.... Please.

[lithera]

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of orchestrating the conflict in Georgia to benefit one of the presidential election candidates. In an exclusive interview with CNN's Matthew Chance, Putin said the U.S. had encouraged Georgia to attack the autonomous region of South Ossetia.

"U.S. citizens were indeed in the area in conflict," Putin said. "They were acting in implementing those orders doing as they were ordered, and the only one who can give such orders is their leader."

Sure.

Yeah.

Because Russia had nothing to do with it.

Don't get me wrong. I have no doubt that we had something to do with it but it isn't like Russia hasn't been prodding at that situation for a long time itself.

Comments

[gamethyme.livejournal.com]

Georgia is the only possible conduit for oil through the area that isn't already controlled by Russia.

Several US Oil companies were already in negotiation in the area.

[fireballof3.livejournal.com]

I'd be floored if years later we found out that it all was true.

[grymor.livejournal.com]

Uhm, I may be missing something, but I'm pretty sure we had and still have a training group their as part of Georgia's bid to join NATO as well as to support Georgia being able to send troops to Iraq.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Certainly but that doesn't at all mean that we instigated the fight. Like I said, I'm pretty sure we were involved since they're our buddies and all but Russia has been pushing that situation for a long time, looking to come riding in like heroes for South Ossetia.

[grymor.livejournal.com]

Sorry, should have been clearer, I was responding to the quote:

"U.S. citizens were indeed in the area in conflict," Putin said. "They were acting in implementing those orders doing as they were ordered, and the only one who can give such orders is their leader."

Which is precisely true, for the reasons in my comment, and mostly irrelevant. Whats really sad about all of this (above and beyond the default sad that attaches to war and it's associated happenings) is the training we were giving the Georgian's might as well have been outright sabotage with regards to this war. Counter Insurgency training isn't just unhelpful, it actively hinders your performance against an organized, mechanized, opponent.

[fireballof3.livejournal.com]

Ah, classic mechanized war vs "peacekeeping action". Yeah, they are very different beasts, and no one army can do both really well.

[yellowseptember.livejournal.com]

I think Chris had what amounts to a political spaz-attack last night. Hope y'all didn't butt heads.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Nah. Just chatted a bit.