Whats going on in Georgia now?

[Nizark]

I heard some reports that Russia has troops in Georgia...is that from before the revolution or did they just send them in? Also, the US seems pretty pissed off that Russia isn't withdrawing those troops...Why is DoD so adamant about it?

[earl]

Pipelines, apparantly. And Russia has had peacekeeping forces in Abkhazia (with UN observers) and South Ossetia from before the coup, they have military bases in those two separatist regions, if the info I just read is right.

A pipeline is currently being constructed to carry Caspian crude oil through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey to the mediterranean for Western markets.



"Currently the United States is the largest investor in the country. The process of privatizing state enterprises continues to present opportunities for investors, including in the energy sector [...]

The Baku-Supsa pipeline opened in April 1999 and was the first pipeline to carry oil from the Caspian basin through Georgia to markets in the west. Additionally, progress is being made on both the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Shah Deniz gas pipeline. These projects will help contribute greatly to Georgia's role in the "new Silk Road," restoring a historic overland trade route to and from the West and the developing markets of Central Asia. However, as increasing volumes of Caspian oil and Western goods begin to flow through Georgia, the traffic is placing a strain on the poorly developed transport infrastructure. Upgrading its transportation infrastructure is a high priority for Georgia, and presents opportunities for firms able to execute such projects.

and,


"The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Export Oil Pipeline (BTC) and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrum Gas Pipeline should create of energy corridor development that should connect Caspian Sea Coast to Turkish Mediterranean, to provide oil and gas for European and US Markets. The political significance of project has been recognised by the US Government, that indeed directly advocates continuing and expanding of export routes in its National Energy Security Policy. The project indeed depends on the political and financial support from the Western Governments and International Financial Institutions. According to the BP CEO John Browne the BTC option makes sense only “if ‘free money’ was offered by governments to build the line”."


More intersting reading here: http://www.platts.com/features/georgia/index.shtml

Hard to see, but it's right there near the top, between Caspian and Black seas, directly south of Chechnya region of Russia.

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/reference_maps/jpg/middle_east.jpg

[NcDeuce]

I heard some reports that Russia has troops in Georgia

http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_map/georgia.gif

Take arms! :fork:

[Seoulstriker]

I heard some reports that Russia has troops in Georgia

http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_map/georgia.gif

Take arms! :fork:


that was my first reaction. :D :D

[Longbranch]

Also, the US seems pretty pissed off that Russia isn't withdrawing those troops...Why is DoD so adamant about it?
Because the U.S. was behind the Georgian government being overthrown. Tough for the them to finish the job and install their puppet when the Russians are moving in on the American kill. I wonder if Putin was diplomatic enough to send a thank you card to Cheney.