Russia bombs Georgian, European and US strategic interests
Late last night the Russian air force dropped 30 bombs on the outskirts of Tbilisi near the BTC pipeline and the parallel Shahbeniz pipeline that transports oil and gas to Europe and the US. Of the 30 bombs that fell, 28 bombs exploded, several of which came within five meters of the pipelines.
These attacks go far beyond bombings of any solely Georgian strategic interests. The BTC pipeline transports about 800 barrels a day to Turkey, Europe and the United States and the Shahbeniz pipeline transports 6 million cubic meters of gas a day to Europe.
Russia's attacks have directly threatened the strategic interests of Europe and the United States at a time when the world is struggling with high energy prices. Furthermore, Russia is attempting to expand its strangle-hold on European energy markets by making several European countries almost completely dependent on Russian energy supplies.
Tbilisi, 9 August 2008
