    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [September 3, 2008]
    [Pages 1173-1174]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Situation in Georgia
    September 3, 2008

        Last month, Russia invaded a sovereign neighbor and violated
    Georgia's territorial integrity. The people of Georgia withstood the
    assault from the Russian military, and the international community
    rallied to stand with the people of Georgia and their democratically
    elected Government.
        Early in the crisis, I directed a series of steps to demonstrate
    America's solidarity with Georgia, including instructing Secretary
    Gates to oversee a mission by the U.S.
    military to provide humanitarian aid for the people of Georgia. Since
    the conflict began, our Nation has provided nearly $30 million in
    humanitarian assistance to Georgia, including more than 1,200 tons of
    food and other relief supplies delivered by the U.S. military. While
    that mission continues, the United States is also prepared to help
    Georgia rebuild and regain its position as one of the world's fastest
    growing economies.
        On Monday, September 1, European leaders announced that the European
    Union is prepared to provide aid for reconstruction in Georgia,
    including the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and would soon
    convene an international conference to assist Georgia in its
    reconstruction. The United States applauds the actions taken by the
    European Union, and we will participate in the EU's reconstruction
    conference.
        As part of America's contribution to this international effort,
    today I am announcing $1 billion in additional economic assistance to
    meet Georgia's humanitarian needs and to support its economic recovery.
    More than half of these funds will be made available in the near term
    and will support reconstruction efforts in Georgia, assist the
    Government of Georgia in leading the nation's recovery, and meet ongoing
    humanitarian needs, including the resettlement of displaced families.
    The balance of the funds, together with assistance from the European
    Union and other partners, will help the Government of Georgia rebuild
    critical infrastructure and help local communities and businesses get
    back on their feet. My administration looks forward to working with
    Congress on elements of this package. The Vice President will brief Georgia's leadership on this package when he
    visits Tbilisi tomorrow.
        Today I have also directed a number of Federal agencies to expand
    their support for Georgia's economic recovery. U.S. Trade Representative
    Susan Schwab will take steps to expand trade
    and investment in Georgia, by negotiating an enhanced bilateral
    investment treaty and expanding preferential access to the U.S. market
    for Georgian exports. Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez will assist U.S. firms interested in trade and investment
    in Georgia and dispatch a trade mission to Georgia in the coming weeks.
    Secretary of Transportation Peters will make
    available risk insurance to support U.S. maritime commerce with Georgia.
    Secretary of the Treasury Paulson will
    continue to lead our efforts to coordinate assistance efforts with
    international financial institutions, and Secretaries Rice and Gates will
    continue to coordinate with our international partners to ensure that
    our aid is delivered swiftly to those who need it most.
        Georgia has a strong economic foundation and leaders with an
    impressive record of reform. Our additional economic assistance will
    help the people of Georgia recover from the assault on their country and
    continue to build a prosperous and competitive economy.

    Note: The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    version of this statement.

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