Best wishes, ALE

Thank you for the compliments on my work, as well as the well thought-through challenge to my view. I wish I had the time to respond to the specifics of your comment, but unfortunately I do not have the time at the moment, nor do I think it will be useful at this point. Although we disagree on the details of the matter, I think what’s most important is that we agree on the fact that innocent people are suffering because of political ambitions of the elite. And also, I sincerely think that to a degree we are both buying into the lies of one side or the other. Let us then, pray and hope for the peace and justice and clarity on the matter.

daniel

You are a very talented photographer and I truly enjoy your photos. As for the issue at hand, they are complex and tragic. Thankfully you do have an outlet for discussion (your comments are not subject to cyber attacks by this government). However, I have just returned from Georgia and would like to add a few comments from my first hand experience. Before I do, I must say that Russia Today (the source of the clip you posted) is no where near a reliable news source. They forbid their correspondent in Georgia from reporting that Russia bombed Gori and he then quit in protest. It is a very biased news source funded by the Kremlin.

I must also say that while I am not a supporter of the current US administration, and I find it has NUMEROUS faults, I do not believe it has been lying about what happened in Georgia. The Russian leadership and military on the other hand has done so blatantly.

As for coverage by Western media of Tskhinvali, well they were forbidden access by Russian military. When they were finally allowed in several days later they were ambushed by Ossetian militia and had four cars stolen at gun point while Russian military stood by. As for the death toll in Tskhinvali, while VERY VERY tragic and awful, it is not the 2000 originally claimed by Moscow, but under 100, actually only 44 have been confirmed according to Human Rights Watch. Russia has not presented any evidence of Georgian “genocide”. There is however quite a bit of evidence being presented to show the cleansing of Georgians from Tskhinvali region as well as the Russian “security zone” and the burning and bulldozing of their villages – this is documented and there are satellite photos (unosat.org)

I also take issue with your claim that Georgia “absorbed S. Ossetia” this is not true as S. Ossetia never existed before the Soviet Union. Yes the wars are all terrible and Gamsakhurdia pursued horrible policies and his actions continue to have terrible ramifications, but Saakashvili is not a dictator and there is no evidence of genocide by Georgia against Ossetians.
As for the destruction of Tskhinvali, well it was not in good shape before this recent war and both Georgia and Russia are responsible for its destruction. I believe Ossetians and Georgians can live together in one Georgia and the key is to finding a way to connect by moving past the rhetoric and propaganda of people like Medvedev, Putin, Kokoity, Bagapsh and Shamba.

While I do believe that Saakashvili does have his flaws, he is not the dictator Russia makes him out to be. Samochablo (S. Ossetia) is part of Georgia and it is controlled by rebels and war lords who use the territory to traffic drugs and weapons, these rebel leaders have done nothing for the people who live under their control. On the contrary the Georgian government has tried to crack down on illegal actions and also send in shipments of aid to people living in the region. This is a fact. It may have been a stunt, but it is true. In the case of the August fighting it is quite clear that Russia was the aggressor. Putin made it quite clear when the west recognized Kosovo that Georgia would pay the price. Over the past several years Putin has worked toward regime change in Georgia, he put in place economic embargoes, bombed Georgia, and then began preparing a trap. Russia dredged Ochamchire harbor, rebuild the rail through Abkhazia and rebuild roads inside Russia to a closed Georgian border and also amassed troops on the border. Ethnic Georgian villages were attacked by Ossetian militia before the Georgian military took action. If Washington State were attacked would you not expect your government to protect you?

According to international observers and the US Embassy, it was South Ossetian forces who first fired large caliber artillery shells at Georgian peacekeepers and Georgian villages in Ossetian controlled territory on Aug. 1. Soon after Russia began moving tanks and BMPs into Roki Tunnel. There is also evident that when Georgian forces began to move toward Tskhinvali on August 7th, Russian forces had already passed through the Roki tunnel, (see September 16th article in the New York Times).

My heart goes out to everyone who paid the price for this ill-fated war regardless of their ethnicity, but having been there, I must say that for once the western media was not so far off the mark. Russia cannot behave this way in the 21st century. They need to pull out of Georgia and let a truly international observer force do its work throughout Georgia – Tskhinvali and Abkhazia included. Russia has NOT been an observer but a party to the conflict for over 15 years and that is now clear to the world. I too have family from Abkhazia who lost everything in the 1992-94 war and I have been to Abkhazia and can honestly say that NO ONE won that war. I am sure you know that. I believe that the only way to resolve this is to find a way to bring together the people, not the leaders, to work toward a better future for all those who have suffered losses in these conflicts. If you are interested please let me know.

I wish that everyone may live in peace in their own homes.

ALE

Thank you for your comment. During the war in South Ossetia, I have spent hours upon hours trying to speak out againsts the propoganda we were fed in America. The reason I was so upset about the lies is BECAUSE I love the US and the injustice really disappointed me. Since you have relatives directly in the region, you are a very very strong source of truth. Therefore, do your best to influece the sphere of people you are around. If all those that know the truth spoke out, we wouldn’t be brainwashed by the media.

And thank you for the kind words about my photography. I am glad you are enjoying it. It is a great blessing and joy to hear people say nice things about my work.

And yes, we are independent! (Hopefully the rest of the world realizes that too).

Have a wonderful night.

daniel

I grew up in Tskhinval, the rest of my story is the same as yours

I’m glad that you are posting about this; I have been equally as frustrated by the coverage of the news. I have family in Tskhinval who lived through these recent events. I will believe them before I believe any other media coverage. Believe me, even if the city is not exactly 70% destroyed, its pretty close. The recent death toll was up to 1490. There were a lot of people killed in their homes, many of whom still lay unburied under the rubbles. To anyone who refuses to believe the devastation and wants to see pictures, I suggest they go there themselves. These people don’t have the time or resources to take pictures of their city; they are grieving the death and destruction of their homeland, as am I.

To those that say we hate this country and should not speak against it: just because we are immigrants, and care for our history and our people, does not mean that we do not love this land as well. I am so grateful to be here and for all the opportunities given to me here. As an American, and also, as an Ossetian, I have a right to question what my government and what the media is depicting. Any self-respecting individual should. Always.

On a lighter note, Daniel, I love your photography. I am happy to see that someone from a brotherly country (yes! country! Happy Independence!), and a brother to me, has such wonderful talent, and is so successful. May you and your family be blessed!

Valieva Olga

First, it is true that the US has given me much good and blessings, for which I am very thankful. Therefore, because I care about this country, it hurts me to see the leaders of it lie to its people, and so I speak out. If I hated this country, I would not have hurt so much for what is going on inside of it.

Secondly, I do not stand for a country, I stand for truth. It doesn’t matter who is doing wrong–America, Russia, or Zimbabwe, it is still wrong. Russia may be wrong to hurt your people in Moldova, and it has also done much wrong in Chechnya, but that doesn’t mean that (a) They are wrong right now (b) That America is right. And as I said in previous posts, Russia’s intentions may not be righteous, but they are defending Ossetians and Abkhazians nevertheless. In other words, my point is–just because you hate Russia, does not mean they are always wrong, and just because you love America, does not mean that the US is always right.

Thirdly, we are not “brainwashed by Russia”, we have seen war with our own eyes, and what the Georgian army has done to our land. We have relatives there right now as well, whom, as I said in the article Saakashvili would not care to spare. Please don’t argue to me about something of which I know about.

And fourthly, when you post on this blog, you are speaking at a private venue. So to be granted the First Amendment, be respectful to the owner.

This country gave YOU a refuge here, please keep that in mind and thank God for that , you have a food on your table, place to live,and opportunity to make money here.
Do not blame USA for all of the world`s problems!

P.S. If you believe in First Amendment leave this comments here.