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President George W. Bush said the U.S. would stand behind its ally Georgia and warned Russia that it must respect the"territorial integrity'' of the Black Sea nation.A U.S. military cargo plane is heading to Georgia with relief supplies and Bush said he directed Defense Secretary Robert Gates to organize a humanitarian aid effort. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel to Georgia to confer with President Mikheil Saakashvili."Russia's ongoing actions raise serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region,'' Bush said today at the White House in Washington. He said he was concerned about reports that Russian forces continue to move through Georgia in spite of an agreement on a cease-fire."The United States and the world expect Russia to honor that commitment'' to halt military operations, Bush said. He held out the threat that the U.S. would withdraw its support for Russia's"aspirations'' in diplomatic, economic and security organizations. The conflict has further strained relations between the U.S., which considers Georgia one of its closest allies in the region, and its former Cold War foe.Georgia today accused Russia of sending troops beyond the South Ossetia conflict zone in violation of a cease-fire agreed to by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Saakashvili. A Russian official denied the claim, saying the troops are eliminating Georgia's ability to renew attacks.Russian Movements
We're concerned about reports that Russian forces have entered and taken positions in the port city of Poti, that Russian armored vehicles are blocking access to that port, and that Russia is blowing up Georgian vessels,'' Bush said.The European Union brokered the cease-fire to end five days of fighting. EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to push the peace deal forward. The 27-nation bloc may send military personnel to monitor the cease-fire, said French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.Bush said he supports the EU effort and Rice will stop in Europe to coordinate efforts to end the crisis. The U.S. will use its aircraft and naval forces to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies, the president said."We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance,'' he said.
By Holly Rosenkrantz
As in the days of Noah...
