The New Nation - Internet Edition

Although Russia signs ceasefire agreement with Georgia to stop gunfire in the Caucasus, but peace there seems to be shaky at best. Russia's aggression is continued by their wish despite of west's call.

Russia intent to keep Georgia like its former vassal state on a leash. Georgian aspiration to join NATO, for this making diplomatic pressure to Russia, French president and German Chancellor already visited Georgia and express their strong support for their future counterpart. This could hardly be called a revival of the Cold War yet, but it is also true the global political weather is getting quite chilly recently. As if by coincidence, the brief war between the former Socialist boss and its small neighbor broke out on the opening day of the 29th Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, for which China silenced disgruntled voices from its ethnic minorities, including Tibetans and Uigurs.Presence of US army in Poland, separatist movement of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, US target to pull out more of the Caucasian countries, oil reach Russia counters what it sees as the West's scheme to surround it with hostile states. UN has shown its limited capacity in settling international disputes, especially those between global powers. More effective dispute-solving device, preferably within UN is needed to make any sense if the post-cold war world should feel more insecure than when ideological confrontation reached its climax.

Bilkis Rahman

Govt. H.S.S College, Magura

This refers to my article titled "A few predictions about future military wars". It was published today - this 19th day of August 2008 - in, among other dailies, The New Nation of Bangladesh. There was a typographical error in the published article. The words "…solving diseases …" in section D of the article should be read as "…treating diseases …" and not otherwise. Inconveniences caused to the readers and others due to the error are regretted.

Dr. M. S. Haq

Dhaka