    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [August 15, 2008]
    [Pages 1143-1144]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    August 15, 2008

        Good morning. For more than a week, the people of the nation of
    Georgia have withstood assault from the Russian military. The world has
    watched with alarm as Russia invaded a sovereign, neighboring state and
    threatened a democratic government elected by its people. This act is
    completely unacceptable to the free nations of the world.
        The United States and our allies stand with the people of Georgia
    and their democratically elected Government. We insist that Georgia's
    sovereignty and territorial integrity be respected. And Moscow must
    honor its pledge to withdraw its invading forces from all Georgian
    territory.
        Earlier this week, I directed a series of steps to demonstrate
    America's solidarity with the Georgian people and to help bring about a
    peaceful resolution of the conflict. On Thursday, Secretary of State
    Condoleezza Rice was in France, where she
    conferred with President Sarkozy about the
    diplomatic effort that the French Government is leading on behalf of the
    European Union.
        Yesterday she was in the Georgian
    capital of Tbilisi, where she conveyed America's support for Georgia's
    democratic Government. And next week, Secretary Rice will travel to
    Brussels, where she will meet with the foreign ministers of our NATO
    allies and EU officials to continue our efforts to rally the free world
    in defense of a free Georgia.
        Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is
    overseeing a mission by the United States military to provide
    humanitarian aid for the people of Georgia. In recent days, U.S. cargo
    planes carrying humanitarian supplies have arrived in Georgia. In the
    days ahead, we will continue using U.S. aircraft and other assets as
    needed to deliver more humanitarian and medical supplies. Russia has
    agreed to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance, and Russia must
    keep open all lines of communication and transport, including seaports,
    airports, roads, and airspace for civilian transit and the delivery of
    humanitarian assistance.
        Some Americans listening today may wonder why events taking place in
    a small country halfway around the world matter to the United States. In
    the years since it gained independence after the Soviet Union's
    collapse, Georgia has become a courageous democracy whose people are
    making the tough choices that are required of free societies.
        Since the Rose Revolution in 2003, the Georgian people have held
    free elections, opened up their economy, and built the foundations of a
    successful democracy. Georgia has sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq to
    help others achieve the liberty that they struggled so hard to attain.
    To further strengthen their democracy, Georgia has sought to join the
    free institutions of the West. The people of Georgia have cast their lot
    with the free world, and we will not cast them aside.
        Georgia's emergence as a young democracy has been part of an
    inspiring and hopeful new chapter in Europe's history. Europe has moved
    beyond the world wars that killed millions of people and the cold war
    that divided its citizens between two superpowers. For the first time in
    memory,

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    Europe is becoming a continent that is whole, free, and at peace. And it
    is essential that America and other free nations ensure that an
    embattled democracy seeking to stand with us remains sovereign, secure,
    and undivided.
        Russia's actions in Georgia raise serious questions about its role
    and its intentions in the Europe of the 21st century. In recent years,
    Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic,
    and security structures of the West. The United States has supported
    those efforts. Now Russia has put its aspirations at risk by taking
    actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those
    institutions.
        To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United
    States, Europe, and other nations and to begin restoring its place in
    the world, Russia must act to end this crisis.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:30 a.m. on August 15 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on August 16. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    August 15. In his address, the President referred to President Nicolas
    Sarkozy of France, in his capacity as President of the European Council.
    The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.