US Warship docks in Black Sea Port (Batumi)

Reuters ^ | 24 Aug 2008 | Reuters

[Jeff Head]

BATUMI, Georgia (Reuters) - The first U.S. warship to bring aid to Georgia arrived in the country's main Black Sea port of Batumi on Sunday, in a strong gesture of support for the ex-Soviet republic in its conflict with Russia. The USS McFaul, a guided missile destroyer, is loaded with humanitarian aid including beds and food for the tens of thousands displaced by the confrontation that erupted on Aug 7-8 over Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region.

GEORGIA COMNFLICT 2008

[Jeff Head]

US avoids conforntation with Russian troops and begins offload of humanitarian help. Other US and NATO vessels to arrive soon.

[Jeff Head]

FYI...couple of hours ago.

[Gondring]

See also http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2067034/posts

[Jeff Head]

FYI.

[Earthdweller]

Bookmark

[Jeff Head]

The docking at Batumi allows the offload of the humanitarian aid and the establishment of a distribution point that will allow the material to flow around the Port city of Poti...thus avoiding confrontation with the Russian force there of four tanks, several APCs and a potential company sized force who are blocking access to Poti.

Georgian civilians from Poti have been protesting at that road block since it is far outside of the areas allowed for Russian troops near South Ossetia and according to the cease fir.

I personally believe we should have challeneged the Russian force at Poti. By the agreement that the Russian President signed and then committed to keep, that force should not be there. With five more vessels due to arrive in the next day or two, there wuld certainly be enough show of force to do so and avoid hostilities.

Having said that, the first priority should be to get the supplies offloaded and distribnuted to those in need. By coming in a Batumi, they will be able to accomplish that without risking that confrontation at this point.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks. I missed ythat post. The more we make people aware of what is happening over there, the better.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2067034/posts?page=8#8

[SLB]

You might want to add this to your ping lists.

[LRS]

Is that one of those Nimitz class destroyers? (I ain’t never seen one.)http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Joe_Biden_Homeland_Security.htm

[lizol]

Eastern European ping list

---

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Eastern European ping list

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Arleigh Burke class destroyer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_McFaul_(DDG-74)

[LRS]

Thanks :) but don’t tell Joe Biden. He believes in the Nimitz Class Destroyers :)...

[nuconvert]

“I personally believe we should have challeneged the Russian force at Poti.”

I do too

[Sal]

Make that three of us.

[Sal]

I’ve always thought air craft carrier class destroyers were the best. Good thing Joe will balance out Obama’s inexperience in military matters.

[Malesherbes]

The Georgian flag reminds us that this is one of the oldest Christian nations in the world, along with its neighbor Armenia. Though isolated in an area full of Moslems they are authentically part of the western tradition. If NATO has any remaining worth, it should embrace Georgia - and Ukraine too.

[Jabba the Nutt]

Sounds good, they agreed they aren't there, they shouldn't be there. Thus, they can't be destroyed, because they aren't there. They must've gotten lost on their way back to Abkhazia. Don't worry Liliputin, they'll call up to ask for directions, I'm sure.

It's like the seen in Hunt for Red October. The Soviet Ambassador is embarassed to admit, they've lost another submarine.

[nuconvert]

I guess since the Russians have blown up ships in Poti, they’re dangerous obstacles in the water which inhibit our safely entering that port.

[XR7]

US Warship docks in Black Sea Port