Russia seeking to topple Georgia's government, McCain alleges

Europe News

Aug 11, 2008, 15:14 GMT

Washington - Russia's military offensive is designed to oust Georgia's democratically-elected government and intimidate other former Soviet states seeking closer ties to the West, Republican presidential hopeful John McCain said Monday. 'This pattern of attack appears aimed not at restoring any status quo ante in South Ossetia, but rather at toppling the democratically- elected government of Georgia,' McCain told reporters on the campaign trail in Erie, Pennsylvania. The conflict that began last week escalated on Monday, as Russian troops in Georgian territory seized a military base outside the breakaway region of South Ossetia. The Georgian military entered South Ossetia last week to reclaim control over the territory, prompting a swift military response from Russia, which sent troops into South Ossetia to counter the Georgian offensive. Georgia has called for a ceasefire, but Russia has continued the assault with a series of attacks on Georgian soil and was reportedly preparing a second offensive in another separatist region, Abkhazia. 'That makes Russia's recent actions against the Georgians all the more alarming,' McCain said. 'In the face of Russian aggression, the very existence of independent Georgia and the survival of its democratically-elected government are at stake.' McCain, 71, read the statement to reporters, trying to show he is vastly more experienced on foreign policy issues than his Democratic rival Barack Obama, who also weighed in on the conflict by calling on both sides to show restraint. President George W Bush, attending the Olympics in Beijing, said he had spoken with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and told them the violence was 'unacceptable.' 'And, look, I expressed my grave concern about the disproportionate response of Russia and that we strongly condemn bombing outside of South Ossetia,' Bush told NBC television, a US network.

Talkback

Add your comment (no registration required)

page: 1

No to bushLiteAug 11th, 2008 - 15:36:02

After the hothead comments from McCain it's all too clear that we don't need another arrogant dweeb in the Whitehouse!

Report this comment

Where is Obama?Aug 11th, 2008 - 15:58:15

Where is Obama on this? Is he doing what the world expects? Hiding!!! Well the Russians are moving. First Georgia, then the Ukraine, and the final solution Europe.

My opinion on the action is this. The Georgians sent in troops into their own country to stop the violence the Russians would not stop. This does not mean the Georgians acted responsibly in their action, but it is their country. The Russians are trying to show the world they can be powerful against small nations and are using WAY to much power to stop the Georgians from controlling their own nation. Why, because they want to control all of Europe and this will scare all in Europe to close their eyes and run to the USA for HELP.

Cheese eating surrender monkey mentality is BAD. Diplomacy with results is GOOD. Inaction will result in the reversal of democracy and freedom. Action will slow the Russian take over of Europe

Report this comment

Bomb Bomb Bomb them allAug 12th, 2008 - 15:05:40

'...First Georgia, then the Ukraine, and the final solution Europe...'
Yeah right, this statement makes a whole lot of sense. After we nuke Iran let's go in to Russia and do some good old 'regime change'. Of course we don't have any money left to do any of these things, but China will surely lend us what we need.
Just how dumb do these neocons get?

Report this comment

page: 1

Add your comment (no registration required)

Europe

Russia seeking to topple Georgia's government, McCain alleges

Europe News

Talkback

Similar articles

Latest Headlines in Europe

Latest Articles on The Tech Herald

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print