US involvement in Syria and the Georgian position

The crisis in Syria and the possible involvement of the US in the country gives birth to intensive speculation in Georgia as well. Analysts, journalists, and politicians offer different opinions and interpretations over the now inevitable US-led involvement. Some analysts here in Georgia suggest that the complications could indirectly affect Georgia as well.

Tbilisi supports the opinion of the US that the Syrian government should be punished by the international community for using chemical weapons against its own citizens. Moscow, meanwhile, is categorically against such a decision. Russia has vetoed the US plan as they usually do (along with the Chinese) on the United Nations Security Council and therefore, the US has to take action without a UN mandate, technically making any action illegal according to international law.

Pro-Russian forces in Georgia feel that Georgia’s support of the US might become dangerous for the country. Syrian officials meanwhile, threaten the supporters of the US position with military attacks. Of course, Georgia’s support towards the US will be only verbal. However, pro-Russian forces insist that as soon as the US strikes Syria, Russia can use any reason to launch assault on Georgia.

Currently the Russian media suggests that the Richard Lugar laboratory that was built in Georgia is a secret project used for producing chemical weapons. To stop such absurd speculation, Georgian officials have invited the representatives of the diplomatic corps to Tbilisi to visit the lab.

US Ambassador to Georgia, Richard Norland said at the Lugar Center on Monday, this is “one of the premier projects that the United States has done in Georgia in last 20 years.”

Norland said the questions over the laboratory are legitimate. “But the fact is, the best way to deal with those kinds of questions is to maximize transparency, openness, collaboration and participation. This facility is open to any scientist who want to come and work here on the agreed upon terms from anywhere in the region, neighboring states, Russia and further afield in Europe and elsewhere,” the US Ambassador explained.