US Backs Georgia Territory Integrity; Sends Envoy

WASHINGTON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The United States on Friday asserted its support for Georgia's territorial integrity and urged an immediate cease-fire in Georgia's rebel territory of South Ossetia, where Tbilisi tried to assert control and Russia sent in forces.

State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos also said the United States was sending an envoy to the region "to engage with the parties in the conflict."

"We support Georgia's territorial integrity and call for an immediate cease-fire. We urge all parties, including Georgians, South Ossetians and Russians to de-escalate and avoid conflict," Gallegos said.

He added that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other senior officials had spoken with and continued to work with the parties to seek an end to hostilities. The United States was also talking with its European allies about how to end the conflict, Gallegos said.

Fighting between Georgian forces and Russian-backed separatists raged in and around Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, after Tbilisi sent troops to take back the territory, which broke away in the 1990s.

more at link: http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINN0849065620080808

So much for the right to self-determination... South Ossetia declared their Independence in 1992 and now we support Georgia's territorial integrity? Good move dimson!

And, fighting a proxy-war with Russia.

Not that Russia was too friendly with the US since the end of the Cold War, but fighting a proxy war against Russia would guarantee that Russia's future military stance would be hostile to the US for decades to come. The only upshot to this is if you are an arms manufacturer: It's another excuse to lobby the US gov't to throw more military contracts your way, at the expense of all social programs. You make more money, while the world digs trenches.

She is the best peace envoy out there!!!

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :hi:

for condomlicka' rice ;-)

in the summer of 2006 as the Israelis leveled Beirut. The same one who was just over in Europe signing up the Czechs and the Poles to set up a "missile defense" system right on Russia's doorstep. Umm hmm.

This whole Russo/Georgian conflict is simply the "birthpangs" of a new Caucasus," right Vlad?

Right, she's got a lot of credibility.

Although it's certainly possible that Bush/Cheney really are that stupid.

What is Georgia going to do? Just wait out the Russians. They are in a mess now.

I'm just picturing what would have happened if Germany sent envoys to D.C. to engage Chimpy after he invaded Iraq.


I need to sit down. Wait, I am sitting. I need to lay down.