Russia up to it's old tricks

The American demand for a withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia is but the latest in a conflict that threatens to destabilise the region. The determined manner in which Russian forces have pounded away at Georgian positions in and around the breakaway republic of Ossetia have resulted not only in a serious loss of innocent lives but also in huge damage to Georgian infrastructure. Not even the capital Tbilisi has been spared; and despite the brave claims by the Georgian authorities that they have been inflicting blows on the Russians, the bigger truth is that Moscow's superior firepower may now have caused a situation where Georgia could collapse unless a cessation of hostilities comes about soon.

But that possibility even now appears rather remote, despite Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili's quick acceptance of European Union proposals for a solution to the conflict. Meanwhile, Moscow has called for the resignation of President Saakashvili. The impediment, till this point, has however been the Russian leadership. US President George Bush and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have already had a testy exchange on the issue in Beijing, where both men happened to be present at the opening of the Olympics. While one can hardly disagree with the thought that it was Saakashvili's attempt to bring Ossetia back into the Georgian fold through military means that led to the crisis, there is little doubt that the Russian response has been unnaturally unnerving. For once one is inclined to agree with the Bush administration, which thinks Moscow's response to Tbilisi's actions has been disproportionate. That said, it is now imperative that a swift resolution to the conflict be arrived at. The French and the Finnish are already at work on behalf of the EU. As for the Americans, Russian charges that they have been sending back Georgian soldiers from Iraq to Tbilisi to resist Moscow only underscore the degree to which Washington may not be in a position to influence events.

It should have been for Moscow to explore every peaceful, diplomatic avenue before deciding on a military response to Georgia's actions. That it opted for a bare-knuckled response is regrettable. Be that as it may, it is now for the global community to have the two sides arrive at a solution at the earliest. Unless the hostilities stop, there is a terrible chance that it might lead to a wider conflagration.