Posted on 08/15/2008 6:31:23 PM PDT by silent_jonny
This morning, after receiving an update from his national security team on the situation in Georgia, President Bush delivered a brief statement from the White House Rose Garden. (Transcript)
The United States and our allies stand with the people of Georgia and their democratically elected government. Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. Moscow must honor its commitment to withdraw its invading forces from all Georgian territory …The people of Georgia have cast their lot with the free world, and we will not cast them aside.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia today and met face-to-face with President Mikheil Saakashvili. After meeting with the Georgian cabinet, Secretary Rice held a press conference with Saakashvili, then visited wounded Georgians in a nearby hospital.
When Secretary Rice returns to the US, she will be joined by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates as they meet with President Bush at his home in Crawford, Texas.
She will bring me up to date on what she has seen and what she heard in Georgia, as well as in France. Secretary of Defense Gates will keep me briefed on the humanitarian assistance to the people of Georgia.
President & Mrs. Bush will be spending most of the remaining days of their August vacation in Crawford.
Next Wednesday (August 20), President Bush will travel to Orlando, Florida to speak to the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention. Then he will travel to New Orleans, Louisiana, to make remarks on Gulf Coast recovery and to talk about his commitment to rebuilding the Gulf Coast. From there, he will travel to Mississippi and have a dinner there with community leaders, before returning to Crawford on Wednesday night. (Source)
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
Quote of the Day:
President Bush: Russia has tended to view the expansion of freedom and democracy as a threat to its interests. The opposite is true …With its actions in recent days Russia has damaged its credibility and its relations with the nations of the free world. Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century. 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.
Photos of the Day:
A Marine stands at attention as President George W. Bush walks toward Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, August 15, 2008, prior to flying to Texas.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice greets people with posters as she visits Tbilisi for talks with Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili on August 15, 2008. The signs read “Thank You, President Bush” and “Please Help Georgia”.
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HI
And thanks for the ping
President Bush: Good morning. I've just received an update from my national security team on the situation in Georgia. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Tbilisi. She's conferring with President Saakashvili and expressing America's wholehearted support for Georgia's democracy.She will be traveling to Crawford, where I will meet her and she will bring me up to date on what she has seen and what she heard in Georgia, as well as in Paris -- I mean, in France. She did not go to Paris. Secretary of Defense Gates will keep me briefed on the humanitarian assistance to the people of Georgia. We're working closely with our partners in Europe and other members of the G7 to bring a resolution to this crisis.
The United States and our allies stand with the people of Georgia and their democratically elected government. Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. Moscow must honor its commitment to withdraw its invading forces from all Georgian territory.
Thanks. :)
President Bush: Some Americans listening today may wonder why events taking place in a small country halfway around the world matter to the United States. In the years since it's gained independence after the Soviet Union's collapse, Georgia has become a courageous democracy. Its people are making the tough choices that are required of free societies. Since the Rose Revolution in 2003, the Georgian people have held free elections, opened up their economy, and built the foundations of a successful democracy.Georgia has sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq to help others achieve the liberty that they struggled so hard to attain. To further strengthen their democracy, Georgia has sought to join the free institutions of the West. The people of Georgia have cast their lot with the free world, and we will not cast them aside.
President Bush: Russia has tended to view the expansion of freedom and democracy as a threat to its interests. The opposite is true: Free and prosperous societies on Russia's borders will advance Russia's interests by serving as sources of stability and economic opportunity.We hope Russia's leaders will recognize that a future of cooperation and peace will benefit all parties.
The Cold War is over.
The days of satellite states and spheres of influence are behind us.
A contentious relationship with Russia is not in America's interest. And a contentious relationship with America is not in Russia's interest.
With its actions in recent days Russia has damaged its credibility and its relations with the nations of the free world. Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century. 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. To begin to repair its relations with the United States and Europe and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must respect the freedom of its neighbors.
Thank you.
Hi
Ruh-Roh, hope Russia was paying careful attention to that one...
Thanks for the great pics. Condi was awesome in Tbilisi. I loved her speech!
President Bush waves as he leaves the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 15, 2008, departing for his Texas ranch for vacation.
Bush also totally rocked my world with his speech.
The line you put in red is one I had chosen in one of my previous posts as a favorite.
He made history with that line, imo.
A Marine stands at attention as President George W. Bush walks toward Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, August 15, 2008, prior to flying to Texas.
President Bush, accompanied by Air Force Col. Eric Snadecki, 316th Wing Commander, waves prior to boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, Friday, Aug. 15, 2008, prior to departing for Texas.
Oh my goodness! The hummingbird and the wildflower is just beautiful! Thanks for including that!
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