[aaus-list] Fwd: fragments of Alexander Rahr's interview to Newspaper 24 www.24.ua,

[Strategic and Security Studies GROUP]

 fragments of Alexander Rahr's interview to Newspaper 24 www.24.ua,


translated by SSSG



-         It is only the United States of America, which are totally
blaming Russia while in Europe the target of serious criticism is the
Georgian government. Saakashvili is the one who is blamed for the
start of military operation. Therefore, no one here is talking of any
sanctions against Russia. The West is discussing the problem in
different languages. There are those who want to punish Russia as well
as those who understand that the only way to prevent bloodshed for
Russia was to come into South Osettia.



-         But it is not about South Osettia only. Russia is bombing
also not military objects located far away from the conflict zone.



-         No. It is Georgian propaganda.  Russia is bombing the
military objects only. As it turned out, Georgians were lying a lot.



-         You mean that the photos of peaceful victims in Georgian
Gori released by Reuter's reporter Gleb Granich are just Gergian
propaganda? Do you mean that Reuter is lying?



-         Are you asking me or making your own comments? Do you wand
to show me that Georgian party is right? Photos can be subjects for
manipulations, although I don't know exactly what are you talking
about. Do you want to catch me out in a lie? Certainly, Russia was
bombing the military infrastructure of Georgia. But you can not
compare the bombing of Gori by Russians with the ruining the city of
Tskhinvali by the Georgians. I don't know if you can see that from
Ukraine, but the European sources of information reflect that the
extent of bombing was quite different. Besides that Russian troops
never moved towards Tbilisi. It was Georgian propaganda again on
Monday. Mostly the troops are at South Osettia. They have crossed the
border but in Europe it is expected that they will return after
Sarkozi's arrival to Moscow. Thus Europe won't apply any sanctions to
Russia. Another case is the US. They will press Putin and Medvedev
because of the electoral reasons.

Certainly, if Russia makes a decision to stay in Geargia for one more
week the situation will get changed and Russia will be perceived like
aggressor and occupation force. Then not only Saakashvily (who is
guilty from the Western perspective) but also Russia will be blamed.



-         How will react the West under such scenario?



-         There will be no reaction, I guess. … The West will not
fight with Russia because of Abkhazia, South Ossetia or even because
of the Crimea. We have got enough problems in Afghanistan and in
Balkans…
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