Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in an interview with CNN has accused “the United States of orchestrating the conflict in Georgia to benefit one of its presidential election candidates.” He doesn’t say which one, nor does he support his accusation with evidence, but he insists that US citizens were on the ground and taking part in the events.

Apparently Putin was briefed by Russian defense officials that have concluded (with evidence that is unknown to anyone else) that “it [the Georgian Conflict] was done to benefit a presidential candidate.” Interestingly enough though, Putin does not say that these US citizens are government members, employees, or military individuals. He simply insists that US citizens were there and on the ground. Which could mean just about anything. The Prime Minister continued:

U.S. citizens were indeed in the area in conflict. They were acting in implementing those orders doing as they were ordered, and the only one who can give such orders is their leader.

Last I checked there weren’t very many average, non-military US citizens following any orders from Pres. George Bush. There aren’t even many who will openly say his name in a positive note.

Unlike Putin’s Russia, US citizens are free to ignore orders from elected government leaders.

Russia should have stopped speaking after their recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and simply let it all play out from there. But with Putin still in charge I should not have expected much.

CNN Story here.