Georgian / Russian War -- News Updates On The Diplomatic Front

United Nations Security Council

NATO, EU to Hold Crisis Talks as Russia
Advances in Georgia -- Deutsche Welle

As Russian troops and tanks advance on the Georgian capital, officials from NATO and the EU scheduled talks over the war in the Caucasus to show they can make a difference in their own backyard.

Pleading for a hands-on approach from NATO and the European Union, Salome Samadashvili, Georgia's ambassador to the EU, told journalists in Brussels on Monday, Aug. 11, that the organizations "need to show that there will be a political cost for this action in terms of the relationship of the Russian Federation with its Western partners," DPA news agency reported.

"Either we find a way to respond to (Russia's military action) together or we have to live with the decision that we will face a different world tomorrow," she added.

Georgian forces retreated on Monday to Tbilisi from other parts of the country in order to defend the capital.

"The invading army of the Russian Federation has entered Georgian territory outside the conflict zones of Abkhazia and South Ossetia," the Georgian government said in a statement. "The Georgian army is retreating to defend the capital. The government is urgently seeking international intervention to prevent the fall of Georgia and the further loss of life."

Read more ....

Georgian / Russian War -- More News On the Diplomatic Front

Russia calls for urgent meeting with NATO -- China View
U.S. Vice President Cheney Vows Russian Offensive Will 'Not Go Unanswered' -- ABC News
Big powers urge Russia to accept truce -- International Herald Tribune
Diplomatic Efforts Stepped Up as Georgia, Russia Refuse to Back Down -- Voice Of America
Cold War reheated as U.S. and Russia duke it out over Georgia -- Reuters
Diplomats Wage Verbal War as Caucasian Conflict Flares Up -- Deutsche Welle
U.N. to tell council of Russia incursion into Georgia -- Reuters
Europe taking a diplomatic approach to Caucasus conflict -- International Herald Tribune
Georgia: The return of Cold War diplomacy -- The Telegraph
U.S., allies keep up pressure on Russia to end attacks in Georgiaa -- L.A. Times
NATO to hold emergency talks with Russia on Georgia -- Reuters
EU foreign ministers to meet August 13 on South Ossetia -- Sofia Echo
Eastern Europe anxious as Russia attacks Georgia -- AP
We warned you about Russia - central Europeans -- Reuters
Russia urged to agree to Ossetia ceasefire -- ABC Radio Australia
Brown urges Russia over ceasefire -- Press Association
The West Condemns Russia, Rules Out Military Intervention -- Kommersant
Vladmir Putin attacks the West's 'cynical support' for Georgia -- Times Online
Official statement from the government of Cuba -- Granma
McCain calls for diplomatic effort with Russia -- AP
McCain says Russia faces severe fallout over Georgia -- Reuters
FACTBOX - What U.S. candidates are saying about Ossetia -- Reuters
UN assisting thousands displaced by Georgia conflict -- UN Nwes Center
UN agency begins food assistance in Georgia -- International Herald Tribune
Humanitarian effort begins in Georgia -- CNN
France, Germany contribute aid for Georgia, UN feeds displaced -- Canadian Press

My Comment: Diplomats are now rushing from their summer vacations to address the big diplomatic issue of this year. While their pronouncements are going to be impressive .... it will have no impact on the ground. Russian news websites, Russian editorials, and reaction in the Russian blogosphere is what is driving the Russian people, and they are driving their diplomats and leaders.

Prime Minister Putin and his allies are taking .... what was originally a bad situation .... into one that is to their advantage. They are reasserting Russia on the international scene .... and more importantly .... Russia's influence on their neighbors. The international diplomatic community may huff and puff .... but Russian leaders are listening only to their allies and friends. They have made the calculation that once the war is over, everything will return to normal with one exception .... respect for Russian strength and image.

What I find interesting is that China has been very quiet .... they must be frustrated that their moment in the sun is now being eclipsed by the war in the Caucasus.

I can now understand why the ancient Greeks never permitted war during the Olympics .... who wants a distraction like that. I am sure that the Chinese will agree.