Bush: ‘Days of Satellite States’ Are Over

In a statement this morning at the White House, President Bush accused Russia of “bullying and intimidation” in its treatment of Georgia. Here is the text of his remarks. 8:13 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I’ve just received an update from my national security team on the situation in Georgia. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Tbilisi. She’s conferring with President Saakashvili and expressing America’s wholehearted support for Georgia’s democracy. She will be traveling to Crawford, where I will meet her and she will bring me up to date on what she has seen and what she heard in Georgia, as well as in Paris — I mean, in France. She did not go to Paris. Secretary of Defense Gates will keep me briefed on the humanitarian assistance to the people of Georgia. We’re working closely with our partners in Europe and other members of the G7 to bring a resolution to this crisis. The United States and our allies stand with the people ... (link)