President Bush, citing danger to peace, calls on Russia to help calm Caucasus

President Bush, speaking publicly about the turmoil in Georgia for the first time, said Saturday evening in Beijing that the fighting there marked "a dangerous escalation in the crisis" and was "endangering regional peace."

Saying that the situation could have a peaceful resolution, he called on Russia to support U.S. and European efforts to launch international mediation. He said that U.S. officials had been in touch with Georgian and Russian leaders at all government levels.

Bush said:

Georgia is a sovereign nation and its territorial integrity must be respected. We have urged an immediate halt to the violence and a stand-down by all troops. We call for an end to the Russian bombings, and a return by the parties to the status quo of August the 6th.

"I'm deeply concerned," the president said. "The United States takes this matter very seriously."

Reporters, photographers and television crews were summoned to a meeting room at a Beijing hotel for the president's hastily announced remarks, drawn up to send a clear message of U.S. concern more than a day after the violence erupted.

As the violence escalated Friday, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said Bush was being given regular updates on the conditions in South Ossetia, where separatists have been aided by Russian forces in their effort to break away from Georgia.

The former Soviet republic in the Caucasus, which has gained U.S. support as an emerging democracy, has recently had the third-largest contingent of foreign troops in Iraq after the United States and Britain. But it has sought to bring the approximately 2,000 soldiers home to deal with the crisis in South Ossetia.

"The United States is working with our European partners to launch international mediation, and with the parties to restart their dialogue," said Bush, who is in Beijing to attend the opening days of the Summer Olympic Games. "Russia needs to support these efforts so that peace can be restored as quickly as possible."

For the entire statement by the president, click on "Read Full Story" ...

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press

President Bush Concerned by Escalation of Violence in Georgia
Westin Beijing Chaoyang
Beijing, People's Republic of China

7:20 P.M. (Local)

THE PRESIDENT: I'm deeply concerned about the situation in Georgia. The United States takes this matter very seriously.

The attacks are occurring in regions of Georgia far from the zone of conflict in South Ossetia. They mark a dangerous escalation in the crisis. The violence is endangering regional peace. Civilian lives have been lost, and others are endangered.

This situation can be resolved peacefully. We've been in contact with leaders in both Georgia and Russia at all levels of government. Georgia is a sovereign nation and its territorial integrity must be respected. We have urged an immediate halt to the violence and a stand-down by all troops. We call for an end to the Russian bombings, and a return by the parties to the status quo of August the 6th.

The United States is working with our European partners to launch international mediation, and with the parties to restart their dialogue. Russia needs to support these efforts so that peace can be restored as quickly as possible.

Laura and I were also saddened by the attack on an American family and their Chinese tour guide today in Beijing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. And the United States government has offered to provide any assistance the family needs.

Thank you very much.

END 7:22 P.M. (Local)

Comments

[larry]

Strangely, there's a hidden story that sounds like
rUSssiA = USA
geoRGIA = IRAG

[steve]

Under Bush's lead, the US gets involved in foreign affairs more then any other country. This needs to stop.

[Nelda]

"Russia's government must respect Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty," Bush said in a short statement from the White House. "Russia's actions this week have raised serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region. (Russia's) actions have substantially damaged its reputation in the world."

If only Bush and McCain would face the fact that the U.S. government must respect Iraq's territorial integrity and sovereignty, the U.S.'s actions have raised serious questions about its intentions in Iraq and the region, and the U.S.'s actions have substantially damaged its reputation in the world.