Bush calls Georgia fighting 'unacceptable'

Published: Aug. 11, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Official G8 Summit photo in Japan

BEIJING, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush said Monday he has told Russian leaders the outburst of hostilities between Russia and Georgia is "unacceptable."

Bush was seen conferring with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during the opening ceremonies for the Olympic Summer Games.

"I said this violence is unacceptable -- I not only said it to Vladimir Putin, I've said it to the president of the country, Dmitry Medvedev," the U.S. president said in an interview with NBC Sports. "And, look, I expressed my grave concern about the disproportionate response of Russia and that we strongly condemn bombing outside of South Ossetia."

Bush added it was "just interesting to me that here we are trying to promote peace and harmony and we're witnessing a conflict take place."

Bush said he was "firm" with Putin, with whom he has "a good relationship." He said he hopes the dispute can be resolved peacefully.

"There needs to be a international mediation there for the South Ossetia issue," the U.S. president said.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Your Daily Horoscope (52 min)
The almanac
NBA: Phoenix 106, Orlando 103
NBA: LA Lakers 104, Minnesota 92
NHL: Dallas 3, San Jose 2 (SO)
NHL: Minnesota 2, Calgary 1 (OT)
COL BKB: Western Ky. 76, Vanderbilt 69
fark
What is best in life? To break into Dad's museum and steal $20M worth of paintings. Fark: with a...
Hawaiian man tries to euthanize his terminally ill wife by shooting her with buckshot. If he'd used...
Bird-shaped restaurant headed for auction. Owners not expecting to tern a profit, but admit they...
Town that is $8 million in debt: "You guys want a Christmas tree? Fine, there's one in the park...
I have no idea what you're talking about, so here's a picture of a man stroking frenzied tiger sharks...
You can't get an H1N1 shot because ... (shakes magic 8 ball) ... it's too cold to ship it anywhere...