And now things get interesting. The move I see with this, is to hold Russia to it’s word of a ceasefire. But the bigger message is that we are going in, and if Russia has bigger war plans, then it better not conflict with our plans of providing aid. This could be risky, because the Russians could very well play the game of swinging their arms wildly and saying “I am not stopping, I am not stopping” while they walk towards us. And for that matter, I do hope that there are a few Combat Air Controllers with this small contingent of troops that are going in. And with all air on deck….
The other thing about this is that our administration is making their move. It’s risky, but they have to do something to save some face. Russia seems to have no intention of honoring a ceasefire and the whole world is watching, including the other break away republics in the region. Stay tuned to see how this plays out. –Head Jundi
————————————————————-
Bush sends US troops to Georgia
The US is sending troops to embattled Georgia in the form of a humanitarian aid exercise, President George Bush said.
Mr Bush said military planes would deliver supplies in a move which would put American forces in the heart of the region.
The president said he was concerned that Russia might be violating the ceasefire in Georgia and he expected all Russian forces to withdraw.
He is also sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Paris for talks with EU peacemakers and then to Georgia to express solidarity with the democratically elected government there. Mr Bush said he strongly supported France’s efforts to broker an end to the fighting.
He said the massive US humanitarian effort was already in progress and would involve US Naval forces as well as aircraft.
A C-17 military cargo plane loaded with supplies was on the way, and Mr Bush said that Russia must ensure that “all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, roads and airports,” remain open to let deliveries and civilians through.
“To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis,” he said.
The US intervention came after Russian troops and paramilitaries rolled into the strategic Georgian city of Gori smashing the truce designed to end the conflict that has uprooted 100,000 people and scarred the Georgian landscape.
Georgian officials said the town of Gori, which sits on Georgia’s main east-west road, was looted and bombed by the Russians.
To the west separatists in Abkahzian backed by Russian military pushed out Georgian troops and even moved into Georgian territory itself, planting a flag over the Inguri River.
Story Link Here