The European Tribune is a forum for thoughtful dialogue of European and international issues. You are invited to post comments and your own articles.
Please REGISTER to post.
Statement from Senator Barack Obama in response to President Bush's announcement | August 13, 2008 "I welcome President Bush's decision to send aid to the people of Georgia, and Americans stand united in support of the men and women who will carry out this humanitarian mission. As soon as possible, we must follow this aid with broader reconstruction assistance, including emergency economic loans, to help the people of Georgia rebuild their lives and their economy. The situation is still unstable, and Russia must back up its commitment to stop its violence and violation of Georgia's sovereignty with actions - not just words.
"I welcome President Bush's decision to send aid to the people of Georgia, and Americans stand united in support of the men and women who will carry out this humanitarian mission. As soon as possible, we must follow this aid with broader reconstruction assistance, including emergency economic loans, to help the people of Georgia rebuild their lives and their economy.
The situation is still unstable, and Russia must back up its commitment to stop its violence and violation of Georgia's sovereignty with actions - not just words.
2 days ago he had this to say, apparently:
Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the Conflict in Georgia | August 11, 2008 "Good morning. The situation in Georgia continues to deteriorate because of the escalation of Russia's use of military force. I have spoken to President Saakashvili, and conveyed my deep regret over the loss of life, and the suffering of the people of Georgia. For many months, I have warned that there needs to be active international engagement to peacefully address the disputes over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, including a high-level and neutral international mediator, and a genuine international peacekeeping force - not simply Russian troops. No matter how this conflict started, Russia has escalated it well beyond the dispute over South Ossetia and invaded another country. Russia has escalated its military campaign through strategic bombing and the movement of its ground forces into the heart of Georgia. There is no possible justification for these attacks. (...) Going forward, the United States and Europe must support the people of Georgia. Beyond immediate humanitarian assistance, we must provide economic assistance, and help rebuild what has been destroyed. I have consistently called for deepening relations between Georgia and transatlantic institutions, including a Membership Action Plan for NATO, and we must continue to press for that deeper relationship.
"Good morning. The situation in Georgia continues to deteriorate because of the escalation of Russia's use of military force. I have spoken to President Saakashvili, and conveyed my deep regret over the loss of life, and the suffering of the people of Georgia.
For many months, I have warned that there needs to be active international engagement to peacefully address the disputes over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, including a high-level and neutral international mediator, and a genuine international peacekeeping force - not simply Russian troops.
No matter how this conflict started, Russia has escalated it well beyond the dispute over South Ossetia and invaded another country. Russia has escalated its military campaign through strategic bombing and the movement of its ground forces into the heart of Georgia. There is no possible justification for these attacks.
(...)
Going forward, the United States and Europe must support the people of Georgia. Beyond immediate humanitarian assistance, we must provide economic assistance, and help rebuild what has been destroyed. I have consistently called for deepening relations between Georgia and transatlantic institutions, including a Membership Action Plan for NATO, and we must continue to press for that deeper relationship.
I will go for the "shitstorm on dKos" diary now. Obama is sticking to the "Blame Russia" line, it's crazy. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
Waddevah you say missa bush. We gone. Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
A simple explanation of why the Russian "energy weapon" idea is not true would do wonders for easing some of the anxiety that makes people on Daily Kos think that the Russians are evil and must be destroyed.
Remember what I said about Obama opposing the Iraq war because he thought it was the wrong war, not because war is wrong. And the difference is lost on his supporters. Because they are afraid. And it's having the information why they needn't be afraid that allows them to escape that.
But, alas we are all kept in the dark, and forced to listen to stories of how Russia invaded Georgia, missung that vital part about Georgia's attack on South Ossetia. And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
I'd do it, but I'm at the end of my rope, in no mood to be polite. "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
I should write something up.
Like how European countries get excellent gas rates from Russia, and are set by long term contracts. And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
you are the media you consume.
- Jake Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.
Putin is at least reasonably competent. He does realpolitik. And he is aware of the consequences of his actions.
None of these things make me want to respect him.
No, but THEY did!
Never underestimate the shortness of American memory.
Orwell had something to say about forgetting history, but we've forgotten that too.
I wish I were kidding, but in essence it is true. The nature of television makes this forgetting possible, and the media exploits it in full. The Fates are kind.
by Frank Schnittger - Apr 23 3 comments
by gmoke - Apr 22
by Oui - Apr 25
by Oui - Apr 241 comment
by Frank Schnittger - Apr 233 comments
by Oui - Apr 238 comments
by Oui - Apr 222 comments
by Oui - Apr 22
by Oui - Apr 2111 comments
by Oui - Apr 21
by Oui - Apr 20
by Oui - Apr 192 comments
by Oui - Apr 197 comments
by Oui - Apr 18
by Oui - Apr 17
by Oui - Apr 162 comments
by Oui - Apr 1618 comments
by Oui - Apr 156 comments
by Oui - Apr 14
by Oui - Apr 145 comments