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

[FeldWill]

What an oxymoron "Russian Peace Keepers".

[vega]

"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."

oh yes, america, that beacon of freedom, with its long history of slavery, segaragation, genocide of indians...

[oldguy]

This Russian Federation attack on Georgia, a democratic elected EUROPEAN government, will not be allowed to stand. There is noway, in the 21st century, that the Western Nations, Nato and the United States can allow this to continue.

This naked aggression, by the Soviet Federation trying to bring back the "Iron Curtain" must be stopped here and now. The World cannot allow Putin, under any conditions, to become a mence to its neighbors.

The United States must lead..... and if neccessary defend Georgia from aggression.

[GK]

Vega,

You are ignorant. America abolished slavery before any other nation did. Also, America brings democracy even to countries that were hostile to it (Germany, Japan, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.).

The true measure of a country is the difference between how many want to get in, and how many want to get out.

Millions are trying to come to the US, even illegally. No US natives leave, however. That makes America the best country in the world.

You are jealous...

Hey - America is on top of the Olympic Medals Tally too!!!

America is the most successful and NOBLEST country around. Go get an education, you ignorant European coward.

[purple heart]

the day a democratic country can let another freely elected nation be invaded and occupied by a foreign aggressor is the same day democracy fails.