Russia backs independence of Georgian enclaves

News Type: Event — Seeded on Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:56 PM EDT

Article Source: International Herald Tribune

Russia on Tuesday recognized the independence of two enclaves that have long sought to secede from neighboring Georgia. The action deepened strains with the West over the conflict in the economically vital crossroads of the Caucasus and roiled a broader debate over how to respond to separatist movements around the world.

Published to:

O-K's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: none
Regions: none

What's this?

Who's leading the conversation?

This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user has on the current conversation. The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera). Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the left, in their corresponding group. Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.

6.5

{"commentId":2601233,"authorDomain":"O-K"}

O-K

The Russian decision was intended to consolidate its political and military gains in the two and a half weeks since it invaded Georgia after hostilities flared over the breakaway territory of South Ossetia, an ally of Moscow.

The Russian president, Dmitri Medvedev, declared in a nationally televised address that South Ossetia and the other pro-Russian enclave, Abkhazia, would never again have to endure what he described as oppressive Georgian rule.

"This is not an easy choice, but it is the only way to save the lives of people," Medvedev said.

{"commentId":2601233,"threadId":"340852","contentId":"1790096","authorDomain":"O-K"}

1 vote

#1 - Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":2601280,"authorDomain":"O-K"}

O-K

Georgia has lost 25% of its territory, forever.

{"commentId":2601280,"threadId":"340852","contentId":"1790096","authorDomain":"O-K"}

1 vote

#2 - Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:00 AM EDT

{"commentId":2601779,"authorDomain":"sedekka"}

Sedekka

Georgia may have lost 25% of their territory. But Iraq lost all of theirs. And yet no one seems concerned.

{"commentId":2601779,"threadId":"340852","contentId":"1790096","authorDomain":"sedekka"}

2 votes

#2.1 - Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:42 AM EDT

{"commentId":2602722,"authorDomain":"xanthiana"}

Xanthiana

Georgia has lost 25% of its territory, forever.

They gambled and unluckily for Georgia it didn't pay of, luckily for the break away regions it did. Since these regions were autonomous, I am not sure how bad the effect on Georgia will be. Also the UN will have to agree with it first. I think the Cyprus thing with Turkey shows well what happens if only one country supports independence.

{"commentId":2602722,"threadId":"340852","contentId":"1790096","authorDomain":"xanthiana"}

1 vote

#2.2 - Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:43 AM EDT

{"commentId":2602782,"authorDomain":"sedekka"}

Sedekka

Xan yeah you're right. But let's face it. Who the hell trusts the UN these days? They did nothing when bush invaded Iraq. They to me are a wasted space. Their offices could be used for better things. Let's say. Housing homeless children, housing women who have suffered domestic violence. Oh you know Xan. The list is endless. I've seen these idiots on TV and all they do is sit around a table speaking dribble. And wasn't the last UN leader involved in some sort of scandal with his son? Yeah we can really trust this mob. NOT!!!

{"commentId":2602782,"threadId":"340852","contentId":"1790096","authorDomain":"sedekka"}

1 vote

#2.3 - Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:54 AM EDT

{"commentId":2602928,"authorDomain":"xanthiana"}

Xanthiana

Dunno, I like the UN! The UN is just about the only place they all come together to talk. A restructuring of it, so they could act faster, would be an advantage, but the idea is not bad in itself.

Russia for example just severed ties and stopped talks with the NATO. McCain pushes for Russia to be excluded from the G8 ... And the more Russia will be isolated the less they propably will care about the rest of the world. So once again UN serves a purpose, keep Russia tied to the rest of the world.

{"commentId":2602928,"threadId":"340852","contentId":"1790096","authorDomain":"xanthiana"}

1 vote

#2.4 - Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:21 AM EDT

{"commentId":2602991,"authorDomain":"sedekka"}

Sedekka

Xan. You said it. All they do is talk. How about a bit of action. As the old saying goes 'Action speaks louder than words'. mccain can't push Russia out of the G8. Russia has too many allies. I for one like Russia.

{"commentId":2602991,"threadId":"340852","contentId":"1790096","authorDomain":"sedekka"}

1 vote

#2.5 - Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:36 AM EDT

{"commentId":2603042,"authorDomain":"xanthiana"}

Xanthiana

All they do is talk. How about a bit of action

What exactly would you like them to do then? The yhave peacekeepers around the globe and such things.

mccain can't push Russia out of the G8.

Him trying won't help in bettering relations though.

{"commentId":2603042,"threadId":"340852","contentId":"1790096","authorDomain":"xanthiana"}

1 vote

#2.6 - Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:48 AM EDT

{"commentId":2603171,"authorDomain":"sedekka"}

Sedekka

Xan. mccain is nothing but an old busybody. As for action. Well how about they start by stopping the slaughter in Dafur and the many other nations they won't help. Zimbabwia. And the many other countries that need action and not words.

{"commentId":2603171,"threadId":"340852","contentId":"1790096","authorDomain":"sedekka"}

2 votes

#2.7 - Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:25 AM EDT

{"commentId":2687535,"authorDomain":"O-K"}

O-K

Thanks to you. Good discussion.

{"commentId":2687535,"threadId":"340852","contentId":"1790096","authorDomain":"O-K"}

1 vote

#3 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 10:16 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"340852","isPrivate":false}

O-K

Backyard

Russia backs independence of Georgian enclaves

Published to:

FUN STUFF:

COMPANY STUFF:

LEGAL STUFF: