Red scare

George Will's reference to the bloodshed in Georgia as "Russia's war of European conquest" (column, "Russia's war could become McCain's best weapon," Aug. 17) reflects intense befuddlement on his part.

This much is known: South Ossetia, a small enclave between Russia and Georgia, is ethnically linked to North Ossetia, a sister province lying entirely within Russia. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia has acted as protector of both Ossetias and issues passports to their citizens.

There has been bad blood between South Ossetia and Georgia for years. When Mikheil Saakashvili, a man with U.S. education and leanings, became president of Georgia, things quickly got worse.

On Aug. 8, Georgian forces invaded South Ossetia. Using tanks and arms recently provided by the United States, these forces lay waste to the capital Tskhinvali. The next day, Russian tanks moved in and drove the invaders back across the border into Georgia.

Americans who happened to be there describe the brief invasion as ethnic cleansing, much like the Balkans under Milosovic. Buildings and infrastructure were needlessly destroyed. Grenades were tossed into cellars where frightened families huddled. Survivors praised the Russians for putting a quick stop to it.

This is obviously not the "invasion of a sovereign nation" the Bush administration would have us believe.

Nothing suggests Russia is looking for regime change or trying to bring Georgia back under Soviet-style hegemony.
Yes, Russian forces are still in Georgia, but they're not advancing on Tbilisi. And they certainly don't appear to be on the way to conquering Europe, as Will would have us believe.

- BOB REID
Niceville