US pledges 1 billion dollars in aid for Georgia

Europe News

Sep 3, 2008, 18:37 GMT

Washington - The United States will provide 1 billion dollars in humanitarian aid to Georgia following the Russian invasion of the former Soviet Republic, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday. 'Georgia's needs are great, especially its economic needs,' Rice said. 'The free world cannot allow the destiny of a small independent country to be determined by the aggression of a larger neighbour.' The aid will help support ongoing humanitarian relief efforts and reconstruction and buoy the economy. It is not military assistance, Rice said. Three US warships have arrived in Georgia since the conflict erupted last month to deliver humanitarian supplies. The US Air Force and Navy have been flying aid into the country. Rice reiterated US calls for Russia to comply with an August 11 ceasefire agreement brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and to withdraw its troops back into the disputed Georgian breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. 'It's high time that Russia meet its obligations to the ceasefire,' Rice said. South Ossetia was the source of the conflict that began August 6 when the Georgia government sent in troop to quell attacks by separatists militias. Russia responded with a large military attack deep into Georgia and fighting quickly spread to Abkhazia. The Russian assault has brought relations with the West to the lowest point since the end of the Cold War, and the United States and European Union have said the Kremlin will face consequences. 'Frankly, Russia's done itself in on this,' Rice said. The European Union has hinted at possible sanctions against Russia, and the White House has said it is weighing whether to pull a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Moscow from congressional consideration.

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MyChineseGrandmasterSep 3rd, 2008 - 18:58:56

CHINA should block this.

We will NOT loan the united states another billion of their sacking dollars so that they in turn can 'offer' Georgia' a billion dollars in aid.

Isn't this what you americans call 'robbing peter to pay paul' or in this case 'loaning from CHINA to offer aid to Georgia' this....is just ridiculous.

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MyChineseGrandmasterSep 3rd, 2008 - 18:59:30

CHINA should block this.

We will NOT loan the united states another billion of their sacking dollars so that they in turn can 'offer' Georgia a billion dollars in aid.

Isn't this what you americans call 'robbing peter to pay paul' or in this case 'loaning from CHINA to offer aid to Georgia' this....is just ridiculous.

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billSep 3rd, 2008 - 21:14:18

i will remember chinesegrandfather's comments when the russian's annex manchuria

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What the hell?Sep 4th, 2008 - 06:27:51

With what money? This goddamn administration is forgetting we have a huge budget deficit? Not to mention an enormous trade deficit? Fuzzy math again?

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US pledges 1 billion dollars in aid for Georgia

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