US demands Russia ensures Georgian port access

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

TBILISI, Aug 14 (Reuters) - The United States will urgently press Russia to ensure free access to Georgian ports and the unfettered movement of ships from the ex-Soviet state, a senior U.S. envoy said on Thursday.

Matthew Bryza also told Reuters in an interview that Moscow should end its peacekeeping role in the Caucasus after siding with separatists in Georgia's rebel regions.

Bryza's comments came ahead of the arrival on Friday in Georgia of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who the envoy said aims to build on a fragile ceasefire after six days of conflict between Russian and Georgian forces.

Russian troops have occupied parts of Georgia, including the Black Sea port of Poti, since repelling a Georgian attempt to seize back control of the separatist pro-Russian territory of South Ossetia, which threw off Tbilisi's control in the 1990s.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LE52078.htm

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got this graphic from Junkdrawer in GD:http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3798511

[maddezmom]

1. Russia occupies Georgia, world pressure mounts

Russia occupies Georgia, world pressure mounts 14 Aug 2008 22:17:55 GMT
Source: Reuters
* Russia forces deploy around three Georgian towns

* U.N. calls for halt to lawlessness in Georgia

* U.S. Gates says Russia's behaviour has major implications

* U.S., Poland sign missile shield deal amid Georgia crisis

* U.S. envoy urges Russia to lift sea blockade of Georgia

By Matt Robinson

GORI, Georgia, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Russian troops and armour deployed around three Georgian towns on Thursday, as international pressure mounted on Moscow over its continuing occupation of parts of Georgia.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "extremely concerned" about the humanitarian situation in Georgia and called for a halt to lawlessness.

In the key Georgian town of Gori, west of the capital Tbilisi, correspondents saw signs of looting which locals blamed on militias from the neighbouring province of South Ossetia, where the conflict erupted a week ago.

Russian armed forces have occupied parts of Georgia since repelling a Georgian attack last week on the tiny pro-Russian separatist territory of South Ossetia, which threw off Tbilisi's control in the 1990s.

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LE638801.htm

[ohio2007]

2. ex Warsaw pact nations are not lock stepping to Putins orchestrated land grab

From the Baltic states to "the Stans", Russia may be jarring distressing memories of how much they are 'repressively' remembered.





Viktor Yushuchenko ; victim of dioxin poisoning


http://www.trentonian.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20016680&BRD=1697&PAG=461&dept_id=662724&rfi=6

and that is why they feel 'encircled'. They have encircled themselves

[Adsos Letter]

4. Perhaps..."blowback" from the Soviet Union's policies?

We aren't the only ones vulnerable to blowback.

[Igel]

3. Someone should ask Putin how that task of winning hearts and minds is going.

After all, he's not exactly making friends.

Of course, his answer might be disturbing. "Who needs minds? Just tell the soldiers to take out the hearts of every 10th person, the remaining 9 minds will rush to say they're your friends."

[daleo]

5. Russia should offer a quid pro quo to the U.S.

They withdraw their troops from the breakaway provinces of Georgia at the same time that the U.S. withdraws its troops from Iraq. It would be a fair trade and would show that both countries are willing to give a little.