Second US Sea Shipment of Aid Arrives in Georgia
By VOA News
27 August 2008
A U.S. Coast Guard cutter carrying humanitarian aid to victims of Russia's military incursion into Georgia has arrived in the Georgian port of Batumi.
The arrival of the cutter Dallas Wednesday comes amid escalating tensions between Moscow and the West over the Russian incursion, and Moscow's recognizing the independence of two Georgian breakaway territories.
U.S. authorities say a U.S. Navy supply vessel will bring additional humanitarian aid to Batumi in the coming days.
Russia says it remains committed to a cease-fire deal in Georgia. A Kremlin statement says President Dmitri Medvedev stressed his country's commitment Wednesday in a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who criticized Russia's decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The Kremlin says the conversation focused on a provision in the French-brokered cease-fire that allows Russian forces to impose unspecified extra security measures on Georgian territory.
German officials say Ms. Merkel used the call to demand the immediate implementation of the cease-fire.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Minister David Miliband today visited Ukraine for talks on the crisis. Speaking in Kyiv, he said Russia has "a big responsibility" not to start a new Cold War.
Russian President Medvedev Tuesday ordered the government to establish diplomatic ties with the pro-Russian regions. He also extended formal Russian recognition of both states as independent entities.
The move drew criticism from Georgia, the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and NATO ambassadors, who urged Russia to reverse its decision. Georgian officials today said they are recalling all but two of their country's diplomats from Moscow.
Georgian troops moved into South Ossetia August 7, in a push to regain control of the rebellious territory. The move triggered a massive Russian response, with Moscow sending in tanks and thousands of troops, saying it had to protect Russian citizens.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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