US military heading to Georgia
George Bush speaks out against Russian actions in Georgia
Also In The News
|
Russia has defended its military action in South Ossetia, likening Georgia to a bloodthirsty animal. |  |
Wednesday, 13, Aug 2008 11:19
US president George Bush is ordering his country's military forces to Georgia to begin a "humanitarian mission to the people of Georgia".
American aircraft and naval forces will be deployed in the coming days to deliver medical supplies and humanitarian assistance following the entry of Russian forces into Georgian territory.
A C-17 aircraft, spearheading the effort and carrying humanitarian supplies, is currently on its way, Mr Bush confirmed.
The announcement came as Georgian officials claimed Russian tanks had entered the city of Gori, violating a truce agreement brokered by French president Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday.
Mr Bush said Moscow was "putting its aspirations at risk" by continuing its incursions into Georgian territory, which he said went beyond its peacekeeping remit in South Ossetia.
"To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the US, Europe, and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis," he said.
The US president said he supported the EU efforts to broker a peace deal and expressed his "solidarity with the Georgian people".
And he confirmed that he would be sending US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice first to France to talk with Mr Sarkozy, before heading to Tbilisi. Ms Rice, he said, would aim to "rally the free world in support of a free Georgia".
Earlier today, it was announced that Mr Sarkozy had helped Russia and Georgia agree to outline a plan to end the current crisis in South Ossetia.
Russia even announced that its military activity in South Ossetia was finished and claimed troops had begun withdrawing.
This afternoon, however, Georgia's security council chief Alexander Lomaia said that 50 Russian tanks had moved into Gori, a city located 15 miles from the border with South Ossetia.
Reports cite eyewitnesses leaving the city as saying widespread looting is currently underway and residents are being held up at gunpoint.
Georgian interior ministry spokesman Zurab Gvenetadze said that Russian forces had also seized a military base on the outskirts of Gori.
In response, the Russian military claims to have shot down two Georgian spy drone above South Ossetia.
Fierce clashes broke out in South Ossetia last week after Georgia launched a surprise assault into the breakaway region.
In response, Moscow sent in hundreds of tanks and carried out a series of bombing raids on the region.
Both sides have traded insults over the fighting with Mr Saakashvili describing Russia's actions as "cold-blooded murder", while Russian president Dmitry Medvedev accused Georgia of ethnic cleansing.