Grist, who resigned from the OSCE shortly afterwards,(and then signed a new contract with KGB) has told The New York Times it was Georgia that launched the first military strikes against Tskhinvali, the South Ossetian capital.
Are you laughing at us Mr. Grist?

Vinginia, Milan, Italy

Who didn't know yet: Abkhazians in 90-es didn't start war. And number of casualties was about 4000 from both sides. It's huge number. But not more! Again it happened because Georgian national army invaded into Abkhazia first and has begun killings. In Georgia was a nationalistic regime that time.

Alex, Moscow,

how people from Western Europe and US judge about what is truth and what is not? You were not in Georgia by that time, And how in S. Osettia appeared Huge military base in Java prior to this, full with weapons and soldiers? Is it also the "peackeeping mandate of Russia"?

lasha, Gori, Georgia

Not heavy bombing of Vilages? That is a lie, at least watch videos, tv stories and satelite pictures of previous days.
And please keep in mind that before Georgian troops entered 2 of Geirgians Peackeepers were already dead and The de Jure government head Sanakoev almost killed in the explotion

Keti, Tbilisi, Georgia

RON From Amsterdam, there was a referendum in both countries and they Decided to be the Part of Georgia.
The referendums done since the war are not legal, because more than 2/3 ds of population (Ethnic Georgians) have been kicked out of Abkhszia and Ossetia. How can we judge according to them.

Koka, tbilisi, Georgia

We have to ask to Mr. Grist is he resigned or dismissed from the OSCE office in Tbilisi.Secondly, why this "competent" person went the night of August 8 in direction of Tskhinvali with his own car without any prior agreement with osce officials.
Thanks

George, Tbilisi,

georgy, new york, US

Abkhazia and Ossetia had the right to split off from Georgia under the USSR law.
When Georgia left the Union both republics (A. and O.) needed to have their own referendums.

So their case for independence is much stronger then Kosovo's!

Ron, Amsterdam,

If I remember correctly, Georgia never disputed the timeline as provided by Mr. Grist, neither that the Georgian troops were mobilizing on 7th. Mr. Grist forgets the attack on Georgian peacekeepers which killed 6 on August 6th, as well as shelling on that day of the GE villages, documented by OSCE.

David, Medford,

I am very exiting that there are some people who can say a truth even if it is hard.
Thank you Ryan Grist and Stephen Young! You have got a high self-respect.

Tom , tbilisi,

Once again our country, the USA, has been caught in its lies and propaganda. I hope this kind of behaviour changes after January 20th, because it is getting to the point where nobody believes anything we say, as indeed that shouldn´t.

Walter, Seville, Spain

It will be good to check if these British officers have not been paid by Russians.

It doesn't matter who starts at August 7th , because this war from Russia against Georgia started in 1991 and was going on since. Russian army has prepared the invasion of Georgia , intensively, since months .

Alexander sergeyevich griboyedov, Saint Petersburg, Russia, Russia

This is exactly as it was reported back in august. It wasnt till the US spoke out against russia that the world forgot the news reports.
Just shows everyone should think for them selves and forget the US view of "old Russia". If the US is involved its for their good not everyones!

Rob, London,

where were these 2 britts when russian soldiers dressed in rebel uniforms were sneaking over the borders on raids for months before this conflict erupted,nobody listened to georgias complaint at the time.the georgians in these 2 areas were killed and dispersed to make room for russians to take over.

frank, miami, u.s.a.

Why did it take 3 month ? With satellite pictures, intelligence reports and other evidence? Even great Valeriy Gergiev was blamed while he mourned dead Ossetians! Sure you Western guys owe something - towards Ossetians and Russians also.

Elena, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

How can anyone seriously say Ossetia should be a part of Georgia after this?

Just like in Kosovo, we should support democacy and the will of the people in Ossetia to be Free.

Ian Sankey, Plymouth, UK

In this long-lasting conflict, I can't tell who is right, but it appears that Saakashvili commited a crime in August 7th. Western media and NATO shamelessly supported him. My respect to two British OSCE officers,Grist and Young. Too late, although...

Paul, Frechen,

Proof that truth is the first casualty in war. When proven, will
shame and blame be apportioned, on paper , for all to see?
Then for sure, european money will repair some of the damage, but whos? Will it thus 'pay 'to be aggressive, or even to lie ? What about the dead and disposessed ? No return!

geoffrey swain, Algarve, portugal

everyone for some reason thinks that south ossetia and abkhazia are independent nations,these regions are part of georgia and alaways have been,in 1990s separatists brutally murdered 30 000 georgians and kicked out 300 thousand people out of thair homes and to this day thay are not able to go home

georgy, new york, US

Both Russia and Georgia messed up.. I blame both of them for the conflict.

Mack Skiba, Chicago, USA

And so the truth is finally allowed to come out. What now? A page 13 three sentence apology?

Almost.

A small font NYT article buried between internet ads.

rick rhodes, benington, usa

So now this is clear can the West please start to apply its 'Kosovo standards' to Ossetia and Abkhazia?
As Georgia started this conflict can it be made clear that Ossetians and Abkhazians are never to be placed under Georgian rule again?

Serbia = Georgia ?

Or still double standards?

Ron, Amsterdam,

And so the truth is finally allowed to come out. What now? A page 13 three sentence apology?

Alex, Moscow, Russia

Hopefully this will be another nail in the coffin of the "Shakashvili-schina".

Sinisa, Hamilton, Bermuda

Finally, the truth. I hope now you guys change your mind, appologize and condemn the criminal regime of Suchashvilli.

Igor, Krasnodar,

Finally !! Now people will not the truth..!

Elena, Portland, USA