Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., August 16, 2008 Av 15, 5768 | | Israel Time: 21:28 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Rosner's Domain
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Comments:  14
Last update - 09:38 14/08/2008
Israel, U.S. send humanitarian aid to war-torn Georgia
By Haaretz Service and News Agencies
Tags: U.S, Israel, Georgia

U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday expressed concern over Russia's continued military action in Georgian territory, and said his administration would send humanitarian assistance to the embattled region.

Israel has also sent a shipment of humanitarian aid, in the first step of what it termed a broader aid effort. The aid, sent late Tuesday on a Georgian airline, consists of two respirators and seven EKG monitors.

In an official statement on Wednesday, Bush said that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would visit Tbilisi in a show of support for the Georgian government.
Advertisement

He also announced that a massive U.S. humanitarian effort was already in progress and would involve U.S. aircraft as well as naval forces.

A U.S. C-17 military cargo plane, loaded with supplies, already is on the way, and Bush said that Russia must ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, roads and airports, remain open to let deliveries and civilians through.

U.S. Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said later that a second
supply-laden C-17 was planned Thursday, and an assessment team was to arrive soon in Georgia to determine other needs. The Pentagon also is preparing to send the hospital ship, the USNS Comfort, if needed, although it would take weeks to get to the region.

The administration also will review what military help is needed for Georgia's now-shattered armed forces, Whitman said.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Bush said: "Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis."

Bush delivered the statement just after Russia said its forces had shot down two Georgian spy drones over the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali.

"One drone was downed last night and another was shot down earlier on Wednesday," a Russian defense ministry spokesman said. "Despite the assurances from the Georgian side that they have ended all military activities, Russian troops shot down a second Georgian drone over Tskhinvali earlier today."

Saakashvili: Bush pledge will help ease tensions

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said that Bush's pledge to send aid to Georgia meant that the U.S. military would take control of Georgia's ports and airports.

"You have heard the statement by the U.S. president that the United States is starting a military-humanitarian operation in Georgia," Saakashvili said in a television address.

"It means that Georgian ports and airports will be taken under the control of the U.S. defence ministry in order to conduct humanitarian and other missions. This is a very important statement for easing tension."

The Pentagon responded to Saakashvili's statement by saying the U.S. military had no plans to take control of the ports in order to bring in aid.

Related articles:
  • West appeasing Russia like it appeased Hitler
  • In the Georgian capital Tbilisi, only El Al planes dare to land
  • 'We've reached a safe haven,' say Israelis returning from Georgia
  • Israeli journalist seriously hurt in Georgia returns to Israel for treatment
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    IDF 'defeat' in Georgia
    Nasrallah says 'failed' IDF generals responsible for Georgia defeat in war.
    'We are one family'
    Miki Goldwasser says her family's goal is now to bring Gilad Shalit home.
      1.   I am willing to donate money to Georgia 21:55  |  Alex 13/08/08
      2.   Russia Must Take and Control Georgia Oil And Gas 22:16  |  Joseph.E 13/08/08
      3.   # 1 Alex 22:33  |  Joseph.E 13/08/08
      4.   Israel the Big Shot 23:00  |  Steven 13/08/08
      5.   If I lived in Taiwan 00:12  |  Dave Duncan 14/08/08
      6.   Charity by Israel and the US will wash away blame! 00:23  |  Maureen Ann 14/08/08
      7.   let discuss something really stupid 01:20  |  natan 14/08/08
      8.   Love those Humanitarians 01:38  |  maoriboy 14/08/08
      9.   this is a good one 01:58  |  ahmad abouali 14/08/08
      10.   Heart Breaking 01:59  |  BamBoo 14/08/08
      11.   MAUREEN Israel sends disaster aid all over.What do your friends 09:21  |  PETER SM 14/08/08
      12.   # 9 Peter SM..confused as usual 10:57  |  maoriboy 14/08/08
      13.   #11 PeterSM. Israel/US and lots of little parcels... 00:57  |  Maureen Ann 15/08/08
      14.   humanitarian humbug 10:22  |  Raymond Deane 15/08/08
     Read & React
    Nasrallah: 'Failed' IDF generals caused Georgia defeat in war
    Responses: 230
    Brenda Shaffer: By not aiding Georgia, Israel harming efforts on Iran
    Responses: 86
    Police admit 'turning blind eye' to settler violence
    Responses: 73
    Marwan Muasher: The Arab Peace Initiative still stands
    Responses: 130
    Georgian President: Russian barbarians plotted invasion, occupation for months
    Responses: 87
    Rosner's Domain
    What killed the campaign for Darfur?
    Better chances for a Lieberman VP?
    Poll: Who will be better as leader of the Kadima Party?
    Clooney wants more "balanced" Israel policy (WTR)


    More Headlines
    18:43 Russia signs cease-fire agreement with Georgia
    19:01 Head of World Congress of Russian Jewry accuses Georgia of genocide
    19:24 Barak slams push to cut defense budget for 2009
    11:25 IN DEPTH / The Russian empire strikes back
    17:53 'We are running out of time for a 2-state solution'
    14:23 Israeli envoy meets UNIFIL chief over praise for Hezbollah, censure for Israel
    11:36 Jewish World / Looking for love on Israeli Valentine's Day
    08:14 Haaretz newsletter: All the news from Israel direct to your inbox
    19:54 Lebanon expects full diplomatic ties with Syria within 2 months
    17:18 Two children, aged 9 and 14, drown off Israel's shore Friday
    16:03 Pop star, icon, and Kabbala aficionado Madonna turns 50
    17:52 British military helicopter makes emergency landing in Israel
    18:09 Cyclist killed in hit-and-run accident in Sharon region
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Isaac Maimon at Dreamshoppe
    Special summer sale. Make an offer now. You will be surprised.
    MBA in Israel in English
    APPLY NOW! Limited spaces available
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Yossi Avrahami Presents:
    New Luxurious Projects in North Tel Aviv & Eilat
    Your vacation starts here
    Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel
    Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved