Full Version: What's going on in Georgia?
QUOTE
TBILISI, Georgia, Nov. 22 — Opposition supporters broke into Georgia’s parliament Saturday and took it over, scuffling with lawmakers and forcing President Eduard Shevardnadze to flee as tens of thousands of protesters outside demanded his resignation.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/996890.asp?0cv=CB10
What is going on and is it another sign of the growing instability of the world we live in? And, how and will this effect europe?
Will first and foremost, this effects us in the respect that it dominated our news screens yesterday, overshadowing Englands victory in the Rugby Union World Cup final 
Secondly, you get used to it. As a European I mean. It is something we are used to, both historically and in my lifetime. If civil war is to break out in Georgia, I have a feeling most people will be thinking "here we go again".
Of course I am sympathetic towards the Georgians, and of course the other neighbouring former Soviet states of Azerbaijan and Armenia. War would not be a good thing for this part of the world, even if it does mean the beginning of a better era in Georgian history. War isn't good but change certainly can be.
Europe will watch this, sit on its hands for sometime, and if things turn for the worst probably find some way of getting involved. The only thing I worry about is that this is yet another issue in which Russia and NATO may be at loggerheads. If one gets involved, no doubt the other will feel it needs to do something also.
I have no doubt that complete stability will one day come to the entire European continent, as far east as the Urals and south as the Caucasus mountains. Its a while away yet though
Secondly, you get used to it. As a European I mean. It is something we are used to, both historically and in my lifetime. If civil war is to break out in Georgia, I have a feeling most people will be thinking "here we go again".
Of course I am sympathetic towards the Georgians, and of course the other neighbouring former Soviet states of Azerbaijan and Armenia. War would not be a good thing for this part of the world, even if it does mean the beginning of a better era in Georgian history. War isn't good but change certainly can be.
Europe will watch this, sit on its hands for sometime, and if things turn for the worst probably find some way of getting involved. The only thing I worry about is that this is yet another issue in which Russia and NATO may be at loggerheads. If one gets involved, no doubt the other will feel it needs to do something also.
I have no doubt that complete stability will one day come to the entire European continent, as far east as the Urals and south as the Caucasus mountains. Its a while away yet though
It's early days, but it looks like the (so far) peaceful revolution has more akin to the "Velvet" revolutions in the former Communist states of Eastern Europe (most notably Ceaucescu-era Romania).
The interim President (former speaker of their parliament, under their constitution - so far, so good) has said the the main national objectives are to join NATO and the EU.
If that holds true, and a stable Western-facing democracy emerges, it would be a very GOOD thing in the medium and long term for the Black Sea region and for wider Europe and even the Central Asian former Soviet Republics. Perhaps the old domino theory could then be overhauled and brought out to describe the spread of democracy, and could give the leading Western powers new ideas on hold to achieve their long-term goals.
The interim President (former speaker of their parliament, under their constitution - so far, so good) has said the the main national objectives are to join NATO and the EU.
If that holds true, and a stable Western-facing democracy emerges, it would be a very GOOD thing in the medium and long term for the Black Sea region and for wider Europe and even the Central Asian former Soviet Republics. Perhaps the old domino theory could then be overhauled and brought out to describe the spread of democracy, and could give the leading Western powers new ideas on hold to achieve their long-term goals.
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