US ambassador to Azerbaijan: "Russia's actions have threatened not only Georgia. They threaten the democratic aspirations of the region"

US Ambassador to Azerbaijan has released a statement on the situation in Georgia.

The statement reads:

The United States stands solidly with Georgia, and we fully support Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.  The visit of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Tbilisi last week underscores the strength of that support.  In addition, President Bush has announced a massive American relief and reconstruction effort that is being led by the U.S. Department of Defense.  The United States applauds Azerbaijan's support for Georgia, and we hope that other countries will similarly come forward to support Georgia in the wake of the Russian incursion.
 
Russia's response in Georgia was not the response of a well-intentioned peacekeeper. Russia's provocations seem clearly to have been aimed at redrawing the map of Georgia. The repair of key Russian military infrastructure as well as the rapid and disproportionate Russian use of force suggests that this incursion was a premeditated act.  Georgia is an independent and sovereign nation, and Russia must respect its democratic neighbor.

We call on Russia to comply fully with the terms of the ceasefire agreement that President Medvedev made with President Sarkozy.  The United States, our NATO allies are moving rapidly to address the humanitarian crisis that has resulted from this conflict.

Russia's actions have threatened not only Georgia.  They threaten the democratic aspirations of the region.  Sovereign nations like Azerbaijan and Georgia will chart their own course, which they have determined will include links to Europe and the West.  Russia must respect such decisions, made by democratically elected leaders.

Over the course of the past 15 years, this region has awakened, and the links with Europe, with Central Asia, with the broader international community have been strengthened.
 
These are not just physical links of oil and gas pipelines, but links of shared values, ideas and aspirations.  Russia should join the international community in welcoming the democratic development and prosperity of its neighbors. 
 
/Day.Az/