Daily Lesson from Life 12 August 2008

"Russian president says Georgian claim of ceasefire 'lies'
Georgia to quit Commonwealth, urges Ukraine to follow suit. -Tue, Aug 12, 2008 AFP

MOSCOW, Aug 12, 2008 (AFP) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday slammed as "lies" a claim by Tbilisi that Georgia had ordered a ceasefire at the weekend, saying Georgian forces continued to attack.

"The Georgian claim that there has been a ceasefire for two days is lies," Medvedev said in a televised press conference standing alongside French President Nicolas Sarkozy. "To put it simply, there was no ceasefire," he added.

Meanwhile, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said Tuesday Georgia would quit the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and urged Ukraine to follow suit."


It is the nature of men that he cannot accept or tolerate peace? Every time when the world tried harder to achieve peace for all in the most troublesome places on earth, someone who are or were at peace decided to stir up things with a bit of fighting and bombing here and there!! What's wrong with these people?

I do not understand the history nor the real issue behind this Russia and Georgia spit! But I do know it cannot be good for human kind!!

Lessons for me are:

1. a good vision must be based on non-infringement of others' basic rights. Whatever the reasons for the split from then Soviet Union to the current state of Russia and many other ex-Soviet Union countries, it is wrong to forcibly made them returned. People's will must be respected;

2. whenever there is war, the ordinary people suffered. If the leaders are thinking about the well being of the people, they would not start a war;

3. unless the leaders are willing to sit down and be opened about the issues and be willing to compromise, there will not be win-win situation. Even if the victors conquered the weaker party, there will not be real commitment to keep peace but just compliance. When the cat is out, the rats rule. The cat will be busy and cannot rest. Is this what any 'powerful leader' want for himself? Constantly watching others and forcing them to do as the leader said without commitment?

I sincerely hope this 'fighting' will quickly blow over and nothing serious develop from this.