U.S. appeals to Russia's global standing

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. officials are warning Russia that it is harming its international standing by keeping fighting forces in Georgia in apparent violation of a cease-fire.

President George Bush announced the start of a humanitarian aid program in Georgia using U.S. military airplanes and ships, but officials said the effort includes only two scheduled flights and isn't intended to offer protection to Georgian ports or airports. He also dispatched Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on a diplomatic mission to Paris and Georgia's capital of Tbilisi to show "America's unwavering support."

The administration's response Wednesday came amid reports from local officials and witnesses that

Russian troops and armor pushed deeper into Georgian territory, apparently violating a Russian-dictated cease-fire agreement, The Washington Post reported Thursday. Russian officials said its actions were peacekeeping in nature to protect areas near South Ossetia, the breakaway pro-Russia region where the Georgian-Russian confrontation began Aug. 7.

Before leaving on the mission, Rice said times have changed and Russia cannot threaten a neighboring country "and get away with it."

The two major-party presidential candidates both support the administration's latest actions. Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama also called for re-evaluating U.S. and international agreements with Russia.