[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 32 (Monday, August 18, 2008)]
[Page 1128]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the Situation in Georgia

August 11, 2008

    I just met with my national security team to discuss the situation 
in Georgia.
    I am deeply concerned by reports that Russian troops have moved 
beyond the zone of conflict, attacked the Georgian town of Gori, and are 
threatening Georgia's capital of Tbilisi. There's evidence that Russian 
forces may soon begin bombing the civilian airport in the capital city.
    If these reports are accurate, these Russian actions would represent 
a dramatic and brutal escalation of the conflict in Georgia. And these 
actions would be inconsistent with assurances we have received from 
Russia that its objectives were limited to restoring the status quo in 
South Ossetia that existed before fighting began on August the 6th.
    It now appears that an effort may be underway to depose Russia's 
[Georgia's] * duly elected Government. Russia has invaded a sovereign 
neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its 
people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century.
    * White House correction.
    The Georgian Government has accepted the elements of a peace 
agreement that the Russian Government previously said it would be 
willing to accept: an immediate cease-fire; the withdrawal of forces 
from the zone of conflict; a return to the military status quo as of 
August 6th; and a commitment to refrain from using force. There are 
representatives of the European Union and the Organization for Security 
and Cooperation in Europe currently in Moscow seeking Russia's agreement 
to this peace plan.
    Russia's Government must respect Georgia's territorial integrity and 
sovereignty. The Russian Government must reverse the course it appears 
to be on and accept this peace agreement as a first step toward 
resolving this conflict.
    Russia's actions this week have raised serious questions about its 
intentions in Georgia and the region. These actions have substantially 
damaged Russia's standing in the world, and these actions jeopardize 
Russians' relations--Russia's relations with the United States and 
Europe. It is time for Russia to be true to its word and to act to end 
this crisis.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 5:21 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of these remarks.