#13 - JRL 8008
From: Ken Chance <00P3@cne.naples.navy.mil>
Subject: RE: 8007-Georgia
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2004

David -- With regard to Georgia's 'revolution of roses'. . .would hardly say that Saakashvili & Co are out of the woods yet -- no matter what shade of rose-colored lense one looks through. .

Gorky once wrote the following (taken from a internet site on Russian history. . ) on revolutions . . .

"A revolution is only a revolution when it arises as a natural and powerful expression of the people's creative force. If, however, the revolution is simply a release of the instincts of the people accumulated through slavery and oppression, then it is not a revolution but just a riot of malice and hatred: It is incapable of changing our lives but can only lead to bitterness and evil. Can we really say that one year after the Russian revolution the people have become better, kinder, more intelligent, and more honest? No, no one could say that. We are still living as we lived under monarchy? with the same customs, the same prejudices, the same stupidity and the same filth. The greed and the malice which were inculcated in us by the old regime are still within in us. People are still robbing and cheating one another, as they have always robbed and cheated one another. The new bureaucrats take bribes just like the old ones did, and they treat people with even more rudeness and contempt."

Funny how things don't change. .

Have a great weekend.

KAC
LTC Ken Chance
Special Asst for Russian/Eurasian Affairs
Office of the International Affairs Advisor
Allied Forces South (NATO)
Naples, Italy
+39 081 721 5065/2378