President Bush to Russia: Back off Georgia

President Bush delivered a brief, stern warning to Russia this afternoon, and told Moscow that its attacks in Georgia had "substantially damaged" its standing in the world and its relations with the West.

Speaking at a lectern on the stone steps leading to the Rose Garden from the colonnade outside the Cabinet Room, Bush said he was "deeply concerned" about attacks on the city of Gori and threats to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

Noting evidence that Russia may be preparing to bomb the capital's civilian airport, he said such a move would be a "dramatic and brutal" expansion of the conflict, which began over the disputed territory of South Ossetia.

Any effort to undermine Georgia's democratically elected government, he said, mistakenly saying "Russia" instead of "Georgia," was "unacceptable in the 21st century."

But, the tough language notwithstanding, he did not say what steps the United States would take in response.

The president spoke soon after returning on a nonstop Air Force One flight from China and the opening days of the Summer Olympic Games. He met immediately upon his return with members of his national security team.

The president set out, one administration official said, to be "very clear on what we think" of the Russian response in Georgia, and to make clear to Moscow that Russia was risking isolation in the world community.

The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss internal deliberations and diplomacy, said that within the administration, the feeling was that Russia might have anticipated a milder response.

But, he said, by sending troops into central Georgian territory over which there was no dispute, the Kremlin had conducted "a significant escalation."

The result: "There will be consequences," the aide said, not just in the U.S.-Russian relationship but for Russia's relations with others in the international community.

Asking rhetorically whether Russia was seeking "another Cold War," Bush answered his question this way: "The last one didn't turn out too good for them."

Does Russia think its oil and natural gas give it leverage over the West? Perhaps, administration officials say. But, they add, in that case Moscow is ignoring the threat that reduced energy shipments to the West would mean for its own economy.

Which brings up this question: How would Russia replace the value it gets from selling its energy beyond its borders? Is the world crying out for Russian cars, or Russian fashion?

As for the immediate effect on Bush: He was planning to begin on Thursday a two-week visit to his home in Crawford, Texas.

As of this afternoon, officials said, he still is.

For the White House transcript of the president's remarks, click on "Read Full Story..."

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo: Lawrence Jackson / Associated Press

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                             August 11, 2008

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

ON THE SITUATION IN GEORGIA

Rose Garden

5:21 P.M. EDT

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 Russia'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

*Georgia's duly elected government

Comments

[Ian]

You tell them Bush! How dare they invade a Soverign nation that attacked their country first.... Oh wait didn't we just attack Iraq.

[kirksfam]

Bush's comments sound exactly like condemnations the free world hurled against us when he invaded Iraq. What a ludicrous "speech" from such a hypocritical ass.

[gEM]

so russia retaliates against a coutry that killed 1400 of its citizens for no reason and its not ok but usa can attack iraq and kill 100k plus civilians and its "liberation"

[Benjamin Bycel]

I think the bloggers hit the issue right on the head re: has Russia really thought through what it is they will sell to anyone if it not energy. I myself am not interested in a Russian made car and I buy my suits at Brooks Brothers, which the Karmazov Brothers(even deeply discounted) will never be able to compete with.

Our government sticks it's nose into everyones business and we say to Russia to stop war. Go figure.

[Bob]

When will Bush wake up and join the world community? He caused this problem with his support for Georgia.

[typical]

typical liberal comments from the obviously uneducated.

[Dbiji]

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks.

[Ron]

While I agree that our invasion of Iraq makes this somewhat hypocritical. These aer NOT the same situation. Georgia did not attack Russia first. Georgia moved to fight separatist troops in its own borders. Sure, those troops were being backed by the Russians, but that is not Georgia's fault. Georgia went after forces on it's own soil. Bush went after Iraq because it was perceived as a threat, even if he was wrong. How are these the same?

[Dbiji]

Go to hell, Bush, with the rest of your hypocritical terrorist regime in Washington.

[Morgan]

Oh yes how deliciously ironic, you've got Bush on this one for sure. How dare he defend a NATO ally and democratic government that doesn't gas its citizens, flout UN resolutions for decades, or store tons of yellowcake uranium that no one seems to believe Iraq had yet were just transported out. Yes, indeed you have seen through the hypochimp's ruse this time, and with you incisive, accurate comments have rhetorically disemboweled him. History will side with you, I am certain, my friends.

[William , Kentucky]

Way to go Mr. President. I am an American and support democratic systems worldwide. Anyone who backs down from regimist conquorers are whimps. Remember 9 - 11. Those who post comments negative to our invading any regime deliberately torturing its people should move to that country! Remember the US was attacked first!! And innocent people, Men, Women and Children were killed. In my opinion they got off easy!

[Dibiji]

"Way to go Mr. President. I am an American and support democratic systems worldwide. Anyone who backs down from regimist conquorers are whimps. Remember 9 - 11. Those who post comments negative to our invading any regime deliberately torturing its people should move to that country! Remember the US was attacked first!! And innocent people, Men, Women and Children were killed. In my opinion they got off easy!"

"Remember the US was attacked first!!"

So some terrorists fly planes into buildings and that gives us license to invade countries anywhere in the world and kill millions of people through war and embargoes because terrorists might be hiding there?

"Those who post comments negative to our invading any regime deliberately torturing its people should move to that country!"

The US engages in torture now, you know...

[Frege]

How many useful idiots we have. Fox news is completely unbelievable to them, but ITAR-Tass and Pravda are gospel.

[Dibiji]

Wouldn't Russia be justified in invading Georgia and in fact any country in the entire world in its hunt for the guerillas which attacked it, all under the guise of a "war on terror"? Isn't that what America did?

[Mark]

So boringly predictable. The first 3 comments weigh in for the "moral equivalence" crowd and #6 blames Bush. Oh yeah, #10 goes for the "terrorist regime in Washington" bit.

[Dbiji]

"Oh yes how deliciously ironic, you've got Bush on this one for sure. How dare he defend a NATO ally and democratic government that doesn't gas its citizens, flout UN resolutions for decades, or store tons of yellowcake uranium that no one seems to believe Iraq had yet were just transported out. Yes, indeed you have seen through the hypochimp's ruse this time, and with you incisive, accurate comments have rhetorically disemboweled him. History will side with you, I am certain, my friends."

So shouldn't we invade Israel because it has flouted UN resolutions for more than half a century? When does Aerica ever care what the UN says, anyway, other than when we want to justify a pointless war?

[RWC]

Where are the 'no blood for oil' folks? Interesting.

[JIM]

Mr. Putin did President Bush and the military defence ministry a great favor. By Russia's action all the X soviet countries will be buying advanced military hardware from the U.S. out of fear of the growing power of a mad out of control BEAR. Now Bush can arm them to the teeth. Let's keep Russia spending its energy money on inferior weapons systems.

Love the liberal mind. Not much reason, but what feelings......

[Dbiji]

"And innocent people, Men, Women and Children were killed. In my opinion they got off easy!"

How many tens of millions of innocents has America killed over the last century?
What happened on 9/11 is totally insignificant when compared to what America has done. And would you say that the millions of Iraqis who have been killed due to US embargoes on Iraq and the 100,000 Iraqi civilians who have been killed during the War in Iraq are justified by the death of 3000 Americans in a terrorist that was simply retaliation for all of the terror that America and its lackey Israel have wrought in the Middle East against innocent Muslims?

[Mitch]

This is outrageous! Let's form a massive demonstration and march on the Russian embassy to demand an immediate cessation of hostilities! This naked aggression must not stand, not even behind a PETA sign! Deploy the Giant Puppet Heads! Put Code Pink on code red status! Who's with me?

{crickets}

[Liberal Smasher]

The true colors of leftists are being shown.

Russia is blatantly invading a sovereign, democratic nation with the intent of annexing its energy resources. So-called 'peace' activists are silent.

When the US merely enforces UN resolutions to remove a genocidal dictator with a history of WMD use, anti-US leftists pretend to care.

BTW, the US brought Democracy to Iraq, while Russia is seeking to suppress Democracy in Georgia.

The left-wing commies have been exposed again.

[GK]

No country in the world has brought more freedom and prosperity to the world than America. No country has sacrificed so much for the freedom of others. Educated people know this.

"So shouldn't we invade Israel because it has flouted UN resolutions for more than half a century? When does Aerica ever care what the UN says, anyway, other than when we want to justify a pointless war?"

Of course, another uneducated tool. The Israelis were condemned by Chapter VI resolutions by the United Nations which are non-binding resolutions and are simply requests. All of the resolutions that were pressed forward against Iraq were Chapter VII resolutions. There's a big difference between the two. Go look up the UN Security Council if you don't believe me.

CHAPTER VI
PACIFIC SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

CHAPTER VII
ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THREATS TO THE PEACE, BREACHES OF THE PEACE, AND ACTS OF AGGRESSION

Even wikipedia would show you the same thing.
Security Council Resolutions are legally binding if they are made under Chapter VII (Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression) of the Charter. Resolutions made under Chapter VI (Pacific Settlement of Disputes), however, have no enforcement mechanisms and are generally considered to have no binding force under international law.

[W.M. Dix]

I'm afraid that the Russians have made one mistake what is likely to happen is a lot of Russia.s neighbors are going to try to make themselves as an unpalatable morsel for the Russian bear as possible. In other words expect a arms race from eastern Europe to the Black Sea.

I'm afraid that with the rise of Putin and his imperialistic statist goons the bad old Russian bear is back and it's hungry.

And the morality of pacifist activist has proven to be evidently selective at what country they are outraged at. In some cases finding ways of blaming the U.S. for this using some really admirable leaps of illogical new speak.