US faults Russia for rising violence in Georgia

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gQYe039zkquHxitiI6u4M_TRr_BAD92F4I300

WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia's use of overwhelming military force against Georgia, including strategic bombers and ballistic missiles, is disproportionate to any threat from the former Soviet state and could escalate tensions in the volatile region, a senior U.S. official said Saturday.

The Bush administration official, who briefed reporters on condition his name not be used because of the sensitive nature of the situation, said Russia has attacked areas in Georgia that are far away from the separatist province of South Ossetia, where the fighting has centered. The official also said the Russian military is striking civilian targets.

"They have employed strategic bombers — the most potent air weaponry that is in the Russian arsenal .... They actually launched ballistic missile attacks on Georgian territory," the official said. He also said Russia has sent more than 1,000 paratroopers and armor into the region. snip

The U.S. official also scolded Moscow for stymieing attempts at mediation and refusing a cease-fire offer from Georgia.

"The Georgians have offered a cease-fire. The response by the Russians has been to step up the attacks, continue bombing civilians with strategic air assets and then to reject the notion of any international mediation at all — it's very difficult for us to understand that," the official said. "It is simply not acceptable that anyone would reject an offer of a cease-fire and a plea for international mediation."

[daleo]

1. The U.S. used B-52s in both Afghanistan and Iraq

A Bush official is in no position to lecture Russia on the matter, unfortunately. Any such protestations will be laughed at by the world now. I fear we are now on the slippery slope that we feared, when Bush invaded Iraq.

[bridgit]

2. Hollow words from an irrelevant admin