Georgia Signs Cease-Fire With Russia

Deal Includes Concessions To Moscow; Georgian Leader: NATO Snub Invited Russia's Invasion

(CBS/AP)  Georgia's president grudgingly signed a truce with Russia Friday, even as he denounced the Russians as invading barbarians and accused the West of all but encouraging them to overrun his country. Standing alongside, a stone-faced U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Russian troops must withdraw immediately from their smaller neighbor.

U.S. President Georgia W. Bush talked tough, too, accusing the Russians of "bullying and intimidation," but neither he nor Rice said what the U.S. might do if Russia ignored them.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's press office had no information Friday night on whether he had signed the cease-fire agreement.

Even as Rice stood with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in a show of solidarity, he asked, "Who invited the trouble here? Who invited this arrogance here? Who invited these innocent deaths here?"

Shaky and near tears following a difficult, nearly five-hour meeting with her, Saakashvili answered his own question: "Not only those people who perpetrate them are responsible, but also those people who failed to stop it."

Rice let that pass, focusing instead on the demand that Moscow immediately withdraw its forces.

"With this signature by Georgia, this must take place and take place now," she declared.

There was no immediate clue to the Russians' intentions a week after their tanks and bombers attacked Georgia in retaliation for Georgia's attempt to retake a disputed province by force.

Russian troops allowed some humanitarian supplies into the strategic city of Gori but otherwise continued their blockade.

Adding to the day's tensions was a top Russian general's comments that Poland's agreement to accept a U.S. missile interceptor base exposed the ex-communist nation to attack, possibly by nuclear weapons, the Interfax news agency reported.

The statement by Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn is the strongest threat that Russia has issued against the plans to put missile defense elements in former Soviet satellite nations.

The cease-fire document sets out no specific penalties or deadlines. It contains concessions to Russia that Saakashvili obviously found hard to swallow. Russia could retain peacekeeping forces in the separatist region of South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, and the forces would have a broader mandate in South Ossetia.

Even if Russia fully complies with the cease-fire, the Bush administration says there will be more consequences to come. Bush's advisers are settling on penalties that would be intentionally modest and subtle, such as continuing to exclude Russia's foreign minister from discussions among his counterparts in elite gatherings of the world's leading economies.

The idea is to give Moscow the diplomatic cold shoulder while offering face-saving leeway for Russia to turn away from a mentality the West sees as throwback to its empire days. Russia would then have motivation, and some wiggle room, to seek inclusion in Western economic, political and security institutions.

In Washington, Bush accused Russia of resorting to thuggery from another era. He insisted the United States will not abandon Georgia, a Western-leaning democracy on Russia's southern flank and once part of the old Soviet Union.

"Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century," Bush said. "Only Russia can decide whether it will now put itself back on the path of responsible nations or continue to pursue a policy that promises only confrontation and isolation."

Russian withdrawal from Gori, in the center of Georgia proper, would be a major sign that Russia is not trying to hold permanent sway in Georgia or topple its enthusiastically pro-American government. By holding Gori, Russia holds the small country's only major east-west highway and effectively slices Georgia in half.

The peace pact was worked out earlier in the week by French president Nicolas Sarkozy and both sides had said they agreed to it.

Russian forces remained, however, and U.S. officials said the document would take effect once it was formally signed Friday. It tells both sides to pull their forces back to the positions they held before fighting broke out last week in South Ossetia.

Saakashvili's emotional tirade and the forceful words from Bush in Washington suggested that a week into the crisis, both leaders were reassessing how they got here.

"We will rebuild. We want them out. I want the world to know, never, ever will Georgia reconcile with occupation of even one square kilometer of its sovereign territory. Never, ever," Saakashvili said.

His leadership is founded on a close alliance with Washington that has always exasperated Moscow.

Bush gave his most sustained explanation of U.S. action during the crisis, saying the conflict is about much more than a small country far away. Bush made clear the real fight is about the power and ambition of nuclear-armed Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union and Russia's resurgence as an energy dynamo.

"The Cold War is over. The days of satellite states and spheres of influence are behind us," Bush said at the White House, before a vacation delayed by the crisis. "A contentious relationship with Russia is not in America's interest, and a contentious relationship with America is not in Russia's interest."

Rice said the time had come "to begin a discussion of the consequences of what Russia has done. This calls into question what role Russia really plans to play in international politics."

Rice was flying to Texas, where she was to give Bush a firsthand account of her diplomatic mission.

Apparently concerned that her awkward press conference with Saakashvili had set the wrong tone, Rice spoke briefly on her own before leaving Georgia.

"It's obviously a very emotional time here in Georgia," she said after visiting wounded people in a hospital.

"It's clearly a very emotional time, but I think that it should still be seen that this was a productive day. I hope now that peace can return to Georgia and Georgians can return to a normal life."

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Friday that 82 tons of humanitarian supplies have been delivered to Georgia so far in four aircraft flights. He said the U.S. military is planning to do another two flights each day through the weekend.

There are still roughly 100 U.S. military personnel in Georgia - ranging from military trainers to security personnel at the embassy. Some of the trainers are scheduled to leave because they are reservists and their tour is over, Whitman said.

"The United States would never ask Georgia to sign onto something where its interests were not protected," she told reporters aboard her plane as she flew to the Georgian capital from France where she met French President Nicolas Sarkozy who brokered the cease-fire.

The cease-fire requires Russia to withdraw its combat forces from Georgia but allows Russian peacekeepers to remain in the breakaway region of South Ossetia and conduct limited patrols outside the region.

A draft of the document did not commit Russia to respecting Georgia's "territorial integrity," but rather refers to Georgian "independence" and "sovereignty." That means Moscow does not necessarily accept that Georgia governs South Ossetia and a larger separatist territory, Abkhazia.

Officials say the eventual status of the two areas will be worked out under existing U.N. Security Council resolutions which recognize Georgia's international borders. Those borders now include the two provinces where many Russian citizens and loyalists live.

The U.S. and its allies had been pushing for Russia to agree to restore the situation to the status quo before Georgian troops moved into South Ossetia last week, prompting Russia's severe response and seven days of bloodshed.

Now they have been forced to back down on the key issues of the mandate of Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia, which did not previously include outside patrols, and the territorial integrity question, which Russia ostensibly accepted before but no longer does.

U.S. officials concede the agreement is not perfect but maintain it will get Russian combat troops out of Georgia, ideally within days.

In addition to the cease-fire document, Rice carried with her a letter signed by Sarkozy that clarifies the special security measures that Russian peacekeepers will be allowed to take on Georgian soil, officials said.

"These clarifications are meant to protect Georgian interests," she said.

The cease-fire would allow Russian peacekeepers who were in South Ossetia before the fighting broke out to stay and to patrol temporarily in a strip of up to 6.2 miles, or 10 kilometers, outside, officials said.

Officials say the expanded mandate would end as soon as a team of international monitors could be sent to observe, something they believe can be done in weeks.

[existinguser]

a 12yo American girl tells her story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3IuSLALxSw

[toldyouso12]

Georgia mistakenly thought that when we said we stood behind them, it meant we had their back--it meant we would use them as shields--that''''s all. Bush dares not do more than bluster--watch those sanctions--how do you sanction someone who you dare not fight (nuclear weapons, huge expense, exposed country and our over extended military) and who has a commodity desperately needed (oil)? THINK ABOUT IT.

Poland take heed--because what you see in Georgia is a prelude to what might happen if you try to accomodate those missile defense system. If a chance of retaliation is "100%" what does that mean? Prepare for an azz whuppin'''' that''''s what. And we''''ll stand behind Poland too--FAR behind. Like somewhere in Western Europe.

[toldyouso12]

With this signature by Georgia, this must take place and take place now," she declared.


Never talk tough if you have neither the ballz, money, military, resources or will to enforce your threats, Condi. WE can''t even impose sanctions if Russia does not stop or withdraw--countries need their oil too badly. We have no military to send and with our forces tied up in 2 wars already, we are not in a position to intimidate. What''s that? Nuclear strikes? Only if you want nuclear strikes in a few American cities too. Most people do not realize the stakes--nor do they realize that America is not in any position to demand, command or threaten--because short of force, we have no power to make Russia do anything--and the world knows this. If they control that pipeline, Europe is hamstrung unless they cooperate with Russia--unless we want to share the oil from the ME between the rest of the world and watch gas to maybe 10 or $12/gal.

Well and truly fvcked.

[toldyouso12]

so.... on those American/ Polish missile sites... think Russia will bomb the proposed areas with limited nuclear weapons (before we build) then wish us luck in building our missles there when the radioactivity dies down in about 13000 years?

Then WWTUSD? Go to the UN and ask for more sanctions and refuse to go to more meetings with the Russians. TRANSLATION: "Besides whining, not a *** thing" LOL

[toldyouso12]

Is that sort of like our cease fires in Iraq? or more like those Israeli cease fires in Lebanon? LOL

[samsel3]

The Russian invasion of South Ossetia is only for control of the BTC pipelines which sends oil & gas to Ceyran, Turkey. Shareholders in the BTC pipeline are: British Petroleum, AzBTC, Chevron, Statoil, TPAO, ENI, Total, Itochu, INPEX, ConocoPhillips & Amerada Hess.
The Russians are the second largest supplier of gas & oil on the planet.
This pipeline was constructed to circumvent Russian pipelines supplying Europe giving the US Brits et al the lions share of the market.
Taking out Iraq also took a major source of oil away from Russia.
The Russians are now evening the score.

[cdfoxtrot2]

Only americans could turn a fact into an opinion. No wonder Bush does what he does, because so many of you let him.
FACT: Georgia attacked South Ossetai and killed hundreds, if not thousands of civillians
FACT: Russia responded as they promised they would, and showed more restraint than the US has in decades.
FACT: Not even corporate media and governments spinning machines change those facts.

Posted by tapsettle

Well said. I might add that Israel attacked Lebanon with no justification two years ago, all with the full backing of the US. The US blocked UNSC efforts at the time to condemn the illegal action and to force Israel out. The US, itself, launched an unwarranted and illegal invasion of Iraq five years ago and is still occupying that country. Russia is fully entitled to do things that protect its own strategic interests and the US has zero credibility or moral authority in condemning Russia for its actions.

[cdfoxtrot2]

Only americans could turn a fact into an opinion. No wonder Bush does what he does, because so many of you let him.
FACT: Georgia attacked South Ossetai and killed hundreds, if not thousands of civillians
FACT: Russia responded as they promised they would, and showed more restraint than the US has in decades.
FACT: Not even corporate media and governments spinning machines change those facts.

Posted by tapsettle

Well said. I might add that Israel attacked Lebanon with no justification two years ago, all with the full backing of the US. The US blocked UNSC efforts at the time to condemn the illegal action and to force Israel out. The US, itself, launched an unwarranted and illegal invasion of Iraq five years ago and is still occupying that country. Russia is fully entitled to do things that protect its own strategic interests and the US has zero credibility or moral authority in condemning Russia for its actions.

[vnveteran72]

They say if you look into a Neocon''s ear, you''ll have an excellent view of a Crazed Hamster trying his best to run in his wheel, only to keep falling off and landing on his ever softening skull......LMMFAO

It''s interesting to read all these old unreconstructed cold warriors comments on these boards
AND
Keep in mind one huge reality!!

Immediately after 9/11, military recruiting offices were full of young Americans eager to fight for their country. Then the neo-cons hijacked it all to go off to create an oil colony - AND THEN military recruiting offices were as empty as the inside of the idiot-sons head.
If McCain wants to beat war drums - let ''em. Just shows how stupid he, and his old cold-warrior supporters are.
No draft-no more. One of the reasons I like being a child of the sixties.
Kids are a helluva lot smarter...

[vnveteran72]

It''''''''s been real, Neocons, but it''''''''s time to Flush you guys once and for all. You''''''''re Stinkin'''''''' up the Joint....
....
Sure, we are all ready to roll over and vote for that naive child Obama. Dream on, bitter guy.


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Posted by mcapek at 07:06 PM : Aug 15, 2008
+ report abuse

This from the guy that wants to attack Russia.....
Too funny.....

[tapsettle]

Only americans could turn a fact into an opinion. No wonder Bush does what he does, because so many of you let him.
FACT: Georgia attacked South Ossetai and killed hundreds, if not thousands of civillians
FACT: Russia responded as they promised they would, and showed more restraint than the US has in decades.
FACT: Not even corporate media and governments spinning machines change those facts.

[vnveteran72]

Stone Facing and Tough Talk is all you''''''''re going to see from the Neocons. Maybe a little Foot Stomping and Breath Holding, but nothing substantive.
Shrub shot the US''''''''s Wadd in Iraq and Afghanastan, and now any real Threat or Emergency, whether Foreign or Domestic, will be met with words, ''''''''cause that''''''''s all that''''''''s left. Thanks, Neocons!!!

What makes you think we cannot attack Russians? We do not have troops on ground there, except for military advisors, but that does not prevent our Air Force, Navy, and Strategic forces from putting the squeeze on Russians.


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Posted by mcapek at 07:03 PM : Aug 15, 2008
+ report abuse

Sure, attack the Russians.....they''ll back down....
LMMFAO......Why not just get a gun and blow our Collective Brains out now and avoid the Mushroom Clouds???

[mcapek]

It''''s been real, Neocons, but it''''s time to Flush you guys once and for all. You''''re Stinkin'''' up the Joint....
....
Sure, we are all ready to roll over and vote for that naive child Obama. Dream on, bitter guy.

[mcapek]

Stone Facing and Tough Talk is all you''''re going to see from the Neocons. Maybe a little Foot Stomping and Breath Holding, but nothing substantive.
Shrub shot the US''''s Wadd in Iraq and Afghanastan, and now any real Threat or Emergency, whether Foreign or Domestic, will be met with words, ''''cause that''''s all that''''s left. Thanks, Neocons!!!

What makes you think we cannot attack Russians? We do not have troops on ground there, except for military advisors, but that does not prevent our Air Force, Navy, and Strategic forces from putting the squeeze on Russians.

[vnveteran72]

As Election Day nears, and the Grand Oil Party of Criminals sees their Grasp on Control of all things riding off into the Sunset, look for a "National Emergency", requiring a raising of the Threat Level to "Oh Sh*t"!!, and Pappy repeating daily how it''s all too scary out there for Americans to trust their Safety to Evil Leftist Hippies and Pot Headed Commies.
Fortunately, Americans have Been There and Done That,
and it won''t deter them from purging every last Neocon Scumbag and their DINO Enablers from Office.
It''s been real, Neocons, but it''s time to Flush you guys once and for all.
You''re Stinkin'' up the Joint......

[apprxam]

Nite, Rav

[apprxam]

Yes, vnveteran72. To here shurb and Rice indignant complaint about a country''s invading of a smaller one is tragically laughable.

Then you ahve genius like, WellHell, spouting about islamist facist , when every reasonable citizen see this kenard as a Rovian talking point meant to distract and confuse.

Too much Savage Nation and not enough oxygen.

[tapsettle]

Some foreign medias are saying that in fact Russia attacked first against the S. Ossetians that were planning to meet with Georgia. And Russia sure did close up the area fast!

Posted by WellHell3

Nothing like a pack of lies to support an unsupportable point of view, eh? Even most serious US media dont buy that ***, just the corporate krap doing Bush dirty work. Try looking a little harder.

[blackisbest]

MCCAIN FOR WAR 08! Lets go to world war 3 with russia!
come on conservatives! it will be fun to watch all the dead white boys when they come back!
mccain 08!