Candidates Call For End To Georgia Bombing

McCain, Obama Call For Multi-Pronged Diplomatic Action To Force Russian Withdrawal

(AP)  Presidential rivals John McCain and Barack Obama on Monday called for a multi-pronged diplomatic effort to force Russia to withdraw from Georgia, saying Moscow's relationship with the rest of the world depends on it backing down.

Both candidates said Europe and other nations must be united against Russia's widening assault against Georgia, U.S.'s closest ally among the democratizing former Soviet republics. And they said NATO should reconsider its decision to withhold a "membership action plan" for Georgia.

That decision "might have been viewed as a green light by Russia for its attacks on Georgia," McCain, a Republican senator from Arizona, said.

Speaking to reporters in Pennsylvania, McCain said Russia appears intent on toppling the Georgian government rather than simply restoring the status quo in the pro-Moscow province of South Ossetia, which Georgia is trying to keep from breaking away.

"NATO's North Atlantic Council should convene in emergency session to demand a ceasefire and begin discussions on both the deployment of an international peacekeeping force to South Ossetia and the implications for NATO's future relationship with Russia," McCain said.

He said the United States "should coordinate with our partners in Germany, France and Britain, to seek an emergency meeting of the G-7 foreign ministers to discuss the current crisis."

"We must remind Russia's leaders that the benefits they enjoy from being part of the civilized world require their respect for the values, stability and peace of that world," McCain said.

(Read More About McCain's Statement In CBSNews.com's From The Road Blog)

Obama, a Democratic senator from Illinois, also urged a multinational response but added that U.N. Security Council should play a major role in helping end the crisis. He said the Security Council should pass a resolution calling for an immediate end to the violence, and urged a U.N. mediator to join French and Finnish foreign ministers in Georgia to try to end the fighting.

"The U.N. must stand up for the sovereignty of its members and peace in the world," Obama told reporters during his weeklong vacation in Hawaii.

Like McCain, Obama warned that Russia's future relationships are at stake. An international forum, he said, should be convened to review Russia's interest in joining the World Trade Organization.

"We want Russia to play its rightful role as a great nation," Obama said. "But with that role comes the responsibility to act as a force for progress in this new century, not regression to the conflicts of the past."

[kmccliment]

Live at 3:30pm et:

Georgian president quotes John McCains support for the country of Georgia and calls for Russia to halt. Georgian president quoted John McCain not Barry Obama. The international community in a crisis does not recognize Obama. They do respect and support John McCain.

McCain 08

[raoul2b]

Evidently Russia is not impressed by Obama''s campaign to become President of the World.

Posted by ragnar30066 at 06:52 PM : Aug 11, 2008
_________________________

More important, they know that both Dumbya and McComa are history, yesterday''s news, not relevant.

[raoul2b]

It was Dumbya''s policy which led to the invasion of Georgia. He did everything he could think of to encourage Georgia to taunt Russia: Pushing for Georgia to become a member of NATO,And then when it finally happens, what does he do. He makes a tough-sounding speech with no way at all to back it up. Our (Russian expert) Condisleezeball Price is on vacation and the Russian do what they please. And in the peanut gallery McComa makes noises sniping at Obama but only echoing the blatherings of Dumbya. What a crew these Repugs are.

But remember, when Dumbya met Putin, he "looked in the man''s eyes and saw his soul." He knew this was a man he understood. Yeah, right.

[hasher471]

Does anyone know where I can find the text of Obama''''s full statement?
Posted by ourtomorrows
---------------------------------------------
And McCain''s statement:
DRILL MORE, DRILL NOW!!! :-)

[usais11]

In an attempt to burnish his credential as a foreign policy seer, Obama claims to have been speaking out and warning about the situation in Georgia "for many months". Does anyone recall hearing Barack Obama over the past many months address this conflict? I did a google search and came up with no such history extending back many months, let alone the past few days. Barack Obama-he can heal the planet and recreate history.

[raoul2b]

Evidently Russia is not impressed by Obama''s campaign to become President of the World.

Posted by ragnar30066 at 06:52 PM : Aug 11, 2008
___________________

And definitely not impressed by Dumbya and McComa.

[raoul2b]

Bush and McComa: Two peas in a pod

"I have looked into Putin''s eyes and have seen his soul. This is a man I can trust."

George Dumbya 2003

Now both of these idiots are being totally ignored by Putin.

So much for the experience of these clowns.

[raoul2b]

Bush and McComa: Two peas in a pod

"I have looked into Putin''s eyes and have seen his soul. This is a man I can trust." Now both of these idiots are being totally ignored by Putin.

So much for the experience of these clowns.

[ourtomorrows]

"The U.N. must stand up for the sovereignty of its members and peace in the world," Obama told reporters during his weeklong vacation in Hawaii.

Like McCain, Obama warned that Russia''s future relationships are at stake. An international forum, he said, should be convened to review Russia''s interest in joining the World Trade Organization.

"We want Russia to play its rightful role as a great nation," Obama said. "But with that role comes the responsibility to act as a force for progress in this new century, not regression to the conflicts of the past."

Does anyone know where I can find the text of Obama''s full statement? He must have said more than this? Is CBS selectively quoting (though I would expect them to do that to McCain, not Obama)? Did his advisors issue additional statements? This is a sincere request for information, I am not an Obama fan, but dear god, there must be more to his plan than withholding membership in the WTO.

[ragnar30066]

Evidently Russia is not impressed by Obama''s campaign to become President of the World.

[mr2258]

Did anyone really think Obama had a chance to become president.GET REAL...

[noloyalisti]

Our allies are the bad guys, since we have become the biggest purveyor of state sponsored terror in the world. Maybe it is OK for Russia to put missiles in Cuba or along the Canadian and Mexican borders. After all it is for their security.

[rosieod4prez]

matvei1107 - I bet you see a conspiracy at every red light, don''t you ?

[rosieod4prez]

Ah yes - Democrats - the party of hate and lies.


Notice folks - the article says McCAin wants to start a diplomatic solution.

[jgunther7]

John McCain can''t even figure out how to use the internet. I hope Cindy is there to help him if he ever has to press the button.

[toldyouso12]

The American people are not going to entrust the security and prosperity of the country to such an immature and unproven man.


Posted by usais11 at 11:50 AM : Aug 11, 2008


On the other hand, the voters may have little choice since the alternative is to vote for the guy who does not know how to speak, what to say, cannot get the names of countries right, does not know who we are fighting or where they are located and thinks hot bottled water will somehow save dehydrated babies and has pledged to get some for all of them if he is elected President. LMAO

[thegoodtexan]

The thought of fumble bum John McCain with his finger on the button is sobering indeed. First we would have to give him lessons on geography, like where is Czechoslovakia, and difference between the Georgias. We don%u2019t want him going off and bombing the wrong place. The really scary problem is what if he goes to press the button to answer the phone at 3 am.

[toldyouso12]

Why should McCain or Bush think they carry any weight in saying fighting anywhere should end? If we don''t own, it bankroll it or have troops there, we sure as he11 can''t dictate or police it. That would be like the President of Burma calling for Americans to not invade Iraq. How well did that work out for them? LOL

[kissamaarse]

JukeBox John, the pathological hypocrite, will call for the opposite tomorrow. Maybe it has something to do with those $520 Farragamo loafers he is so fond of wearing, while calling his opponent elitist.

[jmurrieta1]

A breakaway region of a small country that is ethnically Russian wants its right of self-determination. A controlling ethic group, Gruzians, don''t want them to have it. Russia sends in troops.

A large country that already has the right of self-determination is invaded by the United States, based on self-serving acts by US politicians and the chicanery of an Iranian-sponsored "opposition figure". The US sends in troops.

Which is more reprehensible?

Maybe McCain better be looking in the mirror for all the cheerleading he did for the Iraq invasion before he dares to criticize the Russians.