Does Kazakhstan's decision wonders anyone? In-between two big powers in the Eurasian mainland, far from coast of any ocean. Both big neighbours are obvious objects of American contain policy and American hostile actions. And this oversee faraway power suggests you to play it's game, namely to hurt the interests of your neighbours for some vague bonus. Imagine yourself in the boots of Kazakh leadeer - whatever democrat, dictator, communist, liberal or nationalist would he be. It's clear to everyone, that this "attractive" offer is nothing else, but the role of brander, a demoltion ship, a suicidal mission - suicidal for the long-term interests of nation, the ticket to the instability in the least.
Funny, all strategy of neocons was based on the lunatic assumption that normal primitive pragmatism and common sense will stop work somehow simultaneously in Russia, China and Central Asia, and they, neocons, as only clever guys on Earth will geniously avail their advantage and create the islands of American influence wherever they want to and forever at that. Quick and simple! And now, behold! - the opponent sides appeared to be not clinical idiots, they render normal natural reactions and even their minimal actions bury genious plan totally and nullify the results of years-long efforts! The tragedy of Neoconservatism has such laughable nature, that this political phenomena apparently will establish new branch of political science - the political psycopathology.

Well, no, he killed them during the war. after the war, they were raped repeatedly.

IMO, Stalinism was merely a retooled War Communism, even more barbaric and savage, though it must be admitted that it did allow the Soviets to be able to capitalize on the Nazi mistakes and drive them back to Berlin, so I suppose it would have to be said that Stalin was the right man for that time, as brutal and murderous as he was -- though given his purge of 80% of the Soviet high command, it's a miracle that there were any competent generals left to fight.

Very saddening to have to say that but that is the reality that existed at that point in time.

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Who does vote for these dishonest shitheads? Who among us can be happy and proud of having all this innocent blood on our hands? Who are these swine? These flag-sucking half-wits who get fleeced and fooled by stupid little rich kids like George Bush?

--Hunter S. Thompson

Another wrench thrown into washington's plan. With this report, they'd have to enact sanctions againts Georgia as well, no?

Spiegel: OSCE observers fault Georgians in conflict

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“Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.”

Seneca

^^ I have heard of this report. I consider the OSCE to be trustworthy, actually much more than either Georgia or Russia. The Georgian government most likely played a very dirty game. The question I am not sure yet is how dirty the Russians played, I suspect they have some corpses in the cellar as well.

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""Even though our unity is our strength, our diversity remains our wealth,""
Herman Van Rompuy

This seems to be an interesting development; it seems sanctions are much less likely.

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“Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.” - Lord Palmerston

I saw a good TV discussion which included the prime minister of Luxembourg. An influential politician on the EU scene.

He pretty much ruled out sanctions. At least those of the traditional sort. Hey suggested a large financial support for the Georgian economy and he suggested to confront Russia with measures to follow if it continuous to fail meeting the 6 point plan.

But we will see what the EU summit today will bring, maybe it will fail to bring a unified stance anyway...

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""Even though our unity is our strength, our diversity remains our wealth,""
Herman Van Rompuy

Yet another reason why sanctions on Russia alone would make no sense. And another obvious reason why cluster munitions should be permanently banned.

Group: Georgia admits to dropping cluster bombs

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“Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.”

Seneca

So you can see that after EU summit there were no sanctions to Russia. But it s not a victory. Everybody knew that sanctions wouldnt be make. Actually EU knows that Saaka but they didnt put this note in total document. It s real war - information war. American and EU channels didnt show real picture from Osetia. At present time russian channels show movies which was made by georgians soldier on mobile cameras. It shows how they killed civilians in Osetia. Cheini came to Geogria yesterday and support Saakashvilli. It means nothing for us because we know the true. But it has undermined trust to USA having presented to its monster in the opinion of the public. It also underminated your democratic priciples and your history. Cheini is a person which not adequately to be called as the person. He is the similar liar as Saaka. Do not allow a policy of violence further and do not vote for new killer.

After Bush your nation looks worse and worse not only in Russia but also in EU. And what russians think about your democratic after Bush. Translation"

....Moreover, contrary to the developed tradition the channel has not laid out the full text of interview on the site. In listing of words of Vladimir Putin rigid censorship also is looked through. There is an impression that to certain group of people, to the managing director the western mass-media, and as consequence, and the western opinion, is simply unprofitable, that Russia has been heard. And it is favourable opposite – to create it around our country information blockade and to present to all world an image of aggressive and dangerous Russia. Beat the that strangers were afraid However, sometimes journalism laws nevertheless prevail, and separate mass-media manage to present an objective picture of the conflict on caucasus, to show attestations of eyewitnesses of the Georgian aggression and destroyed Tshinval. However such deviation from "the American democratic ideals" over colleagues on shop is followed by immediate punishment of other, "correct" journalists. So has occurred to the American channel NBC which has risked to condemn that fact that "the USA have resolutely risen on one of the parties in war between Russia and Georgia", and actions of the USA on arms and instructing of the Georgian army named "provocation". For such freethinking NBC has undergone to persecution from outside other channel. The prorepublican conservative commentator of television channel Fox Bill О'Райли has acted with rigid criticism of competitors, having declared:" With such broadcasting companies as NBC, Vladimir Putin has "a fifth column" directly here - in the old kind USA "and" Russia should rejoice such mass-media, as NBC which as it is represented, again is sorry for the bad guy ". This situation well shows, as affairs in" a democracy stronghold "with a freedom of speech and censorship actually are. In an amicable way, the conflict between NBC and Fox should enter into journalism textbooks as an example of a submission to control of the American mass-media to the authorities, rigid suppression of heterodoxy and reception of conducting information war against Russia.The western television channels so steadfastly watch colleagues, as though in an aether there was nothing superfluous that do not notice sensational exposures of actions of the Georgian military men.
One of these days on the Internet there was a roller which has been removed, judging by estimations of experts, on a mobile phone one of the Georgian soldiers. Shootings are conducted from an armoured troop-carrier on which the author of videorecording by one hand shoots apartment houses from a machine gun, and the second removes it on phone. Thus the cannonade sound periodically interrupts cheerful shouts of the Georgian military men, in spirit destroying peace Tshinval. At this time inhabitants of shot houses till some days without meal and water hid in cellars, escaping from bullets and shells. After experts have confirmed authenticity of this roller, it has been shown on the Russian television channel "Vesti-24". However the western channels while prefer to ignore the similar facts and have not deigned to show this video certificate in the aether. Apparently, on this record the fault of a mode of Saakashvili in an attack to South Ossetia is too obvious, the Georgian barrackings interrupted with shooting on peace houses are too obvious, too difficult then will to shout about the Russian aggression and to continue anti Russia a hysteria in the programs."

Yet another reason why all this talk from washington of "punishing Russia" is bullshit.

Pakistan cuts supply lines to NATO troops in Afghanistan | News From Antiwar.com

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“Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.”

Seneca

Give me the ACTUAL OSCE report, not Der Spiegel's summary. Der Spiegel has proven itself to be about as reliable as the National Enquirer. (Anyone remember their 3 different versions of their interview with PM Maliki?)

I've read a summary of that OSCE report from another website, and the message was very different. Georgia had plans for Ossetia, but Russian tanks were in Georgian territory before Georgia opened fire, and the South Ossetian rebel group was refusing to give up their heavy weapons. Fault on both sides of this local dispute.

Likewise, how long does it take for an armored column to drive over a mountain? More than a day! Both Russia and Georgia had these moves planned for a long while, and were just waiting for the right opportunity. Likewise, Russia had no justification to invade non-Ossetia Georgia. IF they just parked their tanks surrounding the disputed territory, the Georgians would not attack them! Problem solved, minimal bloodshed. But no, the Russians decided to run the Georgian government out of Georgia. Yeah, they're innocent all right!

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"The most important single central fact about a free market is that no exchange takes place unless both parties benefit."
- Milton Friedman

"The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it."
- George Orwell

No one thinks its worth to mention the new developments?

The EU sent Sarkozy (leads the current EU presidency) and Barroso to Moscow and Tiflis for negotiations and the result surprised me quite a bit. Moscow promissed to leave core Georgia completely within this month and agreed to international forces replacing them. 200 EU observers will be part of them.

It looks to me like Russia would be rather cooperative.

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""Even though our unity is our strength, our diversity remains our wealth,""
Herman Van Rompuy

Someone is going to have to deal with Russia sooner or later. The Bear has awakened and seems poised to try and wreck havoc on U.S. interests. Recent flirtations with Venezuela demonstrate a willingness to tweak Uncle Sam's nose in his own backyard.

I hope it is not inappropriate to reference a posting I made about the Russians which I think you will enjoy reading. I would love your comments either here or there.
Putting the Bear Back in the Cage - The Right Opposition

Thanks! I'm looking forward to getting to know you guys.