Bush puts pressure on Moscow over Georgia

(13 Aug 2008) SHOTLIST
1. United States President George W. Bush walking out to meet press, flanked by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defence Robert Gates
2. Cutaway of Bush at podium, Rice and Gates standing by
3. SOUNDBITE (English) George W. Bush, US President:
"The United States of America stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia and insists that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected. Russia has stated that changing the government of Georgia is not its goal. The United States and the world expect Russia to honour that commitment."
4. Cutaway of media
5. SOUNDBITE (English) George W. Bush, US President:
"With these concerns in mind, I have directed a series of steps to demonstrate our solidarity with the Georgian people and bring about a peaceful resolution to this conflict. I'm sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to France where she will confer with President (Nicolas) Sarkozy. She will then travel to Tbilisi where she will personally convey America's unwavering support for Georgia's democratic government. On this trip she will continue our efforts to rally the free world in the defence of a free Georgia. I've also directed Secretary of Defence Bob Gates to begin a humanitarian mission to the people of Georgia headed by the United States military. This mission will be vigorous and ongoing."
6. Cutaway of Bush at podium, Rice and Gates standing by
7. SOUNDBITE (English) George W. Bush, US President:
"In recent years Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic and security structures of the 21st century. The United States has supported those efforts. Now Russia is putting its aspirations at risk by taking actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those institutions. 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. Thank you."
8. Bush, Rice and Gates walking away
STORYLINE
President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he is sceptical that Moscow is honouring a cease-fire in neighbouring Georgia and demanded that
Russia end all military activities in the former Soviet republic and withdraw all its forces.
"The United States stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia and insists that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia
be respected," Bush said, during brief remarks in the White House Rose Garden.
"To demonstrate our solidarity with the Georgian people," the president announced that he was sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Paris to help the West's diplomatic efforts in the crisis, and then to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.
He also announced that a massive US humanitarian effort already was in progress and would involve US aircraft as well as naval forces.
A US C-17 military cargo plane, loaded with supplies, already is on the way, and Bush said that Russia must ensure that the 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," Bush said.
The president spoke amid a fast-moving chain of events as Rice cancelled a planned news conference and the White House scrubbed its regular morning briefing for reporters.

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