Yes, but They Don’t Go!
Even after signing a cease-fire agreement that says they have to leave Georgia, the Russians, like the Chorus of Policemen in the Pirates of Penzance, don’t seem to be in a very big hurry to go.
In Gori, a strategic town on Georgia’s main east-west highway, six Russian armored personnel carriers, three tanks and two other vehicles started their engines and drove out through the sun-scorched countryside, kicking up clouds of dust.
“This is one of the first units to be pulled out,” said an official from Russia’s foreign ministry, which arranged for reporters to watch the column leave. The unit’s commander said they were heading for the Russian city of Vladikavkaz.
But close by, Russian troops could be seen digging trenches near artillery positions. Muscular, shirtless paratroopers sunbathed on civilian sofas and couches, apparently unaware of any pullout.
It was not immediately clear whether other Russian units were pulling out of their positions inside Georgia. A Reuters correspondent saw no sign of any pullout on the main road out of South Ossetia to Russia overnight.
Russia has the upper hand here and they darned well know it. They won’t take any action they don’t have to and we’re certainly not giving Putin any compelling reason to keep his word.
UPDATE: I don’t think the Russians quite have the concept of “cease-fire” down yet, do you?
Other Posts of Interest:
- Russia to the World: Yeah, Georgia’s Ours. Screw You.
- Is Putin Overreaching?
- A Return to Realpolitik?
Category: Alliances and Allies, No More Tyrants
