US demands Russians pull out

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7564176.stm

US demands Russian troop pull-out

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has demanded that Russian forces withdraw from Georgia immediately.

It comes after Georgia's president signed an EU-brokered ceasefire deal, after nearly five hours of talks.

In angry comments at a news briefing in Tbilisi, President Mikhail Saakashvili said his country would never accept the loss of any of its territory.

The crisis began when Georgia attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia a week ago sparking Russian intervention.

President Saakashvili said he had signed the six-point ceasefire agreement - brokered by France - but that it was not a permanent solution.

It includes a pledge to pull all troops back to their pre-conflict positions, and a plan to begin international talks about the future status of South Ossetia and a second breakaway region, Abkhazia.

Mr Saakashvili denounced the Russian invasion, referring to its forces as "cold-blooded killers" and "barbarians" - he said that Georgia was now "looking evil directly in the eye".

He also accused the West - especially European countries - of inviting Moscow's military action by failing to offer his country Nato membership earlier this year.

Ms Rice said that Georgia's acceptance of the plan meant all Russian combat forces should now withdraw, and she called on Russia to co-operate in getting international observers in place.

But as the pair spoke, there were reports of Russian anti-personnel carriers moving closer towards the Georgian capital, setting up a new checkpoint about 35km (22 miles) outside Tbilisi.

Earlier, the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, demanded that Georgia sign the deal immediately - but said only Russia could guarantee peace in the region.

'Guarantor' of security

In a statement at the White House, President George W Bush accused Russia of "bullying and intimidation", saying it was an unacceptable "way to conduct foreign policy in the 21st Century".

Mr Bush demanded that Moscow respect Georgia's territorial integrity and withdraw its troops - or risk international isolation.

"Only Russia can decide whether it will now put itself back on the path of responsible nations or continue to pursue a policy that promises only confrontation and isolation."

Meanwhile, after talks with President Medvedev in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the Russian response as "disproportionate".

But Mr Medvedev said Russia was the "guarantor" of the interests and lives of those in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

He said they trusted Russian troops, and that this had to be taken into account.

'Peacekeeping mandate'

Mr Medvedev said he did not want to damage relations with other countries but that Russia had to fulfil its peacekeeping mandate, and that it would respond in the same way to any future attack.

He added that a new deal to base part of a US missile defence system on Polish soil was aimed at the Russian federation.

Washington - which says the timing is not linked to the Georgian crisis - insists that the shield is to protect against "rogue states" such as Iran.

But, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington, the US is now likely to be less worried about Russian objections and more anxious to send signals to European allies like Poland that it is prepared to guarantee their protection.

Moscow's troops continue to operate deep inside the Caucasus republic.

The BBC's Richard Galpin, in the Georgian port of Poti, says Russian forces have taken control of the naval dockyard - with the apparent intent to destroy or remove Georgian military and naval equipment.

Russian forces still control Gori, which lies some 15km (10 miles) from South Ossetia and on a key route to Tbilisi, and there is also a major contingent in the town of Senaki, our correspondent says.

At a news conference, the Russian army earlier said it had seized a large depot of American-made arms near Senaki, which lies on the main east-west highway.

The crisis began when Georgia attacked South Ossetia on 7 August. Scores of people have died in the fighting and tens of thousands have been displaced.

[GiGii 4]

Since when does Russia listen to the US?

[412 0]

Why should it? It's usually a mutual thing, like in a marriage

[GiGii 4]

I didnt say it should. And its hardly like a marriage. Its more like an ongoing divorce, each thinking they have power, each bitter.

[IAMX 3,055]

As much as I want to say Russia's taking their offensive a bit too far, being an American, I can't really say ####. Bush doesn't mind being a hypocrite, but I do.

[rclouse 0]

US demands Russians pull out

,

Russians insist the condom won't break

[GiGii 4]

I bet if bush had to identify on a map where Russia is, he wouldnt be able to. Rice wouldnt either.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I bet if bush had to identify on a map where Russia is, he wouldnt be able to. Rice wouldnt either.

You mean clueless, kinda like this????

[GiGii 4]

I bet if bush had to identify on a map where Russia is, he wouldnt be able to. Rice wouldnt either.

You mean clueless, kinda like this????

YES!!! I knew I saw that somewhere!

[Sinergy 3]

Ok and if Russia doesnt pull out, what then....???

[Ban Hammer 14,000]

Ok and if Russia doesnt pull out, what then....???

then georgia gets a royal screwing?

Edited August 15, 2008 by charles!