U.S. to Take Control of Georgian Ports: Saakashvili

[Hissyspit]

Source: Reuters

U.S. to take control of Georgian ports: Saakashvili

Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:07pm EDT

TBILISI (Reuters) - President George W. Bush's pledge to send aid to Georgia means that the U.S. military will take control of the ex-Soviet state's ports and airports, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Wednesday.

"You have heard the statement by the U.S. president that the United States is starting a military-humanitarian operation in Georgia," Saakashvili said in a television address.

"It means that Georgian ports and airports will be taken under the control of the U.S. defense ministry in order to conduct humanitarian and other missions. This is a very important statement for easing tension."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSLD49893320080813?fee

---

[0rganism]

1. "...to conduct humanitarian and other missions."

Call me squeamish, but for some reason, I don't like the sound of the "other missions." It's like saying you keep a really big knife in the kitchen for cutting up food and other stuff.

[RethugAssKicker]

2. WTF IS BUSH DOING???....He's starting WWIII !!!

Humanitarian effort my ASS !... This is a direct confrontation with Russia!

[kestrel91316]

4. Note the timing. This will blow up just in time to declare martial law

in the US and cancel the election.

[Lorentz]

13. Martial law. Cancel the elections. Martial law. Cancel the elections.

You guys are broken records. Grow up and get a life.

[BB1]

24. Have one.

Still think you guys will be under Martial Law. And we'll be in deep shit.

Grow up, get a life and obey.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lorentz]

39. So disagreeing with a paranoid delusion qualifies as being a freeper?

How very GOP of you. I'm about as liberal as anyone on this board -- I just don't get scared of shadows at every turn.

[kestrel91316]

53. If you're not afraid, at this point in the fascist takeover,

you're simply not paying attention. OR you stand to benefit from it.

[Mike Daniels]

57. He's right though

We've had major national crisis in the past and an election has never been cancelled.

You "martial law/election cancelled" types are broken records and I look forward to laughing at your idiocy when the election goes off like they always have since we've been a country.

[ohio2007]

44. this looks like a thread for an end of the year review nt

[katty]

49. yes, right on cue

[katty]

43. it sure looks like it--jingoism run amuck

[tnlurker]

3. This can't be a good idea

We are trying to provoke the Russians.

[DogPoundPup]

9. Yes. Yes we are ...

Using Georgia to target Russia
http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2008/08/using-georgia-to-target-russia.html

[katty]

46. yes, and they w/pull a Georgia is 'part of NATO' (defacto) -

this is really bad. and Putin won't back down.

[bluestateguy]

5. Here we go again, sticking our nose in other people's business

The neo-cons are like annoying next door neighbors who gossip, eavesdrop and meddle in things that are none of their business.

[dipsydoodle]

6. Sukkalargeone

and his fairy stories are the root of the problem IMHO.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

7. GET THAT OIL, GEORGE

OIL IS AT THE ROOT OF ALL RECENT WARS.

[bdab1973]

8. We aren't...lost in translation...

Apparently the translation of our intent wasn't very accurate. The Dept of Defense stated that the US is NOT taking over control of ports or airfields, just that we were insisting that those ports and airfields stay open and not be denied by the Russians. Sounds as though the Georgian president misinterpreted the words.

[dipsydoodle]

10. He is deliberately inflaming the situation.

His english is perfect - he doesn't make mistakes like that other than by malicious intent.

[stevil]

14. Not to be all Star Wars about this but....

I've got a bad feeling about this. I won't accuse the US of anything more than posturing to try to create some political capital but I can see how they are starting to give in to the Georgian presidents manipulation. Bottom line is that the situation is not being handled in a 21st century way of thinking and it I hope that tensions don't escalate. BTW, while I was typing this McCain said that in the 21st century nations don't invade nations - I can't believe this.

[InternalDialogue]

19. He went to Columbia University and George Washington University

How would he "misinterpret" a language he knows so well?

[Dr.Phool]

50. He says he talks to McCain every day, and McCain told him.

Just what kind of shit were they filling this guy's head with?

If McCain, and his Georgia lobbyist can't get a terrorist attack to help him out, maybe provoking a Russian invasion will.

[AllexxisF1]

11. OMFG

OMFG WTF!!!!!!!


Why isn't U.N. Peace keepers doing this mission and NOT U.S. FORCES!!!!

He is putting American lives in a damn war zone that was provoked by the Geogians themselves.


Holy Fucking shit they really do want to start world war fucking 3.


ARE YOU FUCKING HAPPY NOW PELOSI!

[Winterraven]

17. well, since

youre obama fan, belive me, he would do the same....

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[chatnoir]

36. Willkommen!

:hi:

Welcome to DU

[WriteDown]

21. The UN?

They must all be tied up in Darfur.

[dixiegrrrrl]

56. good snark

[pampango]

26. Russia has a veto on the Security Council. Something tells me they won't allow

UN peacekeepers in Georgia to protect against a Russian attack.

[chatnoir]

37. Exactly

Hence the stalemate at the UN security council emergency sessions all these days ....

[Ghost Dog]

60. Because the US vetoed such UN action. n/t

[Mist]

12. How is this supposed to "ease tensions" exactly? nt

[MnFats]

15. another post on this page reports sinking of Georgian ships in port by Russians...

WTF!!!
this is getting worse by the hour.
I feel like stocking up on water and nonperishables.

what the living hell are we doing????

[ohio2007]

45. Settle down Francis

imo,
China is watching events closely.

Not saying they are a wild card but,

What is the official talking points on this issue from olympic city ?


They claim that they have arrived

[maddezmom]

16. Pentagon says no plans to control Georgia ports

Pentagon says no plans to control Georgia ports 13 Aug 2008 17:41:34 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds more quotes, background)

WASHINGTON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Wednesday it did not plan to take control of Georgian airports or ports as part of an aid mission, apparently contradicting a statement by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.

"We are not looking to, nor do we need to, take control of any air or sea ports to conduct this mission," Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said.

In a television address, Saakashvili said an announcement by President George W. Bush of U.S. aid for victims of Georgia's conflict with Russia meant ports and airports would be taken under the control of the U.S. defense ministry.

"That is not our understanding of the situation," Morrell said. "What we are focused on at this point is getting humanitarian relief to the people who need it in Georgia."

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N13442588.htm

[amandabeech]

27. Perhaps Saakashvili is right. Perhaps he has upped the rhetoric to help his political situation.

He needs to show the voters that the U.S. WILL come to their rescue. Otherwise they might throw him out after the shooting is over.

On the other hand, the Pentagon and the U.S. have to play this down in order to give the Russians a way to save face. The Russians can back down slowly drift back into their original positions under the excuse that they are accommodating humanitarian missions and that they have made their point.

However, the Russian comment about choosing between them and the "Georgian Project," if it came after the Pentagon announcement, and I'm not sure, would show that they didn't take the bait or didn't understand the game. In either case, they backed themselves up against the wall needlessly, and now look light the jilted lover to the U.S. Not a dignified position from which to retreat.

This is just not looking good.

[Trillo]

18. How can we afford this?

I mean afford as in cost? Who's going to pay? The U.S. citizen who's lost their jobs to overseas labor and are homeless, who doesn't have health insurance, who's lost the value of their homes so a few rich banking corporations can balance their books, who's spent nearly a trillion in Iraq?

How, how can we possibly afford this "humanitarian" effort? I always read that "charity" began at home. How about some charity for the Katrina folks. How about ending homelessness, permanently. How about healthcare for everyone?

No. We must protect foreign ports, we must police the globe, and the taxpayer must pay for it. KaChing....$$$...$$$...$$$.

No wonder corporate doesn't pay hardly any taxes according to the GAO. They're not fools. Only "little people" pay taxes.

[daleo]

22. Saakashvili is definitely a loose cannon

Imagine having a leader like this as a NATO ally, who could drag the entire world into WWIII on a whim.

[Demeter]

32. He Fits Right In At BushCo, Though

Saakashvili is bucking for a promotion to president of the Georgia subsidiary.

[bemildred]

54. Somebody needs to tell him he is going to have to stick it out in Georgia.

No getting out on the last helicopter.

[Wizard777]

23. Crap! I hope they understand that to Bush Humanitarian Mission means bombing them for three days.

At least if our "humanitarian mission" in Iraq is any indication.

[amandabeech]

28. We'll just have to see what happens.

Duck and cover, everyone, and get out your copy of "Dr. Strangelove."

My essence is pure!

[DogPoundPup]

25. All Prez wannabe, McCain's fault!

John McCain says he's talking to Saakashvili every day. What's he telling him? Is he confusing the situation?
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/208356.php

[AnnieBW]

30. I've got a bad feeling about this, Chewie...

This is bad.

[Ian David]

35. John Edwards cheated on his wife.

Isn't that more important?

[Andy Canuck]

31. Insane.

[Ian David]

34. Bush and Mccain really really REALLY want to destroy the world for Jesus before January 20th. n/t

[bobd0]

40. Welcome back to The Cold War everyone.

Nice going, Georgie. Another feather in your cap.


The political cartoon from my morning newspaper:

[ohio2007]

41. Russians move 2 SS-21 Tactical Nuke Ballistic Missile Launchers into South Ossetia

The reporter brings it up at the 7:45 mark in the video;
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d43_1218582627

Take it with a grain of SALT II,
the msm will be cautious and want to see satellite pics before running this one ! The missiles may be conventional armed of course.

http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/articleslideshow?articleId=USLD49893320080813&channelName=politicsNews#a=1

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[clarence swinney]

47. 2000 Nuclear Warheads

Hit America by midnight tonight

200 ICBM
7 stories underground
10 nukes each
Pentagon admits cannot be stopped once in flight

Have Fun

[Karenina]

55. CLARENCE!!! How you be?!?!

Are we having FUN yet? ;-)

[clarence swinney]

48. Russia to take over Cuba

Ports and Defense.

So!

[Dead_Parrot]

51. Well, there goes the neighborhood.

It will be interesting to see what the Russian response will be, but somehow I doubt it will include a big "Welcome, Friends!" banner and a ticker-tape parade.

I hope you weren't planning on winning any elections this year - I think they just got canceled.

[HuffleClaw]

52. he doesn't have even the slightest comprehension of the situation

ALL he had to hear was 'russia' and that was that.

also they ('they' being the republicans) will do ANYTHING to take attention away from the coming democratic convention and coronation of obama. ANYTHING.

Iran next

[skoalyman]

58. dang I'm gonna have to look for info online on how to construct a bomb shelter

I have a dirt basement guess I better get to diging:nuke: :shrug:

[TaffyMoon]

59. Idiot Bush never met a war he didn't like.

Didya know the Israeli's have been training the Georgian military?