Bush Denounces Russia's 'Brutal Escalation' in Georgia

American Forces Press Service ^ | John J. Kruzel

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2008 – President Bush today expressed deep concern over reports that Russia has escalated a conflict with Georgia, calling the ramped-up moves by Moscow “unacceptable in the 21st century,” and urging the country to accept a peace agreement.

Fighting that began last week in the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia has today broadened “beyond the zone of conflict,” to include a Russian attack on the Georgian town of Gori, and threats to the capital city of Tbilisi, the president said.

“If these reports are accurate, these Russian actions would represent a dramatic and brutal escalation of the conflict in Georgia,” Bush said during a news conference today at the White House.

He added that such actions would be inconsistent with assurances by Russia to restore forces in South Ossetia to pre-fighting levels, one element of a peace agreement that Georgia, a former Soviet republic, also endorsed.

Other pieces of the treaty, which diplomatic officials are pursuing in Moscow, include an immediate cease-fire, the withdrawal of forces from the conflict zone and a commitment to refrain from using force.

“The Georgian government has accepted the elements of a peace agreement that the Russian government previously said it would be willing to accept,” Bush said.

But hopes for an agreement appear to be fading as the situation unfolds in Georgia, where the U.S. State Department today helped to evacuate at least 170 American citizens from Georgia as well as dependents of embassy staff in Tbilisi, according to reports.

Georgia declared its independence from the then-Soviet Union in 1991. However, many South Ossetia residents continue to profess Russian allegiance.

The situation was already tense when Russian tanks and troops on Aug. 8 crossed the border into South Ossetia, where they were aided by regional separatists. Clashes escalated a day later in and around Tskhinvali, South Ossetia’s capital, as Russian aircraft were reported to have bombed that city, as well as Abkhazia, another breakaway region in Georgia.

President Bush, who had just met with his national security team before today’s news conference, said evidence reveals Russian forces may soon begin bombing the civilian airport in Tblisi. He added that Moscow may be attempting to depose the democratic government in Georgia.

“Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people,” Bush said. “Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century.”

Bush said Russia’s actions have “substantially damaged” the country’s standing in the world, jeopardize Moscow’s relations with the U.S. and Europe, and raise serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region.

He urged Russia to reserve its course and accept the peace agreement as a first step toward resolving the conflict.

“It is time for Russia to be true to its word and to act to end this crisis,” Bush said.

Related Sites:
White House

Related Articles:
U.S. to Complete Redeployment of Georgian Forces from Iraq

[KC_Conspirator]

Am I the only person on the planet who thinks that Russia has legitimate gripes?

[Blue Scourge]

Gripes or not...this is simply Russia sending a message to all of it’s former Republics, stay away from the West.

Oh, and the only pipeline from the Caspian that scoots around Russia was blown up...that probably had something to do with this whole fiasco.

[unkus]

Al Capone had gripes, too.

[Technogeeb]

Am I the only person on the planet who thinks that Russia has legitimate gripes?

Probably not; a lot of other people are buying the propaganda too.

[SandRat]

Maybe....

[SumProVita]

Gripes about what?

[Cementjungle]

Probably not; a lot of other people are buying the propaganda too.

It sounds to me like there's blame to put on both sides, how much goes where is still unclear (to me at least). I haven't exactly been privy to all that's been going on there in recent years/months.

[screaminsunshine]

Well Whoop de dooo! That will really teach em a lesson. We have gone from a SUPERPOWER to a Politically correct bunch of wimpys!!!

[MHGinTN]

It’s a problem of ‘gas’ ... the Russians are net exporters of energy and we and Europe are big importers of energy. You can thank Nancy for keeping this issue as leverage, and both parties ignored the needs for energy independence while oil was so cheap, albeit the most powerful weapon our enemies have against us.

[TheWasteLand]

Putin agrees with you. Does that make you feel better?

[Mr Rogers]

So...you believe Russia has the right to reassemble the USSR? To conquer Georgia?

[screaminsunshine]

Would not surprise me if they were in cahoots. They are after all fellow travelers.

[libh8er]

Tomorrow Rush will give the final word on the whole affair. I have been waiting all weekend.

[Non-Sequitur]

So...you believe Russia has the right to reassemble the USSR? To conquer Georgia?

When Georgia sent troops into South Ossetia last week what did they think Russia was going to do?

[Lijahsbubbe]

LOL

[Technogeeb]

It sounds to me like there's blame to put on both sides

Perhaps. But if the Mexican government decided to allow the autonomous region of Southern California to fire mortars into Nevada, I wouldn't blame the people of Nevada if they moved in to put a stop to it.

This is a situation that has been slowly engineered by the Russians over a decade. Their active support (in training, arming, and funding) terrorists eliminates any argument Russia might have that they are the wronged party here.

I haven't exactly been privy to all that's been going on there in recent years/months.

That is probably the biggest problem with this conflict. The western media has almost completely ignored this problem which has been actively brewing since the late 1990s. When proof of Russian support for the various terrorist activities (car bombs, destruction of infrastructure, assassinations, etc.) are shown by the Georgians (they successfully captured some saboteurs a few years back), it gets ignored in the western media as not being "newsworthy".

[brydic1]

I join you. I still do not understand how the US refused to take give any support to the Russians when the Muzzie terrorists from Chechnya carried out horrendous attacks again and again against Russian civilians in Moscow. The Russians should have been given encouragement instead of reprimands for acting against these terrorist lodged in Chechnya. Then the horrific attack against in Beslan by Muzzies again, nothing but lip service in support of the Russians who lost their children in a most horrific manner. Georgia and even Britain gave refuge to the leading terrorists. Our government not only displayed a total lack of compassion but hypocrisy in this matter. If our attitude had been supportive of a Russian crackdown on their terrorists maybe, just maybe, a lot of attitudes in Russia might have changed. But it is most apparent that there is tremendous resentment in Russia because of our government’s callous actions in response to these terrorist acts in Russia.

[Leisler]

Poor Russians. Murderers of tens of millions. Partner with Hitler over Poland. Enslaver of half of Europe, and now know as a cold weather kleptocracy, a kind of Zaire of the North.

[boston_joe]

Not at all...

This article was very different from others regarding the chain of events.

For instance, the article intimated that Russia first entered South Ossetia without any provocation although early reports said they entered SO in response to the attack first launched by Georgia.

Second, it says Russia bombed the South Ossetia capital but, again, early reports said that this was done by Georgian planes.

A very strange article.

There are now reports that US soldiers have been killed and captured.