9IRmTvOK0ZfH1k2_SLbrR1lyRQD92FILAG0
When a country gets to the size whereby it can’t contain its own growth (militarilly, financially, etc) they move outside of their borders to find fresh grass on which to graze, as it were.
Russia got a kicking, by itself more than anyone else, but clearly its now back and flexing its muscles. I would be amazed if Russia though tries to take Georgia. My guess is they are just hsowing whose boss.
As a neutral, whats the difference between Kosovo declaring independence, and what the South Ossetians have said. Both ethnics groupings, with very different cultures to that of the state they are within. Much like Iraqi Kurdistan I guess. The Ossetians would unite into one country (North with South), and then get subsumed into the Russian Federation. I don’t see anyone who is going to stop it either.
I’m just glad Georgia isn’t yet a member of NATO. That mutual defence clause would have really put us in a bind!