WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration will announce on Wednesday an aid package of more than $1 billion to help Georgia rebuild after its war with Russia over the separatist enclave of South Ossetia last month, U.S. officials said.
The aid was to be unveiled as Vice President Dick Cheney began a trip to the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine designed to show U.S. support for its allies in the region despite Russia's military intervention.
Moscow sent tanks and troops into Georgia last month to crush the Georgian government's attempt to reassert control over South Ossetia.
Russia's action, and its subsequent recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another breakaway Georgian region, as independent states has drawn condemnation from the West but few tangible actions to punish Moscow.
Sources familiar with the U.S. aid package said it was expected to total about $1.07 billion for reconstruction, with $570 million to be disbursed this year and $500 million subsequently. None of the money is expected to go for military aid, a highly sensitive issue to Moscow, the sources said.
A significant proportion would be devoted to budget support as well as to rebuild housing, transportation and other infrastructure destroyed in the conflict, one source said.
The White House plans to approach the campaigns of Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain to seek their commitment to continue the assistance after President George W. Bush leaves office on January 20, the sources said.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was scheduled to announce the aid package Georgia and Bush was to issue a statement about it.
I am getting tired of stunts like this. Why the fuck should we fork over a billion dollars to aide Georgia, when we can't even afford our own expenses? How come we don't force Russia to pay for the damages they've made in Georgia's country?
These asshole Republicans have no problem sending our money overseas and helping other countries but we can't give money to our own citizens to help them. We seem to care more about other countries than we do our own. Isn't this fucking sad? Fuck the other countries! Fuck the Republicans! You assholes are going to have your asses handed to you in November.
1 comment:
Sadly, there are Dems that support sending a monetary care package to Georgia as well. I do believe that before we dole out money to other countries/nations that we look into taking care of our American citizens who need assistance. Namely, those who can not afford health insurance and often suffer and die as a result of being poor...schools that do not have computers which would allow their students to learn about the basics of computers...the homeless of America...our veterans that do not receive the necessary treatment they need...and so many other areas where money spent over seas could benefit the lives of our own citizens.
Post a Comment