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Biden Meets With Saakashvili, Pledges American Support
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ShareSeptember 26, 2008 2:17 PM
ABC News' Matthew Jaffe reports: Sen. Joe Biden met with Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili Friday in Milwaukee, pledging American support for Georgia and promising not to "let the intentions of the Russian government to bring down the democratically-elected government" of Georgia.
Biden and Saakashvili met privately for about 45 minutes, but, despite an Associated Press report to the contrary, members of Biden's traveling press pool were in fact permitted in for a five-minute portion beforehand, giving reporters a chance to hear from the two long-time friends.
"We're old friends, we've known each other for some time," said Biden. "Before President Saakashvili was president, we knew one another and we had been in close contact before and during and after Russia tried to topple a democratically-elected government."
In the midst of rampant speculation that he was about to be named as Sen. Barack Obama's running mate, Biden traveled to the war-torn region in early August.
"When the invasion was taking place, I spoke to the president and asked whether I could come to Tbilisi and I was happy to do that and thought it was important to show American solidarity and support. We will not let, we will not let the intentions of the Russian government to bring down a democratically-elected government."
Biden said that he assured Saakashvili over dinner in the Georgian capital that the United States would "make a considerable commitment in the economic well-being and stability in Georgia."
The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee warned that the Russian invasion was also aimed at intimidating other former Soviet bloc countries.
"The intent was to also intimidate the entire former Soviet Union, as the Americans think of it, independent countries all along the border," he said.
A grateful Georgian leader thanked Biden for his trip at such a vital time.
"You flew all the way through a lot more than half of the world to the city that was being bombarded at that moment," said Saakashvili. "It was a very, very, very great decision of yours and in the middle of the whole presidential expectations surrounding you - vice-presidential expectations - and still basically you came straight into the middle of the conflict and did something that was very brave of you. And very few people would have done that. And I certainly will not forget that. And my people are not going to forget it. And we will never forget your solidarity and generosity."
"I think what is important is that you understand so well what is at stake for America, for freedom, for democracy, for your interests as well as for the values that America has and for which America is so respected," continued the Georgian president. "I think we have lots of generosity and solidarity from American people and worldwide, lots of sympathy, but you were the first one to come up with a very concrete program of what should have been done in that very complicated situation."
Biden emphasized that Russia must "pay a price" for their actions.
"What we've been talking about and what we'll continue to talk about is our effort to see to it that they do not succeed," concluded Biden. "It's important Russians pay a price for what they've done."
"I'm really proud to call you my friend and to call you a friend of my people, my region," stated Saakashvili.
September 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (26)
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Posted by: Sweejak | Sep 27, 2008 4:11:21 AM
This Saakashvili is a loser.
There is intense pressure on
him to step down voluntarily.
All opposition parties in
Georgia want him gone. They
want to remain non-aligned.
They want closer ties with
Russia. They are rejecting a
military alliance with NATO.
They want economic integration
with EU.
Posted by: anon | Sep 27, 2008 12:26:45 PM
historyforgotten err remembered...McCain lied during debate???? Back it up...
Henry Kissingher believes Barack Obama misstated (lied) his views on diplomacy with US adversaries and is not happy about being mischaracterized. He says "Senator McCain is RIGHT. I would not recommend the next President of the United States engage in talks with Iran at the Presidential level. My views on this issue are entirely compatible with the views of my friend Senator John McCain. We do not agree on everything, but we do agree that any negotiations with Iran must be geared to reality."
MSNBC...GEEZ they have already been called on the carpet for unfair reporting slanting toward Obama...
YES...WATCH THE DABATES AGAIN..
Posted by: curious indep | Sep 27, 2008 4:00:47 PM
"This Saakashvili is a loser."
In a remarkable statement for the president of any country Medvedev has claimed Saak is a drug addict.
Make of it what you will.
Recent polls indicate that only 22% of Ukraine citizens want to join NATO. Why is the US pushing a military alliance on people who don't want one? I wonder how many Europeans want UK and GE to be in NATO, or are they even asked?
More democrazy.
What happens when Ukraine elects a "pro- Russian" president?
Posted by: Sweejak | Sep 27, 2008 4:07:29 PM
Do you know why WALL STREET is doing so good. McCain and the Smiling Senate Members sold your children. A DRAFT is coming. Watch CNN and MSNBC for more. ABC and FOX are Bought out
By GOLDMAN SACHS. Look at the Senators who are smiling for the press.
Looks like a GREEDY Smile. Sold to the cheapest bidder. So Tax money can start again. Ain't gonna happen. :)
Bruce and Mannie Dalis--Correct Spelling
Micro Computers--- Mc
Thank you girls for the correct spelling
of PAC's contributers.
Mannie...is that like Fannie. mmmmm
:) Thanks GOLD MAN SUCKS.
Lose lips, sink Weapons of Mass Destruction
No To WALL STREET
Posted by: historyremembered | Sep 28, 2008 5:36:17 AM
Interesting that the posts with well crafted sentences, proper spelling, and a scarcity of references to entertainment television all seem to be skeptical if not cautionary about involving ourselves in what is patently an encroachment on Russia's borders, flagrantly breaking Reagan's promises to Gorbachev (as the Bush administration has shown contempt for any treaty obligation that stood in their way) and noticing that Russia's readiness for the Georgian attack is easy to understand, given the low-level sniping of over a month previous, including shutting off the water supply!
How, Mr. McCain, how, Mr. Obama, Mr. Biden (I won't trouble the young lady from Alaska about it) is it OK for NATO to use force to pry Kosovo away from Serbia, Kosovo the heart and soul of Slavic Orthodox tradition back to Cyril and Methodius, but Alans and Russians in Ossetia and Abkhazia have no right to independence from Georgia to whom they were given by Stalin, the Georgian?
Posted by: ProudPrimate | Sep 29, 2008 2:52:26 PM
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