Bob McCarty Writes

In a statement from the Westin Beijing Chaoyang Hotel which began at 4:20 p.m. Central, President George W. Bush offered some measured words about the growing conflict between Russia and its southern neighbor, Georgia. The transcript of his statement appears below:

“I’m deeply concerned about the situation in Georgia. The United States takes this matter very seriously.

“The attacks are occurring in regions of Georgia far from the zone of conflict in South Ossetia. They mark a dangerous escalation in the crisis. The violence is endangering regional peace. Civilian lives have been lost, and others are endangered.

“This situation can be resolved peacefully. We’ve been in contact with leaders in both Georgia and Russia at all levels of government. Georgia is a sovereign nation and its territorial integrity must be respected. We have urged an immediate halt to the violence and a stand-down by all troops. We call for an end to the Russian bombings, and a return by the parties to the status quo of August the 6th.

“The United States is working with our European partners to launch international mediation, and with the parties to restart their dialogue. Russia needs to support these efforts so that peace can be restored as quickly as possible.

“Laura and I were also saddened by the attack on an American family and their Chinese tour guide today in Beijing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. And the United States government has offered to provide any assistance the family needs.

“Thank you very much.”

The president’s statement comes three days after the State Department issued a very similar statement on the situation in Georgia. It read as follows:

Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte summoned Russian Charge d’Affaires Darchiyev today to press Moscow to cease military operations in Georgia. The Deputy Secretary said that we deplore today’s Russian attacks by strategic bombers and missiles, which are threatening civilian lives. These attacks mark a dangerous and disproportionate escalation of tension, as they occur across Georgia in regions far from the zone of conflict in South Ossetia.

The United States calls for an end to these bombings, an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of Russian ground combat forces from Georgia, and return by all parties to the status quo of August 6.

We underscore the international community’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as articulated in numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions, including most recently UNSCR 1808 in April 2008.