U.S. repeats call for Russia to stand down
Posted: Monday, August 11, 2008 11:17 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
Security
From NBC’s Libby Leist
The U.S. is continuing to try to find a diplomatic solution to the fighting between Russia and Georgia. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made 50 calls over the weekend, her spokesman said, and this morning the U.S. is again calling for the Russians to stand down and accept a ceasefire. [UPDATE: State now says Rice has made 90 calls.]
"We want to see the Russians stand down and to stop attacks on Georgia,” spokesman Robert Wood told reporters. “Most importantly, we want to see an immediate ceasefire. I understand that the Georgians have offered to be party to a ceasefire, the Russians have not responded."
Wood defended Rice for not flying to the region to personally intervene in the crisis by saying she has been working through the weekend and has all the modern technology available to mediate from afar.
In her place, Rice dispatched a lower-level State Department official, Matthew Bryza, to the region to participate in the international efforts to bring about a ceasefire. He left last night.
Wood said the U.S. would continue to try to push for a "strong resolution" condemning Russia in the Security Council, but that seems unlikely given Russia's status as a permanent member of the council.
Tomorrow, French President Sarkozy is expected to begin shuttle diplomacy between Georgia and Russia to help bring about an end to the fighting. France holds the Presidency of the European Union this year.
