The Weakest Link
RIGA – “How horrible,” my grandmother told her friend over the phone. “How horrible is this war! What are the Georgians fighting about?”
Perhaps, no other place offers a greater example of a division of points of view than my own household. My grandmother, who gets her news from the Kremlin-sponsored Russian TV channels that would have made Goebells proud, condemns Georgians who are fighting “our boys.” On the other hand, I am of a different opinion.
No better place to watch geopolitics unfold that in the Baltic States. The great divide between the local Russians and other groups in a small country like Latvia became even more acute when I picked up Russian newspapers published in Riga.
“Latvia sides with Georgia,” says the Telegraf.
“Zatlers against Russia,” whines Vesti Segodnya, referring to the joint statement signed by the Poland’s and Baltics presidents over the weekend.
Russian Society in Latvia that allegedly represents the Russian community in Latvia along with quasi-fascist Latvian national democratic party condemned Georgia and called on Russians here to boycott Georgian products, such as mineral water and wine.
“Every purchased bottle of mineral water from Georgia is a shot into an Ossetian child, woman, older man, or a Russian solder,” said the party’s leader Evgeny Osipov.
Taking a page out of the Russia’s media, the condemnation invoked images of genocide of the South Ossetian people and of the beginning of the so-called Great Patriotic War.
It is also sad to conclude that those same people would welcome the Russian army with an open arms, if it were to decide to invade the Baltics.
August 11th, 2008 at 22.58
Sveiks Aleks!
Thanks for giving us your views and of those around you. This conflict is an extremely serious matter. The West’s reaction to Russia’s belligerence in Georgia will determine how agressive Russia can afford to be on other “fronts”. Although I think Saakashvili made a serious miscalculation, goaded into it by Russia, Russia was looking for the opportune time to flex its muscles and test the West’s resolve. I hope our leaders will be quick to understand Russia’s actions and act accordingly. Otherwise it could be 1939 all over again….
August 12th, 2008 at 21.43
Sveiks
It makes my heart break. Is it not interesting that this is happening during the Olympics while American’s attention is deverted?
What was it Bush said about Putin? “I looked into his eyes and I saw his soul?” A man who is rebirthing Stalin. He has no soul.
We are to learn from history or repeat it. We, who had familys destroyed by the Russians have learned our history. We know what the Russian people are capable of and know they have not changed. Taking away 40% of our population and refilliing it with the enemy was the smartest move the Russians could have done. The enemy is still within us. It is time for the Latvian government to deal head on with this issue. Either they become citizens of the country, make an outh of protect it or GET OUT!
It is time to scream and scream loudly about what is happening in Georgia, and what will happen to the Baltics if NATO the E4 and the US does not stand strong against this action.
September 7th, 2008 at 15.16
onnetcasinò…
documenter:vigilant advisement!…