Red Eagle over Caucasus

-Pritam S Rana
The brutal Russian attack in Georgia reminds of Stalin's times, purges of Kulaks and neighbors. When Finland was nearly sapped by the Stalinists in 1939, Churchill offered help. President Coolidge sent Marines to overturn the Reds. But Leninism was too strong in the pre-roaring twenties America. His efforts to help Wrangel's legions completely failed.

The present war is also oil driven. Gazprom's insatiable appetite for oil monopoly in the Caspian is one of the reasons Putin is encouraging South Ossetians to rise up against Georgia. Gazprom wants to monopolize supply for the 'black gold' to Europe. A clear message to Poland too, says LA Times. Putin wants to blackmail Poland to stay away from US sponsored missile shield program in Central Europe. Moscow knows the program is Iran oriented. But Putin wants to back Iranian nuclear program in a bid to strengthen itself in the new cold war. Moscow as a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and wants to tell its neighbors that it means business. Georgian withdrawal from Iraq (ref, LA times and ABC7) facilitates Iran's growing influence in Iraq. Obama's withdrawal plans would further push Iraq toward SCO circle. US and Western investment in Iraq is in jeopardy once the Shanghai pact seizes initiative there.

Europe on the other hand seems slow to react to Russian aggression. Germany, as a leader of Europe, should squarely condemn Russia for its reckless intervention. The Jewish population is already being evacuated, says Jerusalem Post. Additional wave of refugees is likely to cause infaltionary pressure and rising unemployment is already a problem in slowing economies of the US, Germany and Israel.

Russian leader Putin turned out to be a true Stalinist. Disrespecting Georgia's historic independence and the right to self determination, the current bloodshed inflicted by Russia is highly deplorable. LA Times quotes an unnamed US diplomat as saying Russian military is using heavy bombers and ground forces to inflict massive civilian casualties, punitive measures designed to scare President Saakashvili's pro-Western government out of power. Moscow favors quick regime change ala Chechnya. But Georgia is a Christian country and not some backwater like Chechnya. Putin should remember that many Georgian nationalists fought against the Red Army in the Eastern Front (1941-45). Moscow cannot take this present affair as a cakewalk.

Led by platonic leaders such as Prince Kakutsa Cholokashvili (ref. wikipedia.org) in the early 20th century, Russia under the spell of Bolshevism sent Red Army to crush Georgian independence just after the end of World War I. Moscow installed Fillipp Makharadze, a stooge of Red Russia, as the new dictator. In a long episode of domination and oppression, Georgian civilians were massacred by Russian Army in 1989, when the whole world was witnessing freedom from oppression. Russia's entry into Georgia's internal affairs in August this year and its attempt to divide free-spirited Georgians is a very negative development. Sharing a culture of Ionian Greeks, Georgia deserves to be independent and sovereign. Its links to the West cannot be subjugated by force majeure.

Although Western aid has been forthcoming, Georgia remains underdeveloped, ranking 2.8 in Corruption Perception Index. Once peace returns, the wonderful tourist area can attract Western visitors who can enjoy the wilderness and its unique culture, a blend of Caucasian and Greek.

The United States, Germany, the UK, France and Israel should provide security assistance to Georgia. Although a NATO partner, Georgia has received meager assistance for its security. Only about a hundred foreign security experts are in Georgia, according to Wikipedia. As Europeans, Georgia deserves aid and assistance. Viva Georgia!

THE END