Bush demands Russia quit Georgia

US president George W Bush said last night he is sceptical that Moscow is honouring a cease-fire in neighbouring Georgia, demanding that Russia end all military activities in the former Soviet republic and withdraw all its forces.

“The United States stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia and insists that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected,” Bush said during brief remarks in the White House Rose Garden.

“To demonstrate our solidarity with the Georgian people,” the president announced that he was sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Paris to assist the West’s diplomatic efforts on the crisis, and then to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. He also announced that a massive US humanitarian effort was already in progress, and would involve US aircraft as well as naval forces.

A US C-17 military cargo plane loaded with supplies is already on the way, and Bush said that Russia must ensure that “all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, roads and airports,” remain open to let deliveries and civilians through.

Defence Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said later a second supply-laden C-17 was planned today and an assessment team was to arrive soon to determine other needs. The Pentagon is preparing to send the hospital ship, USNS Comfort, if needed, though it would take weeks to get to the region.

The administration will review what military help is needed for Georgia’s now-shattered armed forces, Whitman said.