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Title: Casualties mount as Russia-Georgia conflict spreads
Source:
ABC Australia
URL Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/11/2330758.htm
Published: Aug 10, 2008
Author: Scott Bevan
Post Date: 2008-08-10 21:45:27 by Rotara
Keywords: None
Views: 17
Posted Troops in South Ossetia: Russia's Foreign Minister says that his country is trying to restore peace (AFP: Dmitry Kostyukov) For all the talk about ending the fighting between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia, the conflict and the killing continues. Russian jets have struck at targets near Tbilisi, including the airport, and Russia says its warships sank a Georgian naval boat. Russia denies it has targeted civilians but pictures out of Georgia and eyewitness accounts show civilian casualties in what appear to be non-military areas. Georgia says it observed a ceasefire but Russian forces maintained their attacks. The UN wants the parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire. After three days of fierce fighting in the region, the dreadful cost of the conflict has been coming to light. Officials estimate 2,000 have been killed, with many more remaining unaccounted for. "I did not find my daughter, we've lost each other," one man said. Tens of thousands have fled the Georgian breakaway region, seeking refuge in neighbouring Russia. Others are stuck in towns and the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, according to local reports. Food and water is scarce, there is no power, and emergency medical care has to be carried out in basements because a hospital has been shelled. In spite of that, some will not or cannot leave. "I am old already, an old woman. And all of a sudden, 'Come on. Flee! Leave your native land! Forward!' I can't!" one woman said. The South Ossetians are living and dying on bitterly disputed ground. The region has been trying to gain independence for years from Georgia. On Thursday, after months of spiralling tension, Georgian forces rolled into South Ossetia, reaching Tskhinvali. The following day, Russia, a long-time supporter of the separatist push, responded with might as tank columns rumbled across the border and planes attacked from above. The conflict has spilled beyond South Ossetia, with Russian air strikes on Georgian military facilities and infrastructure, including close to the capital Tbilisi. Georgia's leaders have also accused Russian forces of striking civilian areas, but Moscow has responded by saying its forces target only armed formations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has told the BBC he does not believe the area is on the brink of war, but Russia is trying to restore peace. "I believe we have an objective picture of it. For a mandate to liberate the zone of conflict from violators, whatever it takes, we will do," Mr Lavrov said. Russia in Global Affairs magazine editor Fyodor Lukyanov says Moscow has to react, not only because of its support for South Ossetia's leaders, but also to protect many of those in the region who have Russian citizenship, as well as its peacekeepers stationed there. He says the United States' alliance with Georgia, including supporting its bid to join NATO, may have emboldened President Mikhail Saakashvili to try to restore control over South Ossetia. "This overwhelming support was interpreted by Georgian leadership in that way that America is with us and they will endorse us whatever we will do," he said. "That was, I think, a very important factor why Saakashvili decided to act now." Mr Saakashvili has said Georgia's ties with the US may be why Russia invaded his country. While Georgia says it has ordered its troops to cease fire in South Ossetia, there is growing concern about another breakaway region within its borders, Abkhazia. There are troop movements in that self-declared republic, including Russian reinforcements of its peacekeepers, which is being viewed with concern by the outside world. Mr Lukyanov believes the fighting in the region will cease soon, but providing stability will take much longer. He says no one but Russia questions Georgia's territorial rights over the two self-declared republics, but after this, South Ossetia and Abkhazia will be more determined than ever to break away. "I think it's a stalemate ... nobody understands how to overcome," Mr Lukyanov said.
Spiralling tension
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