Long live Russia

Let’s start with a vexillological issue: the flag of Georgia is among the national flags that I am really fond of: the combination of those lovely red crosslets that claim their origin from the Crusaders’ Kingdom of Jerusalem around a large Saint George’s cross in red helps create an impression of antique dignity – as well as of exotic fantasy — on the pure white background. Their war flag is even more impressive, in which reversed colors are defaced by the shield and crown of the Ministry of Defence. They must be so proud, those Georgian soldiers who appeared on television those day, to stand and fight under such a beautiful class.

My fondness to the Georgian national flag, however, does not prevent me from acknowledging the fact that such a breach of trust – like one committed by the leaders of Georgia – is hardly able to be forgiven so easily, and that Russia, as a world power, absolutely possess the right to take retaliation as well as to counter the aggression from their enemy – by violent means if needed – in order to protect her citizens (it is estimated that 90% of the inhabitants of South Ossetia had been applied for, and had been granted, Russian passports). Observers from an anti-Russian viewpoint may consider Russia’s sharp reaction rather harsher than necessary, but from my point of view, it is not only necessary but also absolutely justified.

As I have stated in previous entries, submission and concession have never been and will never be the solution for a permanent peace; all they can bring is a short period of temporary truce plus an illusion of peace (remember Chamberlain’s ironically infamous speech “Peace in our time”?). In other to maintain a true, perpetual peace, one not only need to have the power to protect his legitimate rights but also need to show other people that he really has that power. Proof needed? Let me remind you this: during the Lebanon conflict of 2006, Hezbollah’s leaders admitted that would they predicted the reaction from Israel had been that harsh, they would not have dared to abduct two Israeli soldiers on patrol. In this Caucasus conflict, I believe that Russia also have to bear part of the responsibility: although strong enough and willing to protect her rights, perhaps she had failed to show the world her might and will, which likely to have led to Georgian political and military leaders’ underestimation of Russia’s reaction against their unprovoked aggression towards South Ossetia. Fortunately the leaders of Russia seem to have realized that mistake – and they are trying hard to redeem it by having a really impressive show of force in the South Caucasus, using this incident in South Ossetia as a great opportunity.

Here is but a note to commemorate that conflict, one of the few military conflicts with I am really interested in since the Lebanon War in 2006. I should have been completed this short note in Friday, and this delay was due to instinctive idleness. Another entry on explorers, missionaries, merchants and conquerors is coming soon…

2008/08/10