This morning, President Bush delivered a clear message to Russia -- Enough.
President Bush Discusses Situation in Georgia, Urges Russia to Cease Military Operations
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I've just met with my national security team to discuss the crisis in Georgia. I've spoken with President Saakashvili of Georgia, and President Sarkozy of France this morning. The United States strongly supports France's efforts, as President of the European Union, to broker an agreement that will end this conflict.
The United States of America stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia. We insist that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected.
Russia has stated that changing the government of Georgia is not its goal. The United States and the world expect Russia to honor that commitment. Russia has also stated that it has halted military operations and agreed to a provisional cease-fire. Unfortunately, we're receiving reports of Russian actions that are inconsistent with these statements. We're concerned about reports that Russian units have taken up positions on the east side of the city of Gori, which allows them to block the East-West Highway, divide the country, and threaten the capital of Tbilisi.
We're concerned about reports that Russian forces have entered and taken positions in the port city of Poti, that Russian armored vehicles are blocking access to that port, and that Russia is blowing up Georgian vessels. We're concerned about reports that Georgian citizens of all ethnic origins are not being protected. All forces, including Russian forces, have an obligation to protect innocent civilians from attack.
With these concerns in mind, I have directed a series of steps to demonstrate our solidarity with the Georgian people and bring about a peaceful resolution to this conflict. I'm sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to France, where she will confer with President Sarkozy. She will then travel to Tbilisi, where she will personally convey America's unwavering support for Georgia's democratic government. On this trip she will continue our efforts to rally the free world in the defense of a free Georgia.
I've also directed Secretary of Defense Bob Gates to begin a humanitarian mission to the people of Georgia, headed by the United States military. This mission will be vigorous and ongoing. A U.S. C-17 aircraft with humanitarian supplies is on its way. And in the days ahead we will use U.S. aircraft, as well as naval forces, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies.
...As I have made clear, Russia's ongoing action raise serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region. In recent years, Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic, and security structures of the 21st century. The United States has supported those efforts. Now Russia is putting its aspirations at risk by taking actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those institutions. To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe, and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis.
During Condoleezza Rice's briefing this afternoon, she said that "this is not 1968."
This is not Czechoslovakia.
She said that Russia is not the Soviet Union.
It's time for Russia to live up to its commitments and stop "digging this hole."
Rice said she believes that Russia understands that "pushing the envelope here" will have consequences for Russia in terms of its integration into the international system.
She said it's unacceptable for Russia to destroy Georgia.
Rice wouldn't speculate on Russian motives, but she said that Russia cannot send the world the message that it can use its military power against a neighboring nation.
She said it's time to move on from the Cold War and move on to a new era.
Russia has said that is the future that it wishes. If that's the case, it must live up to its commitments.
I think it's telling that Rice mentioned Czechoslovakia and 1968, drawing parallels to the Cold War.
The world order is different now, and the free world will not stand by if Russia begins to revive the methods of the Soviet Union from decades past.
2 comments:
The President of Georgia (Saakashvili) ran a presidential campaign promising to retake areas from the Russians that had been independent of Georgia since 1991.
This is how most news stories describe it:
"The conflict boiled over when Mr. Saakashvili decided to send in troops to the Russian-friendly breakaway enclave of South Ossetia. Russian troops entered Georgia immediately, and Russian leaders said they were acting to protect Russian citizens in South Ossetia. With each day thereafter, Russia increased its presence on Georgian territory.
I'm not sure why the Georgian President decided to move ahead with his military strategy. He must have known that Russia would respond - and was probably looking for an excuse to flex their oil funded military in the region.
I wonder how far the Russians will go? Do they consider the President of Georgia enough of a threat (both in his desire to retake South Ossetia and his closeness to the west) to determine that kicking him out of power and installing a Russian backed government is in their best interests?
I hope the govenment of Georgia is not taken over by the Russians.
It is interesting that Bush is sending Rice to the capitol of Georgia. I wonder if the airport will still be open or if the Russian troops will be in control of it by the time she gets there.
Georgia is a crucial piece of land for getting Caspian oil to the western countries. There are a lot of geopolitical interests involved with this conflict.
PIA, you seem to be an apologist for Russia, blaming Georgia, our ally, for the conflict.
Russia has responded disproportionately. Russia has lied to us and the world about its intentions and its actions.
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