Bush: Russia 'must act' to end crisis

CRAWFORD, Texas, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. President George W. Bush Saturday said Russia "must honor its pledge" to withdraw forces from Georgia.

In his weekly radio address, Bush called the Russian military action against Georgia an "assault."

"The world has watched with alarm as Russia invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatened a democratic government elected by its people," he said. "This act is completely unacceptable to the free nations of the world."

Bush pledged the United States and its allies would "stand with the people of Georgia and their democratically elected government."

"We insist that Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity be respected," he said. "And Moscow must honor its pledge to withdraw its invading forces from all Georgian territory."

The president told listeners events in Georgia "matter to the United States."

"In the years since it gained independence after the Soviet Union's collapse, Georgia has become a courageous democracy whose people are making the tough choices that are required of free societies," he said.

Bush said Russia put at risk its plans to "integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic, and security structures of the West."

"To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe, and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must act to end this crisis," he said.