Bush Sends Humanitarian Aid to Georgia Via the Military

Posted on August 13, 2008

President Bush today announced that he is sending humanitarian aid into Georgia via the military warned Russia not to impede the delivery of that aid. He also said he is sending Secretary of State Rice to France and to Georgia to help negotiate and end to hostilities.

The president, speaking at the White House with Ms. Rice and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, criticized Russia and called on it to "keep its word and act to end this crisis." Mr. Bush said that a transport plane with medical supplies was already on its way to Georgia, and that American air and naval forces would carry out the aid mission. And he said pointedly that Russia must not interfere with aid arriving in Georgia by air, land or water.
But while Mr. Bush said the United States "stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia and insists that its sovereignty and territorial integrity be respected," his remarks contained no hint of an American military role in Georgia, other than providing humanitarian assistance. However, minutes after Mr. Bush's comments, President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia characterized the import of the American aid as "definitely an American military presence" and called it a "turning point."
In a telephone interview, he said of Mr. Bush's statement: "We were unhappy with the initial actions of the American officials, because they were perceived by the Russians as green lines basically. But this one was very strong." "What I expected specifically from America was to secure our airport and to secure our seaports," he went on, concluding that the American presence would do so. "The main thing now is that the Georgian Tbilisi airport will be permanently under control."

Those comments by President Mikheil Saakashvili infuriated the Russians and the Pentagon had to clarify that the U.S. is there strictly in an humanitarian capacity. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov then told news agencies that the U.S. would have to choose between its "special project" in Georgia or partnership with Russia on the Iranian and other world issues.

Meanwhile, the Russian troops continue to advance. Things are starting to look a bit dicey. However, on the bright side: Condoleezza Rice is an expert on all things Russian, speaking and writing the language fluently: her expertise will be put to good use in this situation. It's like the Cold War just erupted again. At least we know and understand the opponent in this situation and we're dealing with a state government, instead of some terrorist group. Fighting terrorists is much more difficult. Although now it looks like we're having to do both: enter a new Cold War with Russia over the satellite countries Putin wants back and fight terrorism.