It is about time for the EU to admit that Georgia pre-planned the war. Of course Georgia's attack on South Ossetia and the Russian peace keepers was pre-planned. Eye-witness accounts of soldiers and civilians pointed toward that last August, and even Condi Rice went so far as to admit she warned Georgia not to go ahead with it. But why wouldn't Georgia go ahead with it? They had US trainers still in the country, US money and arms, and the promise to join NATO if they could "pacify" their rebellious provinces. Whether the US will ever admit there was pre-planning with our involvement - well, that is another kettle of fish. Obama is on record as condemning Russia's invasion and overlooking Georgia's aggression, so he missed the chance of blaming that embarrassing war on the previous administration. It may take us a while longer to admit that, gosh, Georgia blew it last year and so did we.

Spiegel made this up, as it became evident laterin Heidi Tagliavini's interview. Everybody knows that Russia pays Spiegel for such desinformation.

As always, Europe **** cannot admit the US support and coaching of Saako. Too bad. Georgia used cluster bombs, similar to what the US did against civilian Serb population in their henous 1999 attack. History repeats itself and the Hand of the Big brother is too obvious in the August of 2008 disaster. But Europe does not dare to name the culporit. Well, who expected it otherwise?

Heidi Tagliavini Ambassador and Head of Mission "The Spiegel's article is not based on information provided by the Head of IIFFMCG, Ambassador Tagliavini, or any other authorized sources. On behalf of IIFFMCG there has been no interview, background briefing or any other way of communication in order to provide information for the article".

Russia planned the war and started the war long before August 2008. This war goes back to 2002, when RosPutin started issuing Russian passports to the population in Abkhazia and S. Ossetia. In fact Russia maintained the prewar situation in Georgia since 1991. Russia greatly supported ethnic cleansing against Georgians in these regions, greatly supported separatists before 1991 and after 1991 to keep Georgia weak and broken. That is why 99% of Georgians distrust Russia. Russia will never have pro-Russian government in Georgia, until it changes its policies of sabotaging Georgias territorial integrity. Kremlin can fool its own population (and history confirms this), Kremlin can bribe German politicians (Schroeder) and press (Spiegel), but Kremlin cannot fool or bribe the entire World. That is why no country, except Russia itself, has recognized "independence" of Abkhazia and S. Ossetia.

Russia "started" the 2008 war? I don't think so. I agree that their issuance of passports was provocative. But of all the blame to be apportioned in that war, I still think Russia deserved the least amount. Georgia did not have to shoot first, but they did. The first people killed were the Russian peace keepers, according to eye witnesses. Saakashvili is on record as admitting to lying about the invasion, about who started what, first. It wasn't Russia that attempted genocide of an entire culture in South Ossetia but Georgia. I saw the home video of those Georgian soldiers laughing and whooping it up when they were shooting into apartment buildings. I have no sympathy for the Georgian government - their loss is their own fault. I DO feel sorry for the Georgians who have to live with such a loser regime. Relations between Russia and Georgia will not have any chance of healing until long after Saakashvili is removed from power.

mmm369, you are right that Spiegel's information did not come from Tagliavini. It sounds like they got "leaks" from inside her circle. The Spiegel article says "unpublished documents" so they got an early draft of the report from an anonymous worker. That is a dangerous game, because the final report may not match what is being disclosed now. However, Spiegel at least talked to other people who are familiar with the issue; one of them is a member of Tagliavini's commission, and Spiegel gave their names in the article. If they are now saying Spiegel never talked to them, then I might discount the whole Spiegel article. But if they are not complaining, then I will believe Spiegel, for now. We will have to see what the final report says.

The passport argument is utter and total nonsense. All countries I know of, can and do issue passports to other nationals. The US has issued many passports to Iranians, Russians ..... does that mean they are provocative, does that mean they have started a war, no, it just means they have met someones wishes, who freely wanted their nationality. If someone wants to hold Russian nationality, then that is their free choice, and everyone should support it. Yes it doesn't fit with the geopolitical strategy of the US, but that is irrelevent, it meets the wishes of the individuals, and that is what counts. The will of the people! I am sure soon they may wish Abkhazia or South Ossetian passports, and this should also be fine, as it is their right to self determination that should be supported. We aren't accepting the "if its sanctioned by the US its OK, if it isn't it is not OK" We absolutely don't accept the US self interested emperor role in controlling our actions, and never will.

1. As well as in Georgia is the time of public emergency which threatens the life of the nation by the Saakashvili’s tyrannical and oppression regime, the way out of such situation is the recognition by the Georgian People His Holiness and Beatitude, Patriarch of All Georgia - Ilia, II, as the President of Georgia (like His Holiness, Patriarch Cyprus - Macarios) in 3 months transition period as a mean to establish peace, security and cooperation in Georgia and Caucasus! 2. If Democracy is the People’s participation in decision making, we hope you will support Georgian People’s fight to resign peacefully Saakashvili’s criminal regime, will not de-facto nominate for us the candidate for the president of Georgia and give at last to Georgian people opportunity to conduct the fair, free and genuine elections as a mean to establish peace, security and cooperation in Georgia and Caucasus! Otherwise we will get the severe dictatorship in the near future! In that situation, International Governmental Organization and Diplomatic Corps in Georgia should not become as unintended participator and facilitator in the creation of such dictatorship.