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First Georgian casualty in Afghanistan sparks debate in Tbilisi
Published: 07 September, 2010, 08:44
Edited: 14 October, 2010, 15:45
The international death toll in Afghanistan is on the rise – and not only for US-led NATO forces. Georgia has lost its first soldier to the war, but the country isn't even part of the Alliance.
Enrique: Just didn't quite understand the comment. Do you mean that Georgia can't choose independently it's friends or unions it wants to join? If so, why? Do you present Finland as an example of these small Russian neighbours who also somehow shouldn't join Nato or what? Just have to remember the lessons of history. It didn't help a bit in the fall of 1939 that Finland was pacifistic and neutral. It did even have a non-aggression pack with Soviet Union. Still Soviet union attacked Finland. The only guarantee of true independence is either own strong military or commitment of help from others. Peaceful solutions and economical cooperation are always welcome to the small countries. Especially if the big one treats them as independent entities and don't think it has any saying how they run their business and who they want to be friends with.
2nd try: Enrique: Just didn't quite understand the comment. Do you mean that Georgia can't choose independently it's friends or unions it wants to join? If so, why? Do you present Finland as an example of these small Russian neighbours who also somehow shouldn't join Nato or what? Just have to remember the lessons of history. It didn't help a bit in the fall of 1939 that Finland was pacifistic and neutral. It did even have a non-aggression pack with Soviet Union. Still Soviet union attacked Finland. The only guarantee of true independence is either own strong military or commitment of help from others. Peaceful solutions and economical cooperation are always welcome to the small countries. Especially if the big one treats them as independent entities and don't think it has any saying how they run their business and who they want to be friends with.
marko, Of course, the elected Russian Government is free to do whatever they think it is better for Georgia. Yes, in WWiI Finland (Mannerheim) looked for the support of Germany to keep its independence, but later as Germany lost the War they had to pay the USSR with Karelia. Finland has been among the first to join the Euro, the same way as Ireland, as both Finland and Ireland thought about it as a way to support their Independence from Britain and Russia. But in Georgia or Ukraine there are many people who feel closer to Russia than to Germany or U.S.A.
Enrique: "Of course, the elected Russian Government is free to do whatever they think it is better for Georgia." Was this a typo or do you actually mean what you wrote?? In 1939-40 (Winter war) Finland didn't have basically any help from anyone (except moral). Occupation of Karelia started first time then. SU was a partner of Germany at that point. Finnish decission to join EU was also strongly about being in the group of countries with same attitudes to democracy and market economy. And also hope that it would protect Finland a little bit from the big neighbour. In Ukraine and Georgia situation and people are of course totally different. And these countries people should decide themselves what they want. Without any pressure from abroad. Actually I believe such a pressure would just lead to opposite decisions than what was intended.
Given its geographical situation and small size Georgia should be a neutral and pacific state like Switzerland or Finland. That would have saved the lifes of hundreds of Georgians. The next Georgian Government should make sure Georgia becomes a pacifist and neutral nation. Neutral nations have important economic ties to neighbors (Sweden and Finland are part of the EU and Switzerland has a Bilateral Agreement with the EU. Georgia could have Economic Agreements with both Russia and the EU) The next Georgian Government should make sure the Georgian Constitutions establish the principle of neutrality and search for peaceful solutions.