Posted on 08/12/2008 3:42:39 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
THE PRESIDENT: I just met with my national security team to discuss the situation in Georgia.
I am deeply concerned by reports that Russian troops have moved beyond the zone of conflict, attacked the Georgian town of Gori, and are threatening the Georgia's -- Georgia's capital of Tbilisi. There's evidence that Russian forces may soon begin bombing the civilian airport in the capital city.
If these reports are accurate, these Russian actions would represent a dramatic and brutal escalation of the conflict in Georgia. And these actions would be inconsistent with assurances we have received from Russia that its objectives were limited to restoring the status quo in South Ossetia that existed before fighting began on August the 6th.
It now appears that an effort may be underway to depose Georgia's duly elected government. Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century.
The Georgian government has accepted the elements of a peace agreement that the Russian government previously said it would be willing to accept: an immediate cease-fire, the withdrawal of forces from the zone of conflict, a return to the military status quo as of August 6th, and a commitment to refrain from using force. There are representatives of the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe currently in Moscow seeking Russia's agreement to this peace plan.
Russia's government must respect Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Russian government must reverse the course it appears to be on, and accept this peace agreement as a first step toward resolving this conflict.
Russia's actions this week have raised serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region. These actions have substantially damaged Russia's standing in the world. And these actions jeopardize Russians' relations -- Russia's relations with the United States and Europe. It is time for Russia to be true to its word and to act to end this crisis.
Thank you.
END 5:24 P.M. EDT
I wonder just how much the president knew about this BEFORE Russia attacked. I think it’s entirely possible he made an agreement with Putin beforehand to not oppose Russian “peacekeeping” in South Ossetia. It appears his only surprise came when the Russians pushed further than expected.
I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think of Bush and Putin watching the Olympics while all this is going down, not to mention Bush Sr and Kissinger being in China and only God knows whom else.
I’m hearing from some sources that the residents of South Ossetia want to be part of Russia. If so, there would have been no reason for the US to oppose “peacekeeping” there by the Russians.
So let’s say a majority of Californians want to join Mexico. Would that give Mexico the moral right to invade California and attack American citizens in California and the surrounding states?
Surrounding states, no. Depending on what measures the majority who wanted to join Mexico had already tried without success, one could reasonably argue that Mexico would have a moral right to invade.
1 AugustAt about 8:00 AM, Tbilisi time, a pickup vehicle with six Georgian police officers was hit by two remote control explosive devices on the Eredvi-Kheiti by-pass road linking the Didi Liakhvi Gorge – a Georgian enclave north of the breakaway region’s capital Tskhinvali - with Georgia proper. As a result of the attack, five Georgian policemen were severely wounded. The central authorities decided not to retaliate in order not to escalate the situation.
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