Rice Urges Russia to Halt its Military Operations in Georgia
EmailABC News’ Yunji de Nies and Matt Jaffe report: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who returned early from her summer vacation, urged Russia to stop it’s military operations against Georgia.
Speaking to reporters from the White House driveway Tuesday, Rice said she has been talking with foreign ministers from the G7 nations, and said European Union mediators have made some progress.
"The Georgians have agreed to a ceasefire, the Russians need to stop their military operations as they apparently said that they will but those military operations really do now need to stop because calm needs to be restored," Rice said.
Rice echoed President Bush’s statement yesterday, saying that the United States stands with the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
"I want to make very clear that the United States stands for the territorial integrity of Georgia, for the sovereignty of Georgia, that we support its democratically elected government and its people," she said, "We are reviewing our options for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Georgia. But the most important thing right now is that these military operations need to stop."
Rice met Tuesday with Bush and National Security Advisor Stephan Hadley at the White House.
The administration has not said if the U.S. would be willing to provide military support for Georgia. Asked about any consideration of U.S. military engagement, White House Deputy Spokesman Tony Fratto said, "I’m not aware of any of those kinds of specific requests," adding that "I’m not going to get into the range of things that may or may not be considered."
However, he noted that the US is already providing humanitarian assistance and reviewing their options for doing more to help. First, though, Fratto said Russia must end the violence in Georgia.
"The first part of this is to make sure the shooting stops and that forces return to their previous positions so we can get in there and help this population and a get a dialogue started," he said.
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i guess ms. rice did not like th outcome of this american approved venture. what hypocrites i did not see the u.s protest when georgian troops invaded s. ossetia and slaughtered 2000 innocent civilians. it was only after russia responded that we become moralistic about this. remember it was only 1 month ago that rice held talks with saakashvilli certainly giving the green light for this fool hearted adventure.
Posted by: sonia trevino | August 12, 2008, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
Actually, the Bush Administration and McCain differ significantly in how they have worded their responses to this crisis.
Its almost like, after seven years, Bush is finally learning the job.
I was almost impressed with his talking point yesterday that Russia’s actions have been “disproportionate.”
Notice how that word doesn’t say anything about Russian forces countering Georgian forces in South Ossetia. But it is critical of Russian strikes elsewhere inside of Georgia.
McCain seems bent on reigniting the Cold War. Its almost like he thinks a little tough talk will suddenly cause Russia to back down, when its own credibility is now on the line.
Obama’s responses have been right on the money, I thought. I’m sure the McCain supporters will disagree, but I found his responses very measured, and not stepping over the fact that, for better or worse, Bush is the president right now and speaks for the nation during such dynamic situations.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
And as for the U.S. sending Georgia military assistance, for some reason I doubt it.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
re: bush’s comments about russia’s “disproportionate” response. yes bush should know a little bit about this by now, for example iraq, and afghanistan to name but a few of our own disproprtionate responses. we lost our moral authority a long, long, time ago on the plains of north america when we slaughtered the native americans. what a nerve!
Posted by: sonia trevino | August 12, 2008, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
Georgia killed 2000 of 30000 residents of Tshinvali in 8 hours!!!!
I didn’t question US decision to bomb Afghanistan to the ground when ben laden killed 3000 in WTC. Why US sides with Georgia? Mr. Saakashivli may be US educated but he was and is bloody barbarian.
Posted by: SKV | August 12, 2008, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
SKV – well, Russia has reportedly pressed a little further than can be justified by just wanting to protect South Ossetians.
We may have to chalk this one up to both sides being at fault.
And now the diplomatic goal for our country should be to find a way to put the genie back in the bottle – in a way that doesn’t further sour our relations with Russia or Georgia (which seems to be growing a little angry that U.S. forces aren’t there to help them).
Or we can follow McCain’s lead and blame the whole thing on Russia, who by the way we need to help finance our growing debt.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
and why did the media focus almost exclusively on russian response while avoiding the reality of the slaughter in s. ossetia by georgian troops? it is omissions, and half truths, like this, that got us into iraq. haven’t we learned anything? we are as guilty as gwb for not insisting on the truth.
Posted by: sonia trevino | August 12, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
in 1999 the u.s poured allot of military aid into georgia and installed saakashvili. this was a u.s engineered provocation it has u.s fingerprints all over it. this region is the bridgehead between the caspian basis and western europe-this is a critical oil and gas pipeline region. russian has become the elephant in the room standing in the way of u.s hegemony over eurasia.
also be aware that a climate charged with fear, and domestic insecurity is a very favorable climate for the political campaign of john mccain. not that i support either candidate but it stands to reason that this does potentially favor mccain.
and by the way you don’t need to read/watch the news to connect the dots on this one…just think location, location, location.
Posted by: sonia trevino | August 12, 2008, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
Oh my gosh. McCain is really trying to play this one up for all its worth, to the point of maybe creating a dangerous situation for the U.S.
Here’s what he just said about a phone call he had with the Georgian president:
“And I told him that I know I speak for every American when I say to him, ‘Today we are all Georgians.’”
I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but Bush needs to slap down this clown and tell him to stop messing with things he doesn’t understand.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
How in the hell did the Republicans find a nominee that can make Bush look good on foreign policy?
But this is quickly transitioning to something more serious than a running campaign joke (or joke of a campaign, as the case may be). Watch for Bush to publicly disavow McCain’s comments as reckless.
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
“what hypocrites i did not see the u.s protest when georgian troops invaded s. ossetia and slaughtered 2000 innocent civilians” Amen! FREE SOUTH OSSETIA FROM Georgia!
Posted by: Jeff | August 12, 2008, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
“SKV – well, Russia has reportedly pressed a little further than can be justified by just wanting to protect South Ossetians.” Russia has to press further to teach Georgia a lesson; otherwise, Georgia will never learn to respect South Ossetia. Current U.S. policy is to respond firmly against Iran if Iran dares to attack Israel. How is Russia protecting South Ossetia any different? South Ossetia has separated from Georgia since the 1990′s.
Posted by: Jeff | August 12, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
Okay, Jeff, but its a de facto independence. No one recognized South Ossetia as an independent state.
I’m not saying Georgia was right to move troops in – what I’m saying is I assume both sides are at fault here.
Actually all sides, because I think U.S. pressure on Russia is playing a role. We never should have pushed NATO and EU membership so far east so fast – we were bound to run into Russian embarrassment and paranoia.
But before having all the facts, I’d be very cautious about picking a “good guy” here. My criticism of McCain is doing just that. Now you’re doing the same thing, though having picked a different “good guy.”
Posted by: Paul | August 12, 2008, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
paul is correct their is no good guy here nor are we attempting to portray one. the real question needs to focus on why (did bush, cheney, rice etc… turn a blind eye) to the atrocities in s. ossetia, the analysis needs to be on where, who stands to gain, and an understanding of the geo political implications for all involved. without an in depth analysis we may get dragged by the nose into another politically motivated agenda that will saddle the next administration as well with failed international policies driven by hegemonic, imperialistic, motivations.
Posted by: sonia trevino | August 12, 2008, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
I’m not sure what is the thinking on this. Small Georgia attacks troops of Big Russia — what did they expect?
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | August 12, 2008, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm
When there are 2,000 South Ossetians killed, and 40,000 fleeing to Russia after an attack by Georgia. What the hell do you expect? Oh lets’ have Georgia in NATO so we can be obligated to support this criminal regime.
Pro Western my foot!
All Americans are with them says McCain, just shows the kind of friends he likes.
Posted by: Thinking | August 12, 2008, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
Mr. Coffee. They were thinking that the Big Bad Morally Righteous Americans would swoop down and save them. So they took the chance and prevoked Russia. Russia fights back , and we take that chance to turn them into the enemy.
It just goes to show you, that we arent the only people paying for Bush’s many lies.
Posted by: OH.GOD | August 12, 2008, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm
Has there ever been a more ineffectively Secretary of State than Condelezza Rice? Smart lady but cannot escape the shadows of GW….Just a Bush lackey…
Posted by: indy_voter | August 13, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm