McClatchy Washington Bureau | 08/10/2008 | United States holds little leverage over Russia in Georgia conflict
McClatchy Washington Bureau | 08/10/2008 | United States holds little leverage over Russia in Georgia conflict
WASHINGTON — Even as it accused Russia of using "disproportionate" force in the conflict over Georgia's rebel South Ossetia province, the United States on Saturday found itself with few diplomatic or military options to deter Moscow's ferocious air and ground assault.
In fact, most of the key cards, including the power to veto any United Nations Security Council resolution, were held by Russia, which appeared to be using the crisis to ram home to the United State and its allies that it will not accept further expansion of NATO. Both Georgia and the former Soviet republic of Ukraine are seeking to join the alliance.
The Russian invasion "sends a message to all of the countries in the former Soviet space that Russia is resurgent and is willing to flex it muscles," said David Phillips, an expert with the Atlantic Council.
"This is Russia's assertion of power," said retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, a former top NATO commander.
President Bush, in Beijing for the Olympics, said U.S. officials were trying to arrange a cease-fire in contacts with Russian and Georgian officials. He urged Moscow to halt air strikes outside South Ossetia, the mountainous enclave that Georgian forces moved to seize Thursday from separatists backed by Moscow.
WASHINGTON — Even as it accused Russia of using "disproportionate" force in the conflict over Georgia's rebel South Ossetia province, the United States on Saturday found itself with few diplomatic or military options to deter Moscow's ferocious air and ground assault.
In fact, most of the key cards, including the power to veto any United Nations Security Council resolution, were held by Russia, which appeared to be using the crisis to ram home to the United State and its allies that it will not accept further expansion of NATO. Both Georgia and the former Soviet republic of Ukraine are seeking to join the alliance.
The Russian invasion "sends a message to all of the countries in the former Soviet space that Russia is resurgent and is willing to flex it muscles," said David Phillips, an expert with the Atlantic Council.
"This is Russia's assertion of power," said retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, a former top NATO commander.
President Bush, in Beijing for the Olympics, said U.S. officials were trying to arrange a cease-fire in contacts with Russian and Georgian officials. He urged Moscow to halt air strikes outside South Ossetia, the mountainous enclave that Georgian forces moved to seize Thursday from separatists backed by Moscow.
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