Bush sends Rice to Georgia

President Bush on Wednesday said he is dispatching Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Georgia to help broker a peace deal between the country and Russia.

In a strongly worded statement from the Rose Garden, Bush cautioned Russia to keep its word regarding a cease fire. The president said that the U.S. insists that the “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Georgia must be respected and that Russia’s actions “raise serious questions about its intentions” in the region.

{mosads}Rice “will personally convey America’s unwavering support for Georgia’s democratic government,” Bush said. “On this trip, she will continue our efforts to rally the free world in the defense of a free Georgia.”

Flanked by Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the president also said that the U.S. military would lead a humanitarian mission to provide supplies to civilians affected by the fighting between Russia and Georgia.

“This mission will be vigorous and ongoing,” Bush said. “A U.S. C-17 aircraft with humanitarian supplies is on its way. And in the days ahead, we will use U.S. aircraft, as well as naval forces, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies.”

Bush added that the U.S. supports European Union efforts to broker an agreement between the two countries.

“We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit,” the president said. “We expect Russia to meet its commitment to cease all military activities in Georgia, and we expect all Russian forces that entered Georgia in recent days to withdraw from that country.”

Bush noted that Russia has damaged its relations with the U.S., Europe and other countries, and, “to begin restoring its place in the world,” the country “must keep its word and act to end this crisis.”