South Ossetian conflict

[Kari Lumppio]

it looks like:

- there was some kind of small clash several days ago, but both parties (Georgia and Russia) agreed on cease of fire

Hello!

I thought Russian were and are supposed to be peacekeepers, not a participant? The initial shellings towards Georgia was made by (South) Ossetians, not by Russians? Or do I have it wrong?


Other points to ponder:

Russia has not recognized the independency of South Ossetia (I would see recognition as the fair solution). Why? What are they going to do now?

Who are gaining from the instability in the region? Not Russia, not Georgia. Not Ossetians, not Abhasians, not Georgians. Are "they" the "silovniki" in Moscow like suggested by this Russian article in Radio Echo site?:
http://www.echo.msk.ru/programs/code/532628-echo/
(google tranlates it easily)
The article goes so far that compares South Ossetian regime with Hamas and says it is keeping their own people as hostages to gain themselves.

According to some sources South Ossetian economy is/was based on two things: dotations and similar from grey to black money from Moscow and smuggling. Georgians put customs on the county border awhile ago and smuggling has been diminshed. Tha left money from Moscow the major income. Large portion of the money vapours away while travelling from Moscow to Tskhinval.

All this is clear as a mud.


Kari

PS Why similar thread was not initiated when the so called "Iraqi Freedom" was launched?