George Bush squares up to Vladimir Putin over Georgia

Times Online ^ | August 13, 2008 | Tom Baldwin

[Schnucki]

President Bush dispatched US military hardware to the heart of the Caucasus today and warned Russia that it could be frozen out of international bodies as punishment for its aggression in Georgia.

In his toughest criticism of Russia since becoming President, Mr Bush accused Moscow of breaching the provisional ceasefire agreed with Georgia just 24 hours earlier.

He cited intelligence showing that Russian troops had again taken the town of Gori and could now divide the country and threaten the capital Tbilisi. He insisted that Moscow respect the former Soviet republic’s territorial integrity.

There were also reports of Russian-backed militia in South Ossetia looting ethnic Georgian villages and killing their inhabitants.

“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,” Mr Bush said.

It is understood that talks are already taking place with US allies, including Britain, about whether to suspend Russia’s prized membership of the G8 club of industrialised nations. There is also a growing clamour to block Russia from becoming part of the World Trade Organisation and to rescind an invitation for it to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Mr Bush’s statement, delivered in stern tones outside the White House, was a significantly stronger than that made last week, when his initially cautious comments reflected the State Department’s unhappiness with Georgia’s use of force against pro-Russian separatist rebels in South Ossetia.

[dusttoyou]

Yep! That's one of those “how bout I introduce you to Tony Llama” looks.

[MarMema]

Not for long.

[singfreedom]

It would be helpful if the person rendering said “spine tingling” rhetoric did, indeed, have a spine of his own. He seems perfectly comfortable assuming the “jellyfish” position—leg tingling rhetoric or not.

[singfreedom]

I think you are absolutely. I noticed that little scenario as well. Our Prez did not look happy-—at all! Putin looked almost as if he wanted to backpedal and put some distance between them.

[justa-hairyape]

What was in Tbilisi?

Do you think the US would have just sat back while those 5 Presidents flew into an active war zone with no protection ? I do not think we would.

[singfreedom]

Sorry, Ern, I can't watch those videos. I guess I must have been at a particularly impressionable age, but the new pics and vids bring back horrible memories of the USSR’s absolute annihilation of Hungary.

[MarMema]

"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. We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit.

We expect Russia to meet its commitment to cease all military activities in Georgia, and we expect all Russian forces that entered Georgia in recent days to withdraw from that country."

President Bush, today.

[singfreedom]

I guess Russia has finally started paying their soldiers.

Thanks for the PING!, Ernest.

[MarMema]

Course that is C-17s with Humanitarian Aid.

That's right. Just a bunch of tents and things. Nothing more.

[Dandydoodley]

Obama says to hell with Georgia (ò¿ó)

chicken and waffles for everyone!

[Teflonic]

I guess Russia has finally started paying their soldiers.

Yeah, they get paid all they can carry out of sacked Georgian cities.

[Tommyjo]

Again more media gibberish. The military is on a humanitarian mission. Not a single piece of U.S. military hardware is flowing into Georgia.

[iThinkBig]

This is what double agents do Mr. President. Lull you in and then betray you when weakest. President Bush Sr. will have much useful advice I am sure on intelligence operatives on the ground to counter and reveal moles in our government, that have been operating there for years. They must go first.

[bray]

Putin is about to get a Tony Lama up tween the ears. Never trust a KGB officer.

Pray for W and Our Troops

[Delmarksman]

And you betcha the Russians were never going to bomb Tbilisi.

Can you please PM me re:why?
This sitrep has me very concerned.

Thank you,
Del

[Islander7]

‘...Dont you mean Leg Tingling?...’

That ‘tingle’ was eventually identified as a bladder control problem.

[huldah1776]

Okay, caption that photo! First time I ever saw a picture of the President and I was afraid. I bet the twins know that look. And Putin doesn’t have his chin stuck out in defiance, does he? Who is the other guy in between?

[huldah1776]

Specialist prayers for the guys we love who always go in first.

[SunStar]

Who is the other guy in between?

I believe he is Putin's translator. Russian to broken English (kidding)...

[rabidralph]

Yes, I saw that too. Bush was taking Putin to the woodshed. Of course, the dopey announcers were joking that they were discussing the costumes of the athletes or something stupid. I can’t believe the announcers didn’t know that Georgia was under attack. They weren’t shy about discussing every political challenge each nation was facing as its athletes marched in.