Yes, but from the Russian point of view the same could be said about Kosovo. The whole world recognized it was part of Serbia, until suddenly Madeline Albright and CNN became obsessed with the fate of the Moslem majority there. Then, suddenly, for humanitarian reasons it had to be seperated.
The Russians are simply running the Albright / Clinton playbook back at us. Of course being Russians it is somewhat clumsy immitation without the niceities of UN resoltions or whatever smoke and mirrors Clinton and Albright used to give legitimacy to the dismanteling of a soverign state.
Next one might expet to see Georgian political leaders put on trial, ala Milosovich. I am sure plenty of proof of "war crimes" and "ethnic cleansing" can be found in South Ossessia. The unprovoked rocket attacks of 8/7 by the Georgians on the provincial capitol alone will provide all the fodder needed.
When all this happens CNN will no duobt have Holbrooke and Albright and Sandy Burger and maybe even the 'toon himself on to deplore what the Russians are doing.
Putin is certainly enjoying every minute of this! And making sure we know it.
None of that pertains here. Using that logic any invasion could be justified. The Russians are clearly wrong here and setting a precedent. Kosovo was different in many ways.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus