President Bush and Condoleeza Rice Demand Russia Quit Georgia

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Posted: 3:47 PM Aug 13, 2008 President Bush and Condoleeza Rice Demand Russia Quit Georgia The Bush administration demanded Wednesday that Russia end all military activities in neighboring Georgia and dispatched U.S. aid to devastated Georgians.	RETRANSMISSION FOR ALTERNATE CROP Bodyguards escort Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, third from left, wearing a protective vest, to shelter under the threat of Russian air attack in Gori, Georgia, Monday, Aug. 11, 2008. (AP Photo /Sergei Grits)

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August 13, 2008

(AP) - The Bush administration demanded Wednesday that Russia end all military activities in neighboring Georgia and dispatched U.S. aid to devastated Georgians.

"This is not 1968 and the invasion of Czechoslovakia where
Russia can threaten a neighbor, occupy a capital, overthrow a
government and get away with it," Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice said. "Things have changed."

Despite her words, the United States seems to be struggling to find a way to convince Russia to honor a cease-fire and halt military moves toward the Georgian capital after six days of war over two breakaway provinces in the former Soviet republic.

"I have heard the Russian president say that his military operations are over. I am saying it is time for the Russian president to be true to his word," Rice said at a State Department news conference just hours before traveling to France to deal with the crisis.

Earlier, President Bush had announced he was sending Rice to Europe and then to Georgia, a strong U.S. ally.

"The United States stands with the democratically elected
government of Georgia and insists that the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Georgia be respected," Bush said during
brief but stern remarks delivered from the White House Rose Garden.
Moscow's apparent violation of a cease-fire in neighboring Georgia
puts its global aspirations at risk, he said.

"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," Bush added.

He also announced a massive U.S. humanitarian effort that would
involve American aircraft as well as naval forces. A U.S. C-17
military cargo plane loaded with supplies landed in Georgia on
Wednesday, and Bush said that Russia must ensure that "all lines
of communication and transport, including seaports, roads and
airports," remain open to let deliveries and civilians through.

Rice said Russia needs to respect the U.S. aid effort to help
the people of Georgia. The top U.S. diplomat also made a point of
noting that the presidential candidates have offered support for
the Bush administration.

Asked if conversations by Republican John McCain and Democrat
Barack Obama with Georgian and Russian leaders help or hinder
administration efforts, Rice said: "I've also been having
conversations with Senators Obama and McCain. And I know that they
are at this moment of difficult diplomacy that they are doing what
they can to support the efforts of the administration."

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