US ship steers clear of Georgian port

A US Embassy spokesman says plans have been cancelled to try to dock a military ship carrying humanitarian aid in the Georgian port of Poti, where Russian forces are posted on the outskirts.

The ship, the Coast Guard cutter Dallas, was to have arrived at the Black Sea port this morning.

But embassy spokesman Stephen Guice says the vessel instead will dock in Batumi, a port well south of the zone of fighting in this month’s war between Russia and Georgia.

Mr Guice said he did not have information on why the plan was changed.

Poti’s port reportedly suffered heavy damage from the Russian military.

In addition, Russian troops have established checkpoints on the northern approach to the city and a US ship docking there could have been seen as a direct challenge.