WASHINGTON PLEDGE:WASHINGTON - President Bush yesterday ordered the American military to deliver humanitarian aid to Georgia and said Russia "must keep its word" and end the crisis with the US ally.
Mr Bush, who spoke to Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili earlier in the day, also said he was sending US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, to Tbilisi to show US support for the Georgian government.
"The United States of America stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia. We insist that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected," Mr Bush told reporters in the White House Rose Garden.
Mr Bush's pledge to send aid prompted Mr Saakashvili to claim on TV that the offer meant that the US military would take control of the country's ports and airports,
"You have heard the statement by the US president that the United States is starting a military-humanitarian operation in Georgia," he said. "It means that Georgian ports and airports will be taken under the control of the US defence ministry in order to conduct humanitarian and other missions. This is a very important statement for easing tension."
But the Pentagon responded that it meant nothing of the kind. "We are not looking to, nor do we need to, take control of any air or seaports to conduct this mission," Pentagon press secretary, Geoff Morrell, said. A C-17 aircraft with humanitarian supplies was on its way to Georgia, and in the following days the US will use military aircraft and naval forces to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies, Mr Bush said earlier, flanked by Ms Rice and defence secretary, Robert Gates.
"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," he said.
The US expects Russia to stop all military activities in Georgia and withdraw forces that entered in recent days from that country, Mr Bush said. "Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis," he added.
German chancellor Angela Merkel has said she plans to travel to Georgia next week for talks on forging a long-lasting peace.