Bush Lets Russia Have It With Both Diplomatic Barrels
He accuses the Russians of trying to depose the democratically-elected Georgian government, among other things.
WASHINGTON - President Bush on Monday warned of a “dramatic and brutal escalation” of violence by Russia in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. He pressed Moscow to accept an immediate cease-fire and to pull back its troops.
Bush put the crisis at the top of his agenda as he returned from the Olympic Games in Beijing.
In a Rose Garden statement, he said there appeared to be an attempt by Russia to unseat Georgia’s pro-Western president, Mikhail Saakashvili.
He demanded an immediate cease-fire, the withdrawal of Russian troops from the conflict zone and a return to the status quo as of Aug. 6.
Russia has ignored calls for a truce and has responded with overwhelming military force. It appeared Bush had little leverage to win Moscow’s compliance.
Russia, which blasted President Bush for allowing the military to facilitate the transfer of Georgian troops from Iraq to their homeland so that they could fight to defend it, is on a reckless road here that won’t lead anywhere good.
We should be thankful that we have a leader like Bush at the helm now as he, unlike Obama, isn’t afraid to tell the Russians that what they’re doing wrong.
