America and EU Unable to Help Georgian Ally
Russia Expands War and Invades Georgia from South Ossetia
Aug 11, 2008
Hindered by two wars, a disillusioned populace, depleted military options and an ending term as America’s leader, President Bush could offer little to aid her European ally. Furthermore, Western Europeans, linked to Russia with an energy umbilical cord, hesitate to risk economic ties for Georgia’s war.
Understanding the limited options available to the USA and EU, Russia uses the all-out military invasion of Georgia to continue a thoughtful expansion plan. Thaddeus McCotter wrote today in the Washington Times, NY Senator Charles Schumer noted, "Former KGB Lt. Colonel and current Russian strong man Vladimir Putin seeks to regain the power and greatness Russia had before the fall of the Soviet Union." Serious miscalculation about his Western ally’s abilities, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, has placed his nation is an existence threatening position.
American & EU Response
There are calls from around the world for the war in Georgia to stop. Jonathan Landay wrote in Saturday’s Miami Herald, “But U.S. calls for a truce, which were echoed by the European Union, appeared to have little impact…Even as it accused Russia of using ‘disproportionate’ force in the conflict over Georgia's rebel South Ossetia province, the US…found itself with few diplomatic or military options to deter Moscow's ferocious air and ground assault.”
Helene Cooper wrote in her March 30, 2008 article, Cold War Chill in McCain Remarks on Russia, “…Mr. McCain’s rhetoric sounded almost like a trip back in time, to the days of the cold war, when major foreign policy addresses…always included the requisite bashing of the Soviet Union.” However, other than his call to throw Russia out of the G-8; he offers little else.
- UN Security Council – There have been calls for sanctions against Russia by the United Nations. But according to the Charter of the UN Security Council, as one of the 5 permanent members of the Council, Russia can “…prevent the adoption of any 'substantive' draft Council resolution, regardless of the level of international support for the draft…” Russia has the Veto and as such can block any draft measure, effectively making UN sections against her impossible.
- EU & US Sanctions – The USA has had numerous sanctions in place for years. In 2006, the USA announced sanctions against Rosoboronexport and Sukhoi (two large Russian corporations) that Russian newspaper Pravda said in August of that year, “…seems that the issue is…a general discontent with Russia’s recent policies.” The ineffectiveness of those sanctions can be seen in the recent Russian invasion.
- Energy – The EU is highly dependent on the Russians for natural gas and oil. Remembering the affect of the Russian-Ukrainian natural gas pipeline riff leaves many European nations in fear. According to EuroActiv in November 2005, “The EU-25 is dependent on Russia for 25% of its gas and 25% of its oil.” The Washington Times article said, “This week Russia cut the Czech Republic's crude-oil supplies by 40%.”
- Economics – The EuroActiv article continued, “…sales of raw materials to the EU provide most of Russia's foreign currency and contribute to over 40% of the Russian federal budget.” While a potential negotiating point, the EU is not Russia’s only potential market. Europe desperately needs these raw materials to maintain its economic engine but, Russia has another client for its products – China.
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