Hey guys and gals, I have a real treat for FJ readers in regards to the latest developments going on in Georgia. We have a guest author who lives in Georgia, but is currently working in Iraq, who has written a gem of an article. Chris is his name, and he has graciously allowed me to post his ideas and thoughts on the current events in Georgia.
Chris is currently working in Iraq, as I have stated, and has had to deal with two wars–one for work and one impacting his home. His family was in Georgia during the beginning of the war and luckily they were able to get out of Georgia as events unfolded. Very scary stuff and by the grace of god, they made it out safely. It is extremely unfortunate that they had to leave their home like that.
For the backdrop on this article, Chris was responding to a question about his views on the situation there in Georgia in a forum called The Black Flag Cafe. Like most forums that cover current affairs and world events, the BFC has been very active with discussion about the war in Georgia.
I have found the BFC to be an excellent source of ideas and discourse, when trying to analyze and understand current events that are happening quickly. The BFC is also owned and moderated by the author Robert Young Pelton.
Thanks to Chris for such a well thought out article and I wish the best for him and his family during this most unfortunate of events. –Head Jundi
——————————————————————
From a discussion on the Black Flag Cafe in regards to the current war in Georgia…
By Chris
Here is a shot at enlightening all of you about some of the past events that have led us to where we are today.
Zviad Gamsakhurdia is largely blamed for the conflict in S. Osettia. This is in part because he opposed the S. Osettian movement (around 1989 I think) to become part of N. Osettia, and in part because many of his supporters used the slogan “Georgia for the Georgians”. I could be wrong, but I do not believe that this was ever his slogan.
During Zviad Gamsakhurdia’s presidency fighting again broke out in S. Ossetia (1991-1992). People on both sides (Georgians and Ossetians) of the conflict were displaced. Russians move in and stop the fighting, and install themselves as peace keepers.