South Ossetia is an excuse for Russia to be able to go to this region to put a presence of their own next to a democratic nation, which they have never really been fond of. Rus. does not feel the U.S. is willing to risk NUC. War over georgia and this will only further their arrogance.

Jerrod James, APO AE 09336, IRAQ

According to the constitution of the Russian Federation, " Russia historically is the guarantor of safety of people of Caucasus. " If our problems will be solved with the world community, what we the guarantor? You have not allowed us to exceed powers. Thanks. Now allow us to solve the problems.

Alexandr, Moscow, Russia

Russia's actions are eerily reminiscent of Stalinist tactics. Does the world wish to be once again engaged in a Cold War with the Soviet Union? Russia will not stop until she has re-assembled her Empire. I pray for Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia if Russia succeeds.

Michael Hulsey, Atlanta, United States

Many good people are in Georgia and some reside in the U.S. Georgia helped us with Iraq. I disagreed with the necessity with the Iraqi invasion by my President, Bush. But we should back our coalition friends. Thank you Georgia, we are praying.

Michael, Denver, colorado

It's a shame that western media are in silent for 2000 civilians which are killed by Georgian forces,for civilians which are trapped in ruins without food, water, medicine. Shame on you 'cause you forget what is your job. Serbia forgave you, but don't repeat your sins...

Alex, Belgrade, Serbia

South Osetia never was and will not be territory of Georgia! Russian always were, is and will be for the world, in it our applicability. We long suffered all this shit to address of Russia. The moment of true and the Georgian top has come will receive on merits. Georgian people, Saakashilli full rubbish and the mongrel is sincerely a pity to me.

Aleksey, SPB , Russia

How is it so many of these people, that live on Georgian sovereign territory have Russian passports? If they've decided to be Russians, then why not go back home to Russia? Prior to Aug 8th these peacekeepers were allowing separatists to continue to fire missles; shoot down planes, etc.

Roland, Tblisi, GE

What about the fact that Britain is getting a one sided report. Is there anyone in S. Osetia filiming what's going on in there? No, they're showing you only the Georgian perspective. THEY STARTED IT and REFUSE TO PULL OUT. Russian "aggression" does not exist here.

Valeriya, ny, USA

what is war anyway?-if not a conflict of ideas? can an idea be defeated by russian or american made tanks? look where mankind is coming from and where it is heading! we have fought with wood ,stones , brass, iron and now tanks and guns , yet we're still trying to prove the theory of evolution?

jacek kulikowski, los angeles,

There is no difference between Kosovo and Ossetia. America applies different rules to different regions and those rules are determined by their interests. Both wars were products of America’s struggle for domination and influence. It is that simple and obvious.

John, Sydney, Australia

The precedent was set when Nato bombed all over Serbia, killing civilians as far as 500km north of Kosovo.
I hope ceasefire will be agreed asap.

Luka, Cuprija,

To Luke from Hereford:
You wrote: 'This can not justify any war.'

You're right. The only thing I can't understand is why you address your words to Russia instead of Georgia that started the war. Saying words 'This can not justify any war' you're trying to justify this war.

Paul, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

It is obvious that the West is using Georgia as a pawn in their attempt to grab control of the energy distribution in that region. Bush bit off more than he could chew on this front and the Bear is going to smack him back to reality!

Tim, Fredonia, Pennsylvania, USA

The US purposed incursion to that region is the origin of this crisis, which must be stopped now. Does Bush think that Russia is another Iraq? The world should get sane for once. What is the meaning of putting up Missile shield at the doorstep of the former USSR?
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Emmanuel, Lagos, Nigeria

A U.S. citizen here, the Georgians earned their independence by blood. It's natural that they get a little too aggressive about what they battled for. If the citizens of that region wish to be back with Russia then so be it. Obviously so soon we don't what events really made this happen yet.

damon, Los Angeles,

Stop Russia

rati, tbilisi, Georgia

How comical that the criminal Bush is lecturing the Russians about attacking a sovereign nation.

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

Afghanistan, Chechnya, gas off to Ukraine, tanks roll into Czechoslovakia, all occured as the USSR broke up or after. Now it's Georgia's time to pay? I don't care how many Russians there are there. Germany used the excuse Russia uses now to invade Austria, Czech, and Poland.

Charles Kronyak, Reno, United States

As Russia has bombed Georgia itself, Russia shouldn't be surprised if Georgia bombs Russian cities.

Stephen, St. Ives, England

Wy US had a right ro bomb Serbia, Iraq and Russia can't protect Russians in Osetia???!!!

Maria, Yoshkar-Ola, RF

I suspect that Saakashvili was baited into this, but if so - he shouldn’t have taken that bait. We will know Moscow’s true motivations when the smoke clears and we see if Russian troops occupy more than just South Ossetia.

Scott, Michigan, USA

I hope the power of our country will destroy the military machine of Georgia as soon as possible.

Nikolay, Moscow, Russia

the world was much more peaceful place during the cold war....

victoria smirnoff, London, UK

Its a wonder that George Bush hasn't sent some contractors to help the Georgians.

Frankie, Sydney, Australia

South Ossetia is indeed full of Russian Citizens. This can not justify any war. They can leave, Russia is a big place, they have Russian passports, and the mother country has room for them. Imagine Poland trying to take over some parts of England because they have Polish people there.

Luke, Hereford, England

To Andy Johnson, Washington, USA: Do you forget what American government told when Russia started to secure "it's boarders" after series of building explosions in Moscow, provided by Chechen terrorist? And what about Serbia?
Don't you think that it looks like traditional US "double standards"?

Andrey, Moscow, Russia

You got it backwards:
Georgia attacked OS that claimed the lives of 1,500 people,
and Georgia also attacked the "peacekeepers". The sum of 1,500 includes the Russian peacekeepers lives.
Russia came in to defend its citizens, just as the UK came to defend their citizens in the Faulkland war.

ddavid, Orange County, USA

Saakashvili has too many problems in Georgia,In order to distract people from it he started this war.Common practice.But he has no excuse for killing innocent people and destroying Tskhinvali
As for Wodkaholics,oh please,it's a stereotype,I know nations who drink more much more than Russians

Medeya, Moscow, Russia

The Georgian president has under-estimated the Russians and over-estimated his western allies and that was stupid. His nation now pays a high price for this mistake. At the other side, once a conflict is raging it is not so interesting who started it but who continues it. Let see who continues it !

Patrick Verhoeven, Gouda, Holland

Szymon Wierny, South West, UK

Live what you preach Szymon.
Let England and USA remove THERE troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Weren’t those sovereign countries they invaded?

Lex, dudley, west midlands

You`re discussing who is guilty in this savage, rigorous war!
Now it `s not the point while hundreds of peaceful citizens are being killed! When I watch TV and see small kids praying and asking God to stop shooting, my heart starts bleeding!undisputedly Georgia is the culprit!

Dasha, Kiev, Ukraine

Alexander, your President is a savagely ambitious leader who wants to regain the glory of the Soviet Union- which was ruled by the evil, instability and confusion of communism. My point being that although Georgia acted wrongly, we need to prevent any progression of Russian influence and control.

James, Billericay, England

Billy,
you should have at least read previous commenss before posting this.
almost everyone in S Ossetia has russian citizenship. hundreds of russian re along with our peacekeeper troops were dying while Georgia attacked its neighbouring country, ignoring all existing treaties.

Misha, Orel, Russia

You know,dude... there will be no war at all (i hope so). Everything that is happening is a provocation,cause georgian army is unable to resist the russian army even for a mounth, but they have started this offence against Ossetia. Are they idiots? NO! THEY HAVE A PLAN! And we cannot do anything....

Dmitry, Moscow,

Reading the stories in the telegraph, you would think that it was the Russians who had killed 1500 civilians.

ian, wilts,

double standargs in the world!we recognize Kosovo's independence and do not recognize South Ossetian.
moreover,it is forbidden to fight during the Olympic Games but who cares?
make love not war.that'd be better.while dirty politicians satusfy their ambitions civilians suffer.

Medeya, Moscow, Russia

Georgia is just a puppet of USA!!! Uncle Sam want to focus attention on S. Ossetian conflict, because have a lot of problem with Afganistan, Iraq, Iran and needed draw away from them.
By the way, when USA came to Afgan, was increased production of heroin redouble.

Serega, SPb, Russia

It is amaizing how the world reacts to the Russian fascist regime war against another country. It seems that the Putin-Medvedev (ok, FSU or ex-KGB) dream of regaining Soviet empire. Russia should be expelled from all international organizations. Only thing the Russia understands, is bombing Moscow.

Robert, Tallinn, Estonia

The Georgian government and its American leaders need to understand a truth: You cant unite a country and/or world using genocide.
Every honest man should feel obliged to save citizens in Osetia.

I keep faith that this informational smog will disappear and the truth will be obvious to us all.

Slava, Voronezh, Russia

Russia certainly has an ulterior motive; look at Chechnya, the Russians have never cared about saving muslims before, why do they suddenly have an interest in S.Ossetia which is a predominantly muslim area. Let's hope this is resolved soon before some real damage is done.

Nick, Conwy, Wales

We better listen to David in England. These unnecessary wars bear humanity no good. Definitely, the rest of the world would be ready to follow America only if it can use its power righteously, instead of playing underground double standard game. How much more blood do we need to shed for influence?

Azeez Olaide Abidoye, Birmingham, United Kingdom

The Englishmen and European in common are so angry because of this situation, I see. Well, but what can You do? Are Your states able to do something to make the situation better? I think no, but let's see.

Helg, St. Petersburg, Russia

The worst of all is that Russians and Georgians have always been good friends and neighboors with common religion and culture.
I am russian, and i don't want any georgian or ossetian to be killed.

Someone is making us enemies...

Artem, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

I feel sad that some think that Russia ia a "bad guy" and Georgia ia a "good guy" in this story... Communism has truly gone! And by the way Joseph Stalin was Georgian... just something to think about....

Marina, Biysk, Russia

Who are you, who say that Georgia should be invaded.Why? Has the time of new USSR come? We are independent country. We protect our land. South Ossetia now is populeted only by separatists. All the ethnic Ossetians live in Georgia. Russia is for separatizm and terrorizm.
Irma,Georgia

Irma, Tbilisi, Georgia

People of the world. You deceive! World mass media conduct propagation of a false information. Russia DID NOT ATTACK Georgia! 07.08.2008 at 22:00 Georgia has attacked South Ossetia. At 3:30 08.08.2008 tanks of the Georgian armies have entered into city Tskhinvali. Artillery bombardment all the day l

Misha, petrozavodsk, russia

Western leaders have a nasty habit of supporting fascist and ethnically "pure" regimes (Croatia, Bosnia, pseudo-"independent" Kosovo, and Georga) with the objective of aggressively provoking Russia. Westerners really need to learn the truth of what is really going on outside of the mainstream media

Michael P., Henderson, USA

Billy, I hope there are more intelligent people in Europe. You live in your Amsterdam and don't even understand how serious the situation is.There are our citizens in South Ossetia!Reading this arti&#1089;le,I'm very dissapointed that there is an information war in Europe and the US against Russia.

Alexander, Tyumen, Russia

Bush is last person to lecture us

Tony, lancaster, uk

I don't think President Bush may do anything to help the separatist. Russia is the only ally they have. When we watch the news on CNN it seems Russia is the attacker when in reality Georgia is the country to blame for this war.

Raul Montiel, Asuncion, Paraguay

Why do all of you think that you know truth?I've been watching "Deutche Welle" today.When Medvedev said"peacekeepers" in russian-translation was "soldiers".It's not the same in the case of georg.-oset.conflict!But also there's no georgian reaction on russian TV at all.It's just informational battle!

Maxim, Kazan, Russia

Here I've read a lot of rubbish. I hope not all Europeans believe in everything what is written))I know that there is an information war in Europe and the US against Russia. But don't you understand there are our citizens in South Ossetia?And we will defend them against Georgian terror!

Alexander, Tyumen, Russia

How could it be a Russin invasion, when the overwhelming majority of South Ossetia's people are Russian. I have a friend in South Ossetia. I don't know what with him now. We are not attackers, we are defenders. We don't need this war ! Russia want Peace, and right now! I belive it just mistake.

Roman, Ekaterinburg, Russia

Russia is protecting the South Ossetians from extermination. The U.S. has no right to object to any of Russia's actions as the U.S. illegally bombed Serbia and tore Kosovo from Serbia (I am a U.S. citizen). Russia is in the right.

Greg, Portland, USA

This is a tragedy.

It can escalate if Bush actively involves US personnel to a greater extent than they currently are and if Russia responds.

The Russian invaders should immediately call a ceasefire, with their troops stood down at the very least.

They can be withdrawn later.

De Lyon Getty , Los Angeles, USA

Russia is protecting it's "citizens" in that they gave Russian passports to people who are recognized by the entire international community as Georgians, living inside the borders of Georgia. Now, as Georgia tires to secure it's boarders, Russia invades to defend these fake Russian citizens!

Andy Johnson, Washington, USA

To Chris from Memphis: the US and other Western countries (such as Germany and Britain) are LARGELY responsible for this mess as they have coddled and prodded Georgia's fascist and racist leader to act against the South Ossetians. This is a chess game played for the massive Caspian oil reserves.

Michael P., Henderson, USA

If we have established the precedence of breakaway provinces being granted independence by use of force against the will of the host state (think Kosovo) then we would be base hypocrites to support Georgia because it is a friend of the West.

Dan, Winchester, England

The only thing the UN Security Council should decide is to expell the Russia from international organizations and start economic sanctions against Russia. Nobody stopped the Hitler from destroying Europe.

Romet, Tallinn, Estonia

Russia does not want war, we wish to live peacefully. Why the USA climbs everywhere with the ambitions, agents-presidents in Ukraine and Georgia, military objects in Poland and Czechia... USA! &#1089;lean the hands from our borders.

Ilya, , Russia

Dear Myke, you'd better just try to ask one question by yourself: who has attacked first? Gotcha!

Alex, Moscow,

let's return to the fact of 1500 (now claimed 2000) civillains killed by the Georgian troops. I'm not sure Russia has a right to invade into Georgia the way it did but at least it does something to protect people. While others stand watching silently this bloodshed.

Elya, Moscow,

1500 people killed in 24 hours? The reaction of the world to this number of dead in South Ossetia is approximately equal to that of 15 Hamas terrorist killed in Gaza by an Israeli strike, so roughly the Israeli Palestinian conflict is given 100 times more attention when it involves Israel.

Mladen Andrijasevic, Be'er Shee , Israel

I wish the Russians all the best in protecting the lives of their citizens. Isn't this the purported reason why American invaded Panama a few years back?

Michael Fremlins, London, UK

Even thouhg both western and russia wants control of black sea energy corridor, in my view its saakashvilli's blunt mistake to open pandora's box by sending troops. but real loosers are south ossetia's people who were butchered.

Teja, Hyderabad, India

It was threRussian forces who invaded Georgia first according to the Georgian President. I tend to believe him rather than PM/President Putin!Next stop Ukraine Mr Putin?(if they contnue to want to join NATO and the EU).

John, Poznan, Poland

Georgian military started a massacre , destroyed the whole town , and killed about 2000 civillians . It happened long before our troops came for help . What are you talking about ? This madman viped the whole town , his men fire at refugees and medics , and after that we are culprits? Ridiculous .

Anton Pitinov, Rostov, Russia

The ossetians are NOT georgians and do not want to be part of Georgia. I hate Putin, but please try to be objective - it is not "the empire of evil leaded by Darth Putin attacks little and peaceful Georgia". Georgians started it by shooting at russian peacekeepers and have to face the consequences.

Alex, Moscow, Russia

My deepest respect to Ruben Turner, London, UK and the other English espressing opinions independent from the American Western propaganda.
To Andy, Budapest, Hungary: "Medvedev .. bombed innocent people outside the conflict zone!" In the American skillful way, this is called "collateral damages"!!!

mario meduri, milano, italy

So when Hitler attacked Russia during WW2 and the Russians responded, that was Russian aggression ? Right?

Douglas Maxwell, Richmond, Yorkshire

So Russian "peacekeeping missions" have claimed the lives of 1,500 people ... that's the usual way they do it when they take over neighbour states.

Ian, Berwick, UK

Congratulations, The Times! Great reporting. Now your readers think that Russia killed 1,500 Ossetian civilians, not Georgia

Anton, Urujupinsk, Russia

More then 90% of citizens both in South Ossetia and Abkhazia is Russian citizens. According to our Constitution Russia must to defend its citizens wherever they are. In addition there were several referendums in these territories and people of these republics wants to be with Russia.

Konstantin, Moscow, Russian Federation

I am appolled to read these comments: why people don't remember that those russian passport holders should not have them in the first place. this is a souvereign country and russia has no business giving them a russian passport in the first place. if they want to be russians, north ossetia is close

lana, glasgow, UK

US Has won here. They have another military market.
I think it's very important for the world that Mr. Obama will not belive all that bluff and stay loyal to Russia.
It's very sad situation people are dying... Think again

Andrey, Moscow, Russia

Before to blame Russia see how many people were killed or injured in South Ossetian by georgian troops. How many people lose their homes? Why all these people escape from georgian and run to Russia? If georgia so democracy country why they killed civilian people and use missiles against them?Think!

Vladimir, Moscow,

As an American citizen I fully realize that this war started with the attempted expansion of NATO into Russia's backyard. If Russia attempted to put military bases in Venezuela, bombers in Cuba and tried to get the Mexican-AMericans to cede from the US we would be up in arms.

Brian, Portland, USA

Russia has as much rights to protect its citizens as much we British have when we attacked Argentina during the Falkland War in 1982.

This maverick Georgian President should be taught a lesson by the Russia. It was Goergia which started this war by bombarding the Ossestians.

Ruben Turner, London, UK

Russian Media machine is lying like the people on this forum.

Myke, Tbilisi, Georgia

Exasionism of Soviet Communism (for such is Russian intent) has been clear sine Purtin came to power. It was a black day when Nato blocked Georia, The failings of the Georgian government are miniscule compared with the prospect of a resurrected communist "Soviet union" , which is Putin's wish

Bob Finbow, Haverhill, England

why were the russians doing military training just off the georgian borders, before the conflict started? conspiracy theory,keep america busy while iran gets under way with building nuclear weapons, also russia wants all her territory back..

jim fifer..

jim brown, wellingborough, northants

Wake up. Russia could care less about 60k "citizens". Their interests lie in curtailing democracy. Period. Look at their response and where they are sending troops in Georgia. Thank God Russia is no longer reproducing. By 2050 the pop. will be halved. Encouraging news for the rest of the world.

Adam, Edinburgh, U.K.

Russians aint protecting people there, its nonsenss to say that. Only russians themselves write such comments.

Russia wants to occupy all the little neighbours.

katri, tartu , Estonia

Dear All Russian Friends

First of all please do not make comments on the Internet which are completely irrelevant to the current situation in Georgia. The international rule is simple. Soverign country shall not be attacked, provoked into war (as in this case) etc.

Szymon Wierny, South West, UK

If you like George Bush and John McCain you will like Saakashvili. Saakashvili fears that with the Republicans out of power next year he will not be able to be as arrogant as he is now. He is desperate.

Sergey, Seattle, USA

Georgia used heavy weapons on civilians, attacked peace-keepers. Russia had to go in to protect its citizens. CNN is Soviet style propaganda. Saying that 2000 died, but forgetting to say that the majority of them are Ossetian civilians killed in the Georgian attack.

Michael, Moscow, Russia

Do U think 2000 dead Ossetian citisens is an EXUSE???

Anna, Moscow,

I think both sides have acted terribly. How could Georgia think it a good idea to launch such an attack on South Ossetia? It's nuts. Russia's retaliation in bombing Georgia itself has robbed it of any high ground it could claim. It is totally irresponsible.

Keith, Brighton, East Sussex

It's the duty of our country to protect South Ossetian people. Most of them have russian passports. Moreover, do u think it's okay, when president orders to destroy 1500 of his fellow citizens? Note please, that military actions began after Rice's visit to Georgia.

Vera, Moscow, Russia

Sure, Russia sleep and dream how to get more territory this time Georgia))) Take a look at the map which county is the biggest in the world) and after that find a map with population density and you will be surprised otherwise indeed russian are imperial maniacs as western media describe them))

Alex, Utrecht,

If one spends a few days reading post-Soviet, Soviet and Russian history, it becomes clear that the Russians are either half-right or right and that the Georgians are totally wrong in this conflict. One can find many faults and problems with modern Russia but Saakashvili is guilty as hell in S.O.!

Eugene, London, UK

Double standards!...........Reap what you sow. Nato set the precedent for independence...................now watch as more and more little new INDEPENDENT countries are born.Good for russia to protect the people of ossetia from the ethnic cleansing by the murderous georgian forces.

matt, london, UK

Seems like Russia has been waiting for an excuse to regain control of many of it's former holdings. The situation in South Ossetia is the perfect excuse for Russia to send in troops to Georgia. Will Europe wait until Russians are marching on Kiev? Maybe Warsaw?

Kirk , Toronto, CAN

If you say Russia attacks Ossetia why refugees shelter in Russia? Why do Georgia use missiles on cities of Ossetia? The answers are, the first, Saakashvili wants to destroy Ossetia as he is not able to return it to Georgia and, the second, Bush wants to take away attraction from problems in Iraq.

Marat, Kazan, Russia

Why all of do not thinking and do not telling, that 2000 of peaceful people was killed in South Osetia by Saakashvilli's murders!!!???

Serge Matveenko, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

It's stunning how the world blames the US for every problem that arises; this is clearly a Russia-Georgia issue that has nothing to do with the US. It's about Russia trying to reclaim territory and Georgia trying to impose its will on a culturally different region.

Chris, Memphis , USA

Typical Russia - Bullying small States! They are just after Georgia to complete their takeover of (another) oil route. It's time The West backed off from Russia, Russia is Bad News ! Should The West be afraid of these Vodcaholics , No !

Hugh, Buckfastleigh, England

Russia cannot permit all their former soviet republics become member of the Nato and have the US'allies at his borders. It's easy to understand. The EU cannot permit the US to bomb Serbia and back Georgia. This is the question.

nick, siena, italy

We lost Transylvania in WW1 to the Romanians, this is what is happenning to Ossetia now,the Georgians should get used to it. However, Medvedev is committing war crimes and should be trialed for it. He bombed innocent people outside the conflict zone,streching Russia's muscles further.

Andy, Budapest, Hungary

This is the first of many such Russian "peace keeping" efforts. They have returned to the Cold War model, asymetric warfare in non-contiguous states, invasion of contiguous ones. It is absurd to argue that this is analagous to US efforts in Afghanisan and Iraq, where the US will exit.

harryvt, Wilton,

The only way to stop further violence in the region is destroy all the Georgian military infrastructure. This will help for sure, the same US did in Serbia. I will repeat total destructions of the infrastructure with less possible causalities. Military bases, aircrafts, heavy weaponry. This will bring peace for sure it is simple they’ll have nothing to fight with.

Atsamaz, Belgrade, Serbia

Russia is now ready to resort to military action to maintain a stranglehold on strategic resources.

Europe's needs to secure a source of oil and gas from friendly nations and defend its independent neighbors from aggressors.

Ben, Halifax, Canada

What is British interest in this conflict? Does it justify killing thousands of Ossetians? Why shall we pay for war to bypass Russia? Can it be cheaper to use Russian pipelines?

What a life is in Georgia now, if thousands of people still prefer to fleed to barbaric Russia from Georgia!

AL, Edinburgh,

Nobody kills 1500 Russian citizens in a day and gets away with it. May Mikhail Saakashvili the lawyer be reminded of the Noriega precedent.

Anatoly, Moscow,

Russia is our defender. These 1500 civilians were killed by Georgians! Georgia is agressor, not Russia. Georgia destroyed my city and my home. Russia is the single country who help us. They save our lifes.

Mikhail, Tchinvali, South Ossetia

The Georgian movement has showered with pomegranates cellars where ossetic women and children were hidden, the cross on them is not present!!! As that not clearly lows the American president who finances Georgia in this conflict, that war, a hypocrite of horse-radishes is not necessary to it!!!

Julia, moscow,

Russia is behaving like a big bully. They have no business being involved in the affairs of Georgia. If the world does not speak up now, it will be like giving the Russians a license to terrorise their neighbours whenever they want.

Billy, Amsterdam,

The worst thing about this is inocent die and brothers fight each other for someone else's agenda. What is clear is that the knot round Saakhashvilis neck is tightening fast... and he can certainly feel it now... His lunacy hepled him dig his own grave

Anton , Swansea, UK

The US military has had a longstanding program to train Georgian troops for deployments in Iraq, i believe there are around 2000 troops stationed there at any one time. Now with they be confined to the base or will they be asked to help if only in and advisory roll?.

Clive, Dartford, Kent

Amir in London: The American are not the policemen of the world. Get your facts straight. The same events happened in Kosovo. The majority of South Ossetia are Russians and they want Russian rule.

david, london, uk

Jebitese Majmuni: right in one. America persists in its one-sided view. Kosovo was sovereign Serbian territory. Conspiring with Germany for break-up of Yugoslavia the US pushed further and supported a bunch of crooks and bandits in the KLA. Comeuppance time Bush. Same logic applies in Sth Ossetia.

Brimsdown, London, UK

That has always been a Georgian territory formerly called Samachablo after a Georgian aristocrat Machabeli. Ossetian people were kindly offered that land to live on in order to run away from the Mongolan invasians. And now apparently Georgians don't even have a right to protect their land, but why?

Nino , Manchester, England

I'm anxiously awaiting worldwide mass protests against Putin by the same people who protested against Bush regarding Iraq. I suspect I will be waiting for some time.

D. Crock't, Rutherford, USA

So Bush asked them to stop the war, has he forgotten about Iraq already

Darren, Plymouth, England

Hello.. Why this Mr. Bush do not say that Serbia has same right as Georgia regarding Kosovo issue. This all mess is done by the USA and Georgian people will suffer because American interest in this region. So now America is worried for peace, where they have been when they bombed Serbia, Iraq......

Srx, Zurich,

Saakashvili will no longer live after all. Two days ahead all natures will ask Russia to rescue region (first of all Georgian) from murdering. If it took place due to US's influence, they will keep themself far from here. Because no one want respond for blood.

Rukhtin, Krasnodar, Russia

The US should be the last nation to call for ceasefire or condemn Russia! Let Russia and Georgia settle their scores.

If the US pokes its nose too much, then Russia will do the same in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and more. It will be in the US interest to conduct diplomacy, diplomatically!

Krishna R. Kumar, Udupi, India

Ian from Berwick
your intervention in Serbia in 1999 caused between 2000 and 3000 civilian casulties (so, not counting soliders), and the action was called "Merciful Angel". That is how you do "peacekeeping". Not to mention Iraq here. British people should really wake up and smell the coffee.

Jebitese Majmuni, Belgrade,

Saakashvili will have a boomerang effect - he will achieve nothing in Osetia and his population will react against his stupid performance of a 'dog on a leash'.
He called his 'best' 1000 soldiers from Iraq to protect his chair and save his skin.

savo, london, uk

Why will the U.S. not come to the defence of the Georgians? It is their moral duty to do so. Russia cannot be allowed to get away with this, who will be next? Only the U.S. can stop them and it must.

Amir, London, UK

The USSR redux. Do we remember Western liberals wringing their hands over the prospect of including former Soviet bloc countries in NATO? The chumps said it would get Russia angry at us. LOL!

Dan , NYC, USA

The Russian warmongers should get their hands off Georgia. Georgia is an independent state and the Russians should leave it alone. The South Ossetians are Russians who have been settled there as an excuse for a war with Georgia. Russia should cease its imperialism and its bloody conquests!

Anthony Smith, Edinburgh, Scotland

Good boy Misha Saakashvili... but where was he with the cease fire claim two days ago when he started bombing the peacfully sleeping city of Tshinval saying that he will destroy "all osetians bandits and their supporters"???

Vasya, Utrecht,

Our people have been systematically exterminated for the past 19 years by the fascist Georgian regime, and their inhuman atrocities have been neglected by the world for the sake of geopolitical interest of the United States.

Sergey, Rostov-on-Don, Russia

Perhaps my history doesn't serve me so well but isn't this something like how the second world war started? Was it the Sudetenland!?

James Cullup, Oxford,

Good!!!! I hope the Russians do to Georgia what the Georgians have doen to the Ossetian people, their country and their capital. Flatten them in this just war on behalf of a small defenceless nation.

neil, London, UK

Russin "invasion"...??? How could it be a Russin invasion, when the overwhelming majority of South Ossetia's people are Russian and a Georgian artillery bombardment launched against them started the fighting...???

John Jay, Walton on Thames, UK

Unless there is intervention, Russia will remain in occupation. The vast USSR was built that way, by military annexation of neighbouring countries with suppression of local cultures and their governments. It is clear that he Russian steamroller is on the march again.

Anna, London, UK

So Russian "peacekeeping missions" have claimed the lives of 1,500 people ... that's the usual way they do it when they take over neighbour states.

Ian, Berwick, UK

As an ex cobat soldier I can tell you all there are no winners in war. Everyone looses when the first person is killed

David, Wakefield, England