"Train with fuel cargo explodes, Russia blamed"

Published: Monday, 25 August, 2008, 08:42 AM Doha Time

SKRA, Georgia: A train carrying fuel exploded yesterday near the Georgian city of Gori, causing a thick cloud of noxious black smoke and blocking a vital east-west transportation link, officials and witnesses said.
Georgian interior ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said the explosion was caused by a mine laid by Russian forces.
An intense fire burned following the explosion and a tower of smoke could be seen from kilometres around, an AFP correspondent at the scene said.
The fire was still not under control by early evening and it was unclear when traffic on the line would be restored, Utiashvili said.
After initially saying that the railway had been mined, the spokesman later said that it was unclear whether the train had itself struck a mine or if a nearby mine explosion had caused the fire.
Omar Yuramashvili, a shepherd who said he saw the blast, told AFP the train had been travelling west from Gori. He said an initial blast did not come from the railway line itself but from a military complex next to the line.
“When it went off it was the loudest explosion I’ve ever heard. The force was so great that some of the wagons were forced off the tracks,” he told AFP.
Georgia’s economic development minister charged that Russian forces had a hand in the blast, saying Moscow wanted to disrupt the energy corridor from the Caspian Sea to western Europe that bypasses Russian territory.
“Georgia provides an alternative corridor for exporting oil and gas that is not controlled by Russia,” Economic Development Minister Yekaterina Sharashidze told AFP. “(Russia) tried everything possible to make sure this corridor does not exist anymore.”
Georgia accused Russia of attempting to bomb a key oil pipeline in the country during raids on August 9 and 12. Moscow denied the accusations.
The train blast occurred in a rural valley just outside the village of Skra, about 5km west of Gori.
The governor of the surrounding Shida Kartli region, Lado Vardzelashvili, said the train was travelling near a military base occupied by Russian troops until Friday and the explosion had caused no casualties.
Five fire engines initially battled to control the blaze, which had also started small bush fires in the vicinity.
One of the wagons was marked Azpetrol, the name of a company based in Baku, the capital of neighbouring Azerbaijan.
Sharashidze said traffic had stopped along the line, which is used to transport fuel from Azerbaijan to the Georgian port city of Batumi, and that officials were determining the extent of the damage.
Georgia had previously accused Russian forces of blowing up a rail bridge near the town of Kaspi.
Sharashidze said the bridge would be repaired in about three weeks and that an alternative bridge was being used in the meantime. – AFP”

Georgia and the left’s double standards

 

“Putin’s Russia is, at this very moment, in the process of inventing a new “nation” that is in need of “self-determination” as a shrewd and brutal ploy to break up Georgia. It is has shrewdly coordinated moves by separatists inside Georgia to serve as a justification for its own invasion. The Putin regime articulates outrage about the mistreatment of the Ossetians, while mysteriously being totally callous about its own human rights abuses inside Russia, especially in Chechnya. It is obvious that the Russians are preaching human rights and self-determination as a weapon to engage in aggression. The story brings to mind two historical parallels. The first is the campaign by Nazi Germany on behalf of “self-determination” for the Sudeten Germans inside Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. Germany also invented a “people” in need of self-determination inside the small state it had designs on. Thus, it invented claims of human rights abuses and then used the separatist activities of the Sudetens as an excuse to invade and demolish Czechoslovakia.

It goes without saying that human rights were respected much more inside Czechoslovakia than inside Nazi Germany. And ethnic Germans already had their own sovereign countries they could migrate to if they were unhappy in the Sudeten areas of Czechoslovakia. The other historical parallel concerns the invention of a “Palestinian people.” The Arabs use the “Palestinian” separatist movement in a similar way to how Russia uses the Ossetian separatists. The Arabs and their apologists invent tales of “human rights abuses” by Israel of “Palestinians” much like Russia invents stories about Georgian mistreatment of Ossetians. Never mind that the human rights of Arabs inside Israel are respected infinitely better than are those of Arabs inside Arab countries, and that non-Arabs inside Arab countries are treated even worse. The world is up in arms about so-called Israeli “apartheid,” while in reality Israel is the only Middle East regime that is not an apartheid regime. Yes, the Georgians did sometimes mistreat the Ossetians and the Ossetians have a far stronger case for self-determination than the “Palestinians.” The Ossetians speak their own language unrelated to that of their neighbors and have their own culture. In comparison, the “Palestinians” are far less different culturally and less distinct linguistically from the Arabs in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria (whence most of them migrated into “Palestine” in the late 19th and early 20th century). These phenomena beg a serious question: If the world is horrified at Russian aggression and behavior towards Georgians, where is its outrage at Arab aggression towards Israel and behavior identical to that of Russia? Why are those who dismiss the claims of a right to self-determination by Ossetians not dismissing as a similar Sudeten-style ploy the demands for “Palestinian self-determination?” Why are Palestinians, who enjoy treatment far better than that of the Ossetians and the Chechens, the focus of countless media exposes about their imaginary mistreatment by Israel?  nd where are all those solidarity protesters? Where are the “International Solidarity Movement” protesters who like to attack Israeli troops and police and to serve as “human shields” to protect the Palestinian “victims” of Israeli self-defense? Why are they not rushing to Ossetia and Georgia to stand up to the Russian troops, throwing rocks at them and singing Kun-Ba-Ya? Where are the leftist human shields blocking the path of Russian military vehicles the same way they block Israeli Defense Forces operations? Are they afraid they will not be served the same nice gourmet lattes they get when Israeli forces apprehend them for hooliganism in the West Bank?

Why are leftists not organizing ships to break the Russian blockade of the Georgia coast the same way they are trying to provide sea-borne aid to the Hamas in Gaza? Where are the Rachel Corries and why are they not challenging Russian bulldozer crews? Why are the Anarchists against the Wall not hopping planes to Tbilisi to challenge Russian construction crews erecting walls in Abkhazia and Ossetia? Why are the Israeli leftist professors not holding pro-Ossetian poetry readings and solidarity rallies in Tbilisi?

Here we have the hypocrisy of the members of the political faith exposed for all to see. ”

http://www.brookesnews.com/082508gorgia.html

"If Saakashvili survives in Georgia, Russia loses"

 

“by Richard C Holbrooke
TBILISI: Given the tremendous damage that Russia has inflicted on Georgia, it is easy to conclude that the Kremlin has achieved its objectives. But, so far, Russia 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 Saakashvili down – fomenting a domestic uprising, imposing an economic blockade, beefing up its forces in the enclaves, and finally a war. Yet Georgia’s president remains in power.
Here in Tbilisi, tension is understandably high. Russian tanks are less than 25 miles away, and the wheat fields along the main road to Gori were ablaze, set on fire by Russian troops, as I drove through Russian checkpoints to get to that deserted, occupied city. (Most memorable sight: drunken Russian soldiers in stolen Georgian uniforms – “because they are better than ours.”)
Russia’s invasion of Georgia has reshaped the strategic landscape. But, as the West debates how to “punish Russia”, it is vital to remember that the main front is still in Georgia. Talk about taking away the 2014 Winter Olympics or ejecting Russia from the G-8 may (or may not) have some effect on the Kremlin, but the most important thing the West can do now is strengthen the government in Tbilisi.
The equation is simple: if Saakashvili survives, Vladimir Putin loses.
The intense personal hatred between these men overlays two centuries of tortured history between Russia and Georgia. Many people report that Putin simply “loses it” when discussing the upstart Saakashvili, who led his country from near bankruptcy into a golden age of economic growth and the world’s highest rate of foreign direct investment relative to GDP. All this has been halted by Russian tanks.
The Kremlin has probably lost its chance to remove Saakashvili by overt force, although sinister, more stealthy means cannot be ruled out. Having just dined with him in a public restaurant, I wish his security was a little tighter. (His predecessor, Eduard Shevardnadze, was a near-miss target for several assassination attempts that are widely believed to have been Russian-directed.)
The Kremlin’s best hope now is that Georgia’s economy will crumble, its currency will collapse, and an unhappy populace, encouraged by some opposition leader (perhaps bankrolled by Russia), will force Saakashvili from power.
The Western response to this challenge must go beyond rhetoric. What matters most right now is massive economic and military assistance. Public commitments to help rebuild Georgia are the best way to prevent Russia from achieving its goal.
Prime Minister Vladimir Gurgenidze estimates that rebuilding railroads, bridges, ports and other infrastructure will cost at least $1bn; this does not include humanitarian relief, refugee resettlement costs, or rebuilding Georgia’s military.
Gurgenidze also foresees negative economic growth, a huge budget deficit, and a collapse of tourism, which was just taking off in this beautiful country.
US Senator Joseph Biden has called for an immediate $1bn supplemental appropriation, a proposal quickly endorsed by Barack Obama. But the Bush administration has not yet been specific on economic support. Congress will be in session only briefly before the election, and a supplemental appropriation will pass only if President Bush pursues it vigorously as a bipartisan measure.
Even if delayed until next year, its immediate proposal by Bush and endorsement by both presidential candidates would help morale in Georgia.
The European Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development must match American support.
In the long run, Georgia and Russia must coexist peacefully. Here, Georgia must do its part. Saakashvili, an immensely talented 41-year-old, saved his country from utter collapse in 2003. But he must think strategically about the future.
On occasion, he has berated the Europeans for insufficient support – not a good tactic for someone trying to join the EU – and has used rhetoric about Russia that, while understandable, only increases the danger to himself. Saakashvili cannot pick up his tiny country and move it to Mexico. He has to manage the situation with greater care.
There will be consequences, of course, for Russia’s relations with the West. (Bush’s inattentiveness to this Russian threat – dramatically illustrated by his literal embrace of Putin in Beijing as Russian tanks rolled into Georgia – may have led the Kremlin to think it could get away with its invasion.)
While the West will not going to war over Georgia, Russia must understand that it will pay for using force, or the threat of force, against neighbors that were once part of the Soviet space.
This is especially true for Ukraine and Azerbaijan, which are likely to be Moscow’s next targets for intimidation. The rules of the post-Cold War world are changing – but not to the ultimate benefit of Russia, which has underestimated the unifying effect its actions will have on the West.
Exactly how these relationships evolve depends on what each side does in the coming weeks – especially in Georgia. – Project Syndicate
n Richard Holbrooke was US ambassador to the UN during the Clinton administration.”

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=237557&version=1&template_id=46&parent_id=26

Canada – "Russia’s Arctic activities cause ‘concern’: Emerson"

 

“Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson says the government views the recent actions of Russia in Georgia and in the Far North “with great concern,” and this is helping drive the Conservatives’ Arctic strategy. “It’s not in direct response to that, but we’ve seen much increased activity in terms of Russian overflights of Canadian airspace. The Americans are seeing the same thing around Alaska,” he told CTV’s Question Period on Sunday. “So that’s one element, but it’s not the only element. It’s something that is now starting to give us some cause for serious concern.”

Georgia had complained about Russian overflights of its territory in the period leading before its conflict over the breakaway region of South Ossetia boiled over. Experts say the resource-rich Arctic is becoming an increasingly contentious area as climate change makes the region more navigable by causing sea ice to melt. In August 2007, a Russian icebreaker reached the North Pole. A Russian submarine went down to the seabed and planted a Russian flag there. Emerson described that as a “what many thought was a somewhat silly flag-planting incident in Canada’s Arctic.” But taken with the larger picture of Russian actions against Georgia and its squeezing of Ukraine’s energy supplies two years ago, Emerson said both Canada and its NATO allies and former Soviet satellites are apprehensive.

West presses Moscow on withdrawal

“Russia continued to face calls from western leaders to withdraw from Georgian territory over the weekend, as Russian forces, having vacated a few key areas, dug in along a wide buffer zone they control in Georgia.

Adding to tensions, a train carrying fuel exploded near Gori in central Georgia, and Georgian officials blamed the incident on a landmine. The train was travelling on a route used to transport oil from Azerbaijan to world markets via central Georgia.

Russian forces also continued to patrol the port city of Poti in spite of western criticism that the Russian military presence there violates a ceasefire agreement signed last week by the two sides.Poti lies outside a wide buffer zone claimed by Russia around Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the two separatist enclaves where it has based peacekeeping troops.

On Saturday Nicolas Sarkozy, French president, called on Russian troops to leave Poti during a phone call with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev. “Concerning the nearby region of Abkhazia, President Sarkozy insisted it was important that Russian troops present at the Poti/Senaki area should withdraw as soon as possible,” a French statement said. On Sunday Mr Sarkozy’s office said the president – whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union – will convene a European summit on the crisis on September 1.  He called the summit on the future of relations between the EU and Russia and on aid to Georgia at the request of various European countries, the Elysée said. ”

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bd031a92-7200-11dd-a44a-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1

“In Berlin, Chancellor Merkel said Moscow had not withdrawn its troops in line with a French-brokered ceasefire accord and ties to Moscow could be cut back if it did not comply. n=Underscoring the potential for renewed violence, Russian soldiers manning a checkpoint on the road between Zugdidi and Senaki in western Georgia fired shots in the air to disperse a protest by angry residents. No injuries were reported.”

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/25/worldupdates/2008-08-24T231430Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-351506-4&sec=Worldupdates