Now I wonder - how might the conflict between Georgia and Russia effect
visas between the USA and the Russian Federation?
American politicians have ’strongly condemned’ the ‘Russian aggression’
against Georgia. Russia has expressed ’serious disappointment’ regarding
USA taking sides with Georgia and misrepresenting the conflict for political
ends.
Background: In the early 1990s, Southern Ossetia (as well as Abkhazia and
Adzharia) declared independence from Georgia, and for many years, have been
as autonomous republics. Under increasing pressure from Georgia as they
attempted to ‘re-assimilate’ Southern Ossetia, the people there have sought
to separate completely and even to become an autonomous republic within the
Russian Federation (as well as Abkhazia - Adzharia has not made such
overtures so far).
USA has well established bases within Georgia, which are of strategic
geographic importance. Georgia has in turn lent soldiers to patrol the
Iranian border within Iraq. The eventual confrontation in Southern Ossetia
should not have a big surprise, except for the general lack of world news
being presented to the American public. So the current headlines represent
the Georgian assault on Tskhinvali as if it was in retaliation to Russian
aggression, and not as a reaction to Southern Ossetia and Abkhazia seeking
international recognition and the establishment of defined independence,
as did Kosovo. Furthermore, the indication is given that the majority of the
casualties were by Russian bombardment, while the opposite is true.
So, as Bush delivers more rhetoric and continues to admonish the Russian
Federation to back off and leave Southern Ossetia and Abkhazia to defend
themselves, or to negotiate peace (by surrender) and Russia continues to
expound upon their disgust at the misrepresentation of the situation, “we”
are caught in the middle. If Bush decides to simply send troops and/or
advisors and/or weapons into Georgia, we may see a freeze of diplomatic
relations, which could mean a freeze on visas in either or both directions.
Worse yet, should American troops engage Russian troops directly, who kno
ws where that would end?
Americans are already being evacuated “voluntarily” from Georgia and urged
to consider departure from “affected areas.” I expect to receive my
invitation soon, and now I wonder if my visa request may be denied for
political reasons. And I wonder if this may affect new immigrant visa
petitions for Russian brides.
Kiss Russia goodbye and if we are believing all of the Russian
propaganda regarding this invasion of a democratic country that would
be naive. Russia will soon be kicked out of the G-8 and become
isolated from the EU and the US. The Ukraine is next and eastern
european nations are in panic mode. Putin is out to reclaim the old
Soviet Union. And the Russians have been preparing for this invasion
for months. The Russians will either leave Georgia on their own will
or be routed by NATO. We are entering a whole new era and if Russia
doesnt budge and continue on this path it will face dire consequences.
