Georgia asks Biden for Weapons, Observers

[jakeXT]

Source: CBS Associated Press

President Saakashvili Wants More U.S. Help Along Boundaries of Two Moscow-Backed Breakaway Regions


(AP) Georgia's president was expected to ask U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday for advanced weaponry and U.S. observers to monitor a cease-fire along the boundaries of two Moscow-backed breakaway regions.

President Mikhail Saakashvili also plans to urge Biden at a meeting in his presidential offices to push for NATO membership for Georgia, despite skepticism among some other members of the Western military alliance.

The White House has so far avoided making any public commitment on arms or observers, although it says it stands behind Georgia's application for NATO membership despite determined opposition from Russia.

Biden is on a four-day mission to Ukraine and Georgia to demonstrate U.S. support for the two countries, where Western-style democracies have struggled in the wake of peaceful revolutions.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/23/politics/main5181722.shtml

[dipsydoodle]

1. Georgia shouldn't be in NATO

until such time, if ever , its got a fairly elected government.

[rucky]

2. They need weapons to monitor a cease-fire?

mmmkay

[TheLastMohican]

3. The Dems should not follow the republican policy

of "Russia containment". If they do, that "reset" button will be sent to Clinton and Obama in a nice parcel.

Playing "empire" is nice when you have detroit autoworkers also employed.

[InfiniteThoughts]

4. sure ...

how about a package similar to Pakistan - $2 bn non-military and $2 bn military aid/year?

[Rebubula]

5. Well...In Georgia's Defense...

...Those folks from Alabama tend to be pretty aggressive.

[BlueMTexpat]

6. Saakashvili was encouraged to act as provocatively as possible towards Russia

by none other than that paragon of virtue, Dick Cheney. 'Nuf said.

[jakeXT]

7. Biden Delivers 'Tough Love' Message to Georgian Leaders

Vice President Says Russian Conflict Won't Be Solved With Militarization, Encourages Nation to Pursue Democratic Reforms

TBILISI, Georgia, July 23 -- Vice President Biden put off a request from Georgia for new defensive weapons on Thursday and told the nation's leaders they would never be able to use military means to recover territories lost in last year's war with Russia, a senior administration official said.


...

But a senior administration official, briefing reporters after the meeting on condition of anonymity, said Biden refused to commit to arms deliveries and instead argued that the Georgian military needed further training and non-materiel help.

"A key for Georgia here is the modernization of its military, building its capacities, and at this stage, it's not so much a matter of weaponry or military hardware," he said. The Pentagon will continue working to train the Georgian military "to hypothetically use some of the weaponry they desire," the officials said.

...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/23/AR2009072301541.html