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Bush: Georgia must remain undivided
Flanked by his top diplomatic aide, but also accompanied by his secretary of defense, President Bush sent a clear message to Russia, asserting America's support for a tentative agreement to end the war in Georgia, but saying he would "insist" that the country remain undivided.In a brief but stern address at the White House, Mr. Bush, who was accompanied by Secretary of State Rice and Defense Secretary Gates, said he was "concerned" by reports that despite the agreement reached by President Sarkozy of France late yesterday, Russian troops have taken position in the Georgian port town of Poti and the central city of Gori, which sits on the country's major artery and could cut it in half. "Russia has stated that changing the government of Georgia is not its goal. The United States and the world expect Russia to honor that commitment," Mr. Bush said. He said Ms. Rice would go to France, where she would bolster the mediation mission conducted by Mr. Sarkozy, who serves as the European Union's rotating president. Mr. Bush pointedly said he had spoken with Mr. Sarkozy and with President Saakashvili of Georgia, but he did not say anything about contacts with President Medvedev or Prime Minister Putin of Russia. Posted by: lotp 2008-08-14 |
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