Richard Holbrook: Yet Saakashvili is still in power
Given the tremendous damage Russia inflicted on Georgia, it is easy to conclude that Moscow has achieved its objectives. But so far Moscow has failed in its real goal — getting rid of Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia’s pro-democracy, pro-American president. To be sure, Russia has tightened its control of the separatist enclaves of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It shattered the Georgian military, grievously damaged Georgia’s economy and stirred up discord within the Western alliance. For three years, it has tried every conceivable tactic to bring him down — fomenting a domestic uprising, imposing an economic blockade, beefing up its forces in the enclaves and finally a war. Yet Saakashvili is still in power. ”
Richard Holbrook’s article was published in Washington Post today.
I would like to say here, what I’d already wrote on my blog regarding this article:
I dare to comment Mr. Holbrook – but I should say that money can’t buy everything.
For sure US, IMF, World Bank, EU financial and technical aid would not only be highly appreciated, but also crucial, in order to minimize damage war had already brought and will still continue to bring in future – i.e. we may unfortunately foresee drop of foreign investments, that would reflect economical growth etc… etc… of course country is in urgent need of extra-money to rebuild everything bombed, robed and destroyed with a little help of our “friend” – Russia…
But money can not buy back self-confidence, pride, optimism and the faith in the future. As well as money can not free from a feeling of bitterness and abandonment by the West.
Georgians are romantics. In spite there are no friends in politics, Georgians were still regarding The West and especially the US, as a friend… OK ally. And Georgians still hope that The West would help – not with money or technology (that’s, again, surely very important and valuable!) but with all diplomatic and economic levers, The West do have, in order to stop Russian aggression and put occupation the end… And here we do not speak only about Gori or Zugdidi or Igoety, but also about Tskhinvali and Sukhumi.
Let’s see – Mr. Saakashvili is still in power?!?!
He is incompetent and lacks judgment. Georgia forever lost Ossetia and Abkhazia. Georgian army is 50% destroyed. The tanks are burned or lost. The navy doesn’t exist any more. Georgian military bases are ransacked. The port of Poti is bombed and blown. Young Georgians perished. More than 100,000 Georgians are displaced. The economy is in ruins. They are looking for handouts. The army is demoralized. The soldiers had to run for their lives. Should I go on?
He engages in a military campaign knowing his country would be destroyed. That’s reckless. If on the other hand he didn’t know his country would be destroyed, then he is a moron. Your pick – an idiot or a reckless adventurer. Maybe both. But the good news is that Mr. Saakashvili is still in power.
What is more tragic than a lunatic running a country, is that the Georgians are buying this non-sense – “he is still in power.”
Perhaps the President of Georgia should have followed Julia of Ukraine’s lead and thrown in with the masters, the Russians? It would appear there are a great many people (and this includes the dems in the USA) that side with the Russians. I am almost 60 and remember the savagery of the soviets back in the 50’s and 60’s….this is very reminiscent of those times. It is an abomination watching the world watch the rape of Georgia.
Dear Judith,
First, perhaps the President of Georgia should not have started a war OR fell into a trap (if you believe he was provoked), because the undisputed fact remains that Georgia is worse off than before.
Remember the great Ronald Reagan’s question: “Are you better of today than yesterday?” The answer for Georgians is unequivocally “no, we are worse off.”
Second, let’s see the double standard: It is not an abomination to see the sleeping town of Tsinkvalli shelled from Grad missile launchers known for their inaccuracy! It is not an abomination to have more than 60,000 Ossetians leave their homeland in South Ossetia in the past 10 years. It is not an abomination to watch President Saakashivili’s ultra-nationalist policies rape ethnic Armenians and Azeris in Georgia. It is not an abomination to see the Jews leave Georgia en masse. It is not an abomination to have Mr. Saakashivili ignore 90%+ vote for freedom and independence by Abhkazians and Ossetians. (I remember our forefathers fought an Independence War.) Lastly, its not an abomination to uphold the arbitrary drawn borders by ruthless, immoral tyrant Joseph Stalin’s. No, no, that is the moral high ground – protect evil Stalin’s legacy. That’s something every Republican and every conservative should subscribe according to your logic.
Third, Ronald Reagan was also a great master of Realpolitk . The US does not have Vital National Security interests in Georgia. End of story. (Whatever interests we have are not vital nor national or security). The US has more important interests in Iraq and Afghanistan. Furthermore, the US has fundamental strategic interest in preventing Iran from going nuclear. In the great chess game, Georgia is a pawn. What is pathetic and tragic at the same time is that little hooligan Micheil Saakashivili didn’t understand that. For that, he should be impeached. But that’s asking to much from Georgians. I say let Saakashivili be president for life; after all he moved Georgia forward in a giant step! I ask Judith to second my motion.
John
You look to be the most well-informed guy among all here.
Why not to apply for a job at “Russia Today”?
I have heard they are looking for new faces after William Dunbar quit.
Lord Vader,
Hmmm… by the same logic you should work for Mr. Saakashivili and his crew! Or the liberals would suggest that you work for the neocons. The peace-now-crowd and tin-foil gang would think you are qualified to work for the WSJ. Ahhhh~~~ I will stick to the reality and you can resort to name calling!
Cheers,
John
neocon is not a job, John.
Of course trading views is a good job for some people. There is a market – Mr. Lavrov has offered everybody to exchange their views for gas and oil.
Schroeder was first in the queue.
As for liberals – you simply misunderstood the meaning of this word. I advice you to go here: http://rightwingliberal.wordpress.com
Lord Vader,
Here is a quick lesson for peaceniks like you. Its called Realpolitik.
1. Georgia’s present leadership wants to escape the Russian sphere of influence. The present American leadership wants more and more countries to join its sphere of influence. Russia, historically, had huge influence in the Caucauses (along with Turkey and Iran). The present Russian leadership wants to keep that influence (for geopolitcal, economic, military, etc. reasons). These are the undisputed facts. You may like it or you may dislike it, but that’s the reality.
2. Russia has oil and gas. Mr. Schroeder (ex-prime minister of Germany) and the ex prime minister of Finland (the name escapes me) want money, prestige, job security, etc. So, they both have mutual interests.
Now, the peaceniks like you want to “moralize” it. You may call Mr. Schroeder a “traitor,” “a corrupt leader,” blah blah blah. If it makes you feel good, go ahead do it. Now make sure nobody else calls Mr. Saakashilivi a “traitor” or “a corrupt leader.” After all, under his leadership the Georgian economy is stronger, the Georgian army is stronger, the Georgian geopolitical status is stronger. Ooops… what am I doing, mentioning facts?
Strike that.
4. You think Saakashivili’s leadership made Georgia stronger. I disagree. End of story. But to make the crowd happy, I suggest to keep Saakashivili as president for life.
He then can run Armenia, then Azerbaijian, then Turkey, then Iran. You know, like a rotating presidency. He is God’s gift, right?
P.S. I said you should work FOR the neocons, not work AS a neocon.
Oh, yes… Exactly this way Realpolitic was proudly explained by Chamberlain and Daladier 70 years ago.
Before lecturing, why not to try to understand the subject better?
The name you lost is Lipponen. Anyhow there is a big difference between two ex-politicians’ roles and behavior… but that goes far from the subject of this blog.
Have I ever mentioned Saakashvilis leadership? You are referring to his name… constantly… Anything personal? Lost investments in Georgia after Roe Revolution? Or he simply kicked you out?
What’s happening now is not just Russian-Georgian case.
But OK. Forget it.
Thanks for your comments and keep posting.