McCain Calls for Russia to Pull Out of Georgia


By Michael D. Shear, Washington Post
August 8, 2008

Article Excerpts:

DES MOINES -- Sen. John McCain called on Russia to immediately withdraw its military forces from the republic of Georgia and said the U.S should request a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in the wake of the escalating violence between the two countries.

"Russia should immediately and unconditionally cease its military operations and withdraw all forces from sovereign Georgian territory. What is most critical now is to avoid further confrontation between Russian and Georgian military forces," McCain said.

The Republican nominee made an impromptu statement on the situation on the airport tarmac in Des Moines before heading to the Iowa State Fair for an afternoon of campaigning.

His full statement is below:

"The news reports indicate that the Russian military forces crossed an internationally recognized border into the sovereign territory of Georgia. Russia should immediately and unconditionally cease its military operations and withdraw all forces from sovereign Georgian territory. What is most critical now is to avoid further confrontation between Russian and Georgian military forces. The consequences of Euro-Atlantic stability and security are grave. The government of Georgia has called for a cease fire and for resumption of direct talks on South Ossetia with international mediators. The U.S. should immediately convene an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to call on Russia to reverse course. . . .

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