http://watching-history.blogspot.com/2009/10/future-of-pakistan.html

I am Georgian living in the US and I just happen to read your editorial “Russian-Georgian Conflict Proves Machiavelli Wrong”.
Ms. Chan, forgive me, but what do you mean when you say “But the international community should not condemn a state for protecting another state that is not terrorist and clearly just wants independence.” by this? Do you realize that Russia was not “protecting” another state, but was simply crossing into another state to “protect” its “citizens” on another state’s territory? Do you know that South Ossetia never existed in the history and was an entity created by communists? Do you know that the territory called “South Ossetia” was always genuine Georgian land? Well, sorry, but you obviously don’t know that.

Your words _ “If Russia is confident enough to allow elections in South Ossetia, which they probably will do because they intend to withdraw as soon as more peacekeeping troops arrive, which the EU has promised, or absorb South Ossetia to be united with their kin, Russia will show they truly only want the best for South Ossetia.”
Ms. Chan, you completely ignore here what Georgia wants and what are Georgia’s rights on its own territory. Are you really that naive to believe that Russia will withdraw from the territory it has occupied? And, what do you mean by “absorbing South Ossetia to be united with their kin?!!! Do you understand that what you are saying is cutting out a chunk from Georgia and adding it Russia? If Russia really wanted good for Ossetian people, this war would never take place.
But you go even further and say “Was the EU too lenient in complying with some of Russia’s demands such as allowing them to continue recognizing South Ossetian and Abkhaz independence? No, because Russia’s true intentions seem to be advocates for self-determination not to “forcibly change borders.” South Ossetia and Abkhazia should be allowed self-determination, and all parties involved should be held responsible if human rights abuses are occurring.”
It is appalling to me to hear something like this, because it cannot be any further from the truth. What self-determination are you talking about, Ms. Chan? Is that called self-determination when 60% of original population in “Abkhazia” are refugees scattered throughout not occupied parts of Georgia without any chance to vote? Pretty much similar situation in “South Ossetia”.
Please remember, when you are discussing topics of this importance to many people that suffered and are still suffering in consequence of hostilities, it is very important to know more about the subject of your discussion.
I am sorry if I have been offensive, but it is very painful to see how incorrectly everything is interpreted when the knowledge of reality is based only on the propaganda!
Please check on the history of the region and its conflicts from reliable and unbiased sources and discuss the current events afterwards.

Konstantin T. Akhvlediani
Columbia, SC

You might also be interested in a new America.gov feature on Cybersecurity which delves into many aspects of the broader story. See http://www.america.gov/cybersecurity.html