FTA:
“Russia has voiced suspicion of the arrival of the Mount Whitney and other U.S. warships carrying aid. It says U.S. military assistance in the past encouraged Georgia to launch its offensive in South Ossetia and argues the new shipments could be a cover for weapons deliveries.
U.S. officials dismiss those accusations, saying the ships are carrying only humanitarian supplies such as blankets and powered milk.
“There are absolutely no weapons of any sort on these ships,” said Capt. John Moore, commander of the Navy task force bringing aid to Georgia.
In an apparent reference to a $1 billion aid package for Georgia announced by Washington on Wednesday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sternly warned against providing more assistance to Georgia.
“We don’t want that Georgia, which acted as the aggressor, continues to arm itself in an uncontrolled way and with unknown aims and completely unclear consequences,” he said.
“It seems to me this is a lesson for the entire world community, including for those who make decisions to provide Georgia with extra financing and technical military cooperation,” Medvedev added, without specifying any nation.”
Tags: Eastern Europe, news
