Caught off guard, Britain and US try to broker peace

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4493622.ece

Caught off guard, Britain and US try to broker peace

Tony Allen-Mills, New York

BRITAIN joined a diplomatic mission to Georgia last night to try to broker peace talks and call for a ceasefire.

America also launched diplomatic initiatives to end the war in South Ossetia yesterday but US officials privately indicated that the West had been surprised by Russia’s aggression and had few options for intervention.

David Miliband, the foreign secretary, described the fighting as “dangerously destabilising”. He added his voice to calls for a cessation of violence and called on both sides to hold peace talks.

A combined European Union, American and Nato mission was being sent to Georgia last night with Sir Brian Fall, Britain’s representative for the south Caucasus, as part of the team. Matthew Bryza, deputy assistant secretary of state, has also been dispatched as America’s special envoy but officials acknowledge that its options are limited.

Multimedia
Georgia-Russia conflict

The outbreak of fighting poses an unwanted headache for President George W Bush, who has been attempting to modify his warrior image with peace initiatives in the Middle East and elsewhere.

No one in Washington appears to have been paying sufficient attention to the Caucasus where Russian and Georgian forces have long been opposed in a stand-off.

The Pentagon maintains up to 200 military trainers in Georgia, which is now a close ally with troops in Iraq. But Bush has also been seeking Russian support for his efforts to halt Iran’s nuclear programme.

[Muttocracy]

1. glad to see he has his priorities straight. nt

[jwirr]

2. Maybe we are better off when he is ogling the girls. He isn't much

of a peace maker.

[Muttocracy]

3. I had kinda figured that's what his presidency would be like - didn't appreciate Cheney's

ability to do evil.