Will the common sense prevail?

I do not speak of Medvedev's meeting with Putin which reminded of a badly directed play of an amateur theater, but I rather imply the arguments of the Russian agitation.

Was it not Putin who spoke of the restoration of the constitutional order in Chechnya 8 years ago, was it not Putin who spoke of restoration of the territorial integrity of Russia, was it not Putin who spoke of the threat of terrorism in Russia? It should be reminded that except for certain political lamebrains and Russia's enemies, everyone supported Putin at that time.

Now, either in a hope for common amnesia or for the completion of the process of making a fool of the audience, Russian officials use arguments, once used by Movladi Udugov (Ichkeria's information minister)

Ossetians can not live with Georgians (Chechens can not live with Russians), it is so wild to fire at peaceful Tkhinvali from Grad facilities (replace Tskhinvali with Grozny) and other arguments are in fact the reflection of what we heard from Dudayev and Mashad's governments.

It is remarkable that the information war involved unexpected persons. Tina Kandelaki told an impressive history of how Saakashvili, sending a message to her, invited her to his residence, where they had a political debate. It is interesting whether they had an argument before or after? I do not rule out that Ksenia Sobchak will also say her word.

But what happened in reality? As is known, Georgia has repeatedly offered to sign a peace treaty with the further presentation of wide autonomy to South Ossetia, yet the representatives of South Ossetia (read below) categorically rejected any proposals, while Russia, in the face of the Foreign Ministry, Kremlin and different analysis stated that Ossetians do not want to live within Georgia.

Now let's see who these Ossetians are.

Head of South Ossetian KGB Anatoly Baranov has previously headed Mordovian FSB, South Ossetian Internal Minister Mikhail Mindzayev-administration of the North Ossetian Interior Ministry, Defense Minister Vasili Lunev was a military commissioner of Perm and security of security council Anatoli Barankevich - former deputy commissioner of Stavropol. It means that these are nomenclature officials of Russia, who were appointed to be South Ossetians and who do not want to live in Georgian state. It is difficult to imagine how these Russian nomenclature officials can be persuaded to act otherwise. I do not even speak of this handsome Kokoyta, who can scare not only children, but also impressive adults.

Mikhail Saakashvili can be treated differently (the thing that I do).

He is extravagant, adventurer and he leaves an impression of a queer person. Yet, if we recall the way the Kremlin receives no less eccentric Hugop Chavez, it becomes clear that the point is not Mr.Saakashvili's behavior.

Most experts, with whom I have managed to exchange views regarding the developments, assess the situation differently, but they agree on the one thing: Russia's influence has been undermined dramatically and Russia has lost Georgia for long, if not forever.

Naturally, we, in Azerbaijan, are closely watching the processes and we are astonished at the fact that Russia is consistently spoiling its relations with historical allies. We see today, how Russian agitation is attainting Slavonic and Orthodox people of Ukraine and its leaders and then observe the economic and transport blockade and now the bombardment of Orthodox Georgia.

Hasn't the history taught that any attempt to enslave a whole people is impossible, isn't it clear that it is impossible to terminate interests of though a small but a sovereign country? Hasn't it become clear from the historical examples of Eastern Europe and Baltic states that it is impossible to keep the country under one's influence?

The whole Azerbaijani community supported Russia in the Kosovo issue, we considered and consider that this position was absolutely fair and we hoped that the issue of territorial integrity will be principal for the Kremlin in the future and the policy of observance of international law will be pragmatical. Yet, unfortunately, we are observing a reverse process, when a big country, openly violates all bases of international law.

When Russian experts say that South Ossetian residents have Russian passports, I wish to see the eyes of those who really believe in the power of this argument.

There are many people with Russian passports in Antalia and sometimes they are detained by the Turkish police in the drunken state. Does it mean that Russian bombers should start attacks on Turkish ports?

South Ossetia is an internationally recognized territory of Georgia, like Abkhazia and separatist regimes are beyond the law and it is illegal to receive them in one's official residences and render them any assistance, encouraging them for continuation of the separatist activity.

Any steps are always echoing. Let's recall CIA, encouraging Bin Laden for fight against Soviet Army, Basayev fighting against Georgians with Russian soldiers and remember what it ended it.

Anar Mamedkhanov

Member of Azerbaijani Parliament