It is being reported by Pravda, a Russian newspaper which is also published online, that the US is using the cover of humanitarian aid to the war torn region of Georgia to re-arm the Georgian military for another possible attack against the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia, and Gori. South Ossetia and Gori are heavily contested and wish to break away from Georgia and have asked the Moscow to recognize their independence, which Moscow is likely to do.
However, the government of Georgia is not willing to so readily give up territory that may give Russia a strategic advantage over their country. Russia and Georgia had recently signed a ceasefire agreement in which the Russians were supposed to move their so-called peacekeepers back to their original positions before the fighting began. However, Russia has not abided by the terms of the ceasefire and has created buffer zones and checkpoints, according to French President Sarkozy, who brokered the ceasefire deal. Russian officials claim that these measures are necessary in order to prevent another Georgian attack.
Now the US has begun shipping in relief aid to Georgia via US warships. According to officials these ships are only bringing in food, medicine and other essential supplies to aid the Georgian people after the fierce response by Russia to the Georgian military’s incursion. Nevertheless, it was just last week when the Russians had begun deploying their battleships into the Black Sea region in order to attack the port city of Poti. This was also Moscow’s attempt to stop any naval vehicles from entering or leaving the port, essentially cutting off the Georgian people by sea.
As all of this is going on another area of contention between the US and Russia is the US missile defense pact signed recently by Poland. Russian officials have been quoted as saying that they will deal with Poland with more than diplomatic means. This can only be taken as a threat of the use of military power against the Polish people. It is also clear that any other regions in and around Russia that signs on to such a deal with the US would face similar threats.
We can only imagine the tension mounting as these two fleets square off, one against another, both sides knowing that in one instant the lid could blow right off of the situation. The Russians are clearly going to become more hostile and amplify the rhetoric for as long as the US warships are in the region. Nevertheless, the US cannot afford to back down and leave an ally at the mercy of the Russian military. This is a fight that the US must fight and we can only hope that diplomatic measures are considered and agreed upon by those that have the power to do such things.
Sources
Pravda
http://english.pravda.ru/topic/georgia_ossetia-603/
AFP
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jhXfHjVKMWDLTCNH4Oxo0Qzq-YKg