Georgia v. Russia: “The 3 a.m. Phone Call is Real”

Real Clear Politics, Mona Charen, August 14, 2008:

It was a near perfect laboratory test — the sort that real life rarely provides until it’s too late — for how the two nominees for president would respond to an international emergency. (It also tested the current president — more on that in a moment.) Sen. Obama flunked. His first response was to urge restraint upon “both sides” — that is upon the rapist and the rape victim.

Of Note: For those with questions about this complex issue, the New York Times is taking questions and providing answers. It is also notable that some of the British press has an entirely different view: “This is a tale of US expansion not Russian aggression,” the UK’s The Guardian. On the other end of the spectrum is Charles Krauthammer. His column in today’s Washington Post: “How to Stop Putin” (posted at RealClearPolitics.com).

Here is the latest statement from John McCain (we didn’t get yesterday’s up, so I am posting that below):

“We Are All Georgians” | by John McCain
The Wall Street Journal | August 14, 2008

For anyone who thought that stark international aggression was a thing of the past, the last week must have come as a startling wake-up call. After clashes in the Georgian region of South Ossetia, Russia invaded its neighbor, launching attacks that threaten its very existence. Some Americans may wonder why events in this part of the world are any concern of ours. After all, Georgia is a small, remote and obscure place. But history is often made in remote, obscure places.

As Russian tanks and troops moved through the Roki Tunnel and across the internationally recognized border into Georgia, the Russian government stated that it was acting only to protect Ossetians. Yet regime change in Georgia appears to be the true Russian objective.

Two years ago, I traveled to South Ossetia. As soon as we arrived at its self-proclaimed capital — now occupied by Russian troops — I saw an enormous billboard that read, “Vladimir Putin, Our President.” This was on sovereign Georgian territory.

Russian claims of humanitarian motives were further belied by a bombing campaign that encompassed the whole of Georgia, destroying military bases, apartment buildings and other infrastructure, and leaving innocent civilians wounded and killed. As the Russian Black Sea Fleet began concentrating off of the Georgian coast and Russian troops advanced on one city after another, there could be no doubt about the nature of their aggression.

Despite a French-brokered cease-fire — which worryingly does not refer to Georgia’s territorial integrity — Russian attacks have continued. There are credible reports of civilian killings and even ethnic cleansing as Russian troops move deeper into Georgian territory.

Moscow’s foreign minister revealed at least part of his government’s aim when he stated that “Mr. Saakashvili” — the democratically elected president of Georgia — “can no longer be our partner. It would be better if he went.” Russia thereby demonstrated why its neighbors so ardently seek NATO membership.

In the wake of this crisis, there are the stirrings of a new trans-Atlantic consensus about the way we should approach Russia and its neighbors. The leaders of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Latvia flew to Tbilisi to demonstrate their support for Georgia, and to condemn Russian aggression. The French president traveled to Moscow in an attempt to end the fighting. The British foreign minister hinted of a G-8 without Russia, and the British opposition leader explicitly called for Russia to be suspended from the grouping.

The world has learned at great cost the price of allowing aggression against free nations to go unchecked. A cease-fire that holds is a vital first step, but only one. With our allies, we now must stand in united purpose to persuade the Russian government to end violence permanently and withdraw its troops from Georgia. International monitors must gain immediate access to war-torn areas in order to avert an even greater humanitarian disaster, and we should ensure that emergency aid lifted by air and sea is delivered.

We should work toward the establishment of an independent, international peacekeeping force in the separatist regions, and stand ready to help our Georgian partners put their country back together. This will entail reviewing anew our relations with both Georgia and Russia. As the NATO secretary general has said, Georgia remains in line for alliance membership, and I hope NATO will move ahead with a membership track for both Georgia and Ukraine.

At the same time, we must make clear to Russia’s leaders that the benefits they enjoy from being part of the civilized world require their respect for the values, stability and peace of that world. The U.S. has cancelled a planned joint military exercise with Russia, an important step in this direction.

The Georgian people have suffered before, and they suffer today. We must help them through this tragedy, and they should know that the thoughts, prayers and support of the American people are with them. This small democracy, far away from our shores, is an inspiration to all those who cherish our deepest ideals. As I told President Saakashvili on the day the cease-fire was declared, today we are all Georgians. We mustn’t forget it.

Read The Op-Ed.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008:

John McCain
Media Availability
Birmingham, MI
August 13, 2008

John McCain: “The situation in Georgia remains perilous. I am pleased by President Bush’s statement this morning, and I support the various steps he outlined including the dispatch of Secretary Rice to Georgia and Europe, the delivery of humanitarian supplies to Georgia by sea and air, and U.S. insistence on Russian compliance with the terms of the ceasefire, which includes the withdrawal of all of its military forces from Georgia. The President’s statement of support for Georgia at this time is of critical importance, not only to the Georgian people but to all countries that are closely monitoring Russian activities and actions.

“I welcome President Sarkozy’s mediation and that of the European Union. I am concerned that the ceasefire agreement omitted any reference to Georgia’s territorial integrity. And, it’s clear that Russia is continuing military operations against Georgian targets despite the agreement, including in areas far from South Ossetia. I am deeply disturbed by reports of looting, burning villages, and killings of civilians that are in areas under Russian control. Anyone committing human rights abuses or acts in violation of the laws of war should be held accountable.

“At a time of high energy prices and instability in global markets, it’s important to understand that events in Georgia — part of a strategic energy corridor — affects individual lives far beyond the Caucasus. Because of the fighting, the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline has been shut down at a time when the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is also closed. Those pipelines are critical for transporting oil from sources in the Caspian to points west.

“The United States has canceled a planned joint military operation with Russia, but we will now need to review the full range of our relations. With our NATO allies, we must address the future of the alliance’s relationship with Russia and with our G7 partners. We should discuss whether it makes sense for Russia to continue its participation in the G8. We’ll also need to review Russia’s aspiration for membership in the World Trade Organization.

“In addition, I urge discussions about an international peacekeeping operation, including canvassing nations for possible contributions to such a force. NATO should also begin anew, the discussions about a membership track for both Georgia and Ukraine. After the events of the past six days, no one should wonder why countries on Russia’s periphery so ardently seek the security guarantees that alliance membership represents.

“The situation in Georgia remains fluid and dangerous. As soon as possible, my colleagues Senator Lieberman and Senator Graham will be traveling to Georgia. They’re both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I hope that other members of the Armed Services Committee in the Senate and they will go together and receive an assessment of the situation and what we need to do in the future to avoid further escalation and also to protect the independence and freedom of the people of this brave democratic ally, the country of Georgia. Thank you.”

Watch John McCain’s Remarks

On Monday, we published “Updates on Georgia Crisis + John McCain’s Latest Detailed Statement [Update].”

On Sunday, we published “WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: John McCain “Prescient” On Russia And Putin.” On Saturday, Larry Johnson wrote “Obama’s Impending Pearl Harbor” — a must-read — and we have also published LisaB’s report, ““From Milk Toast Internationalist to Brave McCain-Like Warrior. . . In under 24 hours.,” “,” Saturday’s “John McCain’s Second Statement on the Crisis in Georgia,” and Friday’s original report, “McCain on Crisis in Georgia [Updates].”

OF NOTE: While this blog does not, and has no plans to, endorse John McCain for president, we continue to be impressed with his in-depth knowledge of the crisis in Georgia, and how very important it is to distinguish his statements from the single, vague statement by Barack Obama that any ignorant public relations person could have cobbled together!