Georgia and Russia: The next step

Combat may have ceased in Georgia, but in Chris Dodd's (D-Conn.) view only one aspect of the conflict has been resolved.

"There are two ways to undermine, if not topple a democratic government. Either militarily, or by crushing and strangling the economy to make life so miserable, the mandate of the government comes into question," Dodd said today during a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the consequences of Russia's August invasion.

"Many expert observers believe that having failed in the first approach Russia now seems to have shifted towards the second."

Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns addressed the committee's concerns over the future of Georgia and Russia, the steps the Bush administration has taken, and the implications of the invasion that are still unfolding.

"We and our European partners have made clear there will be no business as usual with Russia... For our part the administration has withdrawn the 123 agreement on civil nuclear cooperation with Russia and suspended US-Russian bilateral military programs," said Burns.

Questions were raised over the humanitarian response in Georgia. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) described how President Bush initially said that the Department of Defense would be head the effort which was contradicted when Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said responsibility fell on the State Department.

"It's a combined effort...the Defense Department took the early lead in moving humanitarian supplies to Georgia which was a natural step to take...but over time we have seen the state department taking the lead under Undersecretary Reuben Jeffrey and working with the Georgians to work on a long term plan for reconstruction," replied Burns.

The committee also discussed whether there were any warning signs or actions that could have been taken to avoid hostilities.

"I honestly don't think so. This is a crises and a set of tensions that has been building for some time...there were mistakes and miscalculations on all sides. We worked very hards both with the Russians and the Georgians government to urge restraint," said Burns.