Georgia - Russia conflict: Disaster for working people

AS THE Olympic Games in China opened, attracting the attention of the world's mass media, the conflict over the recognition of the republic of South Ossetia in Georgia exploded into open military conflict. CWI members in CIS (former Soviet Union) produced this statement on 8 August.

The pro-American president of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvilli, sent troops to attack Tskinvalli, the capital of South Ossetia, and other places, with, according to South Ossetia's president, the loss of over 1,000 lives.

At least 15 Russian "peacekeeping troops" who were based in South Ossetia were killed.

In response, Russia sent in tanks and started air attacks, not only on Georgian troops, but, according to Saakashvilli, air bases, ports and even civilian areas away from South Ossetia. Saakashvilli declared Georgia to be in a 'state of war' and called up reserves.

Many residents in South Ossetia will, undoubtedly, look at intervention of Russian troops as a means to defend the peaceful South Ossetia population from the aggression of the Georgian army. However, as the experience of the bloody ethnic conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere shows, the use of troops cannot guarantee the safety of peaceful citizens.

The Russian "peacekeeping mission" that was based in South Ossetia failed, and the current conflict threatens to pull in nearby unrecognised republics such as Abkhazia and Nagorno-Kharabakh.

The Caucasus faces the threat of a full scale regional war, with the possible involvement of other world powers.

The powers in both Russia and Georgia will use this conflict for their own ends. The Russian Kremlin will blame ordinary Georgians, the Saakashvilli regime will blame ordinary Russians, and the people who suffer, as always, will be ordinary people, Ossetins and Georgians.

In the next period, there will be a new racist campaign against Georgians in Russia. But it is these very powers that are to blame for the death and destruction.

These measures will be used to divide the peoples of Georgia, Russia and Southern Ossetia on ethnic lines. We must not let them defend their interests at the expense of ordinary people.

We call on all worker and left activists in Russia, Georgia and South Ossetia, and, of course, in other countries, to demand that military activities are immediately halted. Workers cannot rely on the uncontrolled actions of their governments or intervention by some outside forces to solve the conflict; they can only rely on their own forces.

• For the immediate stop of military activities and the withdrawal of troops from South Ossetia.
• For the right of South Ossetia, and the other unrecognised republics, to self determination without military intervention.
• For united actions by the working masses of Georgia, Russia and South Ossetia to overthrow those governments who wage war against ordinary people.
• For the establishment of governments which will defend workers' interests, overcome poverty and ensure peace in the region; for a democratic socialist federation of the Caucasus.

A fuller analysis will be on the CWI website socialistworld.net