Bush Remarks Give Signal on Possible Steps to Isolate Russia

While they broke little new ground in the ongoing crisis, President Bush ’s early morning comments were intended to signal to the world - and particularly the new democracies of eastern Europe - that the U.S. stands with Georgia and its other endangered allies, White House aides said. The remarks also gave a window into the administration’s thinking on further steps it can take to isolate Russia in the international community. Bush repeated his veiled threat to push for Russia’s exclusion from major international organizations, saying that “only Russia can decide whether it will now put itself back on the path of responsible nations, or continue to pursue a policy that promises only confrontation and isolation.” Notably, Mr. Bush said that his administration is “working closely with our partners in Europe and other members of the G7 to bring a resolution to this crisis.” Seeking to exclude Russia from what is now the Group of Eight major economies is ... (link)