Putin: War has started

Spectator wire services
Saturday, Aug 9, 2008

GORI, Georgia — Russia conducted airstrikes on Georgian targets tonight, escalating the conflict in a separatist area of Georgia that is shaping into a test of the power and military reach of an emboldened Kremlin.

Earlier in the day, Russian troops and armoured vehicles had rolled into South Ossetia, supporting the breakaway region in its bitter conflict with Georgia.

The United States and other Western nations, joined by NATO, condemned the violence and demanded a cease-fire. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice went a step further, calling on Russia to withdraw its forces. But the Russian soldiers remained, and Georgian officials reported at least one airstrike, on the Black Sea port of Poti, late tonight.

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Neither side showed any indication of backing down. Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin of Russia declared that “war has started,” and President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia accused Russia of a “well-planned invasion” and mobilized Georgia’s military reserves.
There were signs as well of a cyber-warfare campaign against Georgia, as Georgian government websites were crashing intermittently during the day.

The escalation risked igniting a renewed and sustained conflict in the Caucasus region, an important conduit for the flow of oil from the Caspian Sea to world markets and an area where conflict has flared for years along Russia’s borders, most recently in Chechnya.
The military incursion into Georgia marked a fresh sign of Kremlin confidence and resolve, and also provided a test of the capacities of the Russian military, which Putin had tried to modernize and re-equip during his two presidential terms.

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6 Responses to “Putin: War has started”

1. Mike Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 6:03 am

   http://georgiandaily.com/index.....mp;lang=ka

   Good article detailing the US Senate was warned this could happen and one reason (Oil Pipeline) was given.

   Also check http://www.senate.gov/foreign/.....0612p.html

2. Karmakaze Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 6:33 am

   Funny how no one mentions the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo and the Russians warning that it would lead to conflicts such as this….

3. JEH Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 11:05 am

   What a shame that the Georgian “president” has suicided his army in a foolish attempt to murder civilians he claims are part of Georgia. He just wants to use all the bombs and weapons supplied by the US so he can play his war game. He is now another leader of a US sponsored terrorist state. Welcome to the west!

4. Howard Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 11:13 am

   It’s nice to see the freemason Putin tear himself away from his drug and sodom-fest with Bush and the boys. Is it just me or does it just appear that Putin’s words seems to be those of someone under a spell or a trance? I would have expected something most grandiose, more patriotic, more stimulating, more historic. But no, just a yawn and then back to bed. A war is no more different than signing a bill to enlarge the landfill capacity in Northeastern Siberia.

5. Velitoptorix Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 2:46 pm

   I wonder how this will affect the geopolitical situation. It’s looking complicated.

6. frank Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 10:05 pm

   Yep ! Oil, the wine of Babylons wrath !