ORLANDO (Florida): US President George Bush said on Wednesday that Russia must withdraw its forces from Georgia and that “the world must stand for freedom” in the former Soviet republic.

In a speech to a major US military veterans group, Bush underlined that Georgia had contributed troops to US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq “to help others realize the blessings of liberty.” “Georgia stood for freedom around the world. And now the world must stand for freedom in Georgia,” he told the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Bush hailed Georgia’s democratic shift since its 2003 “Rose Revolution” as “one of the most inspiring chapters of history” and warned that the West could not sit idle while fragile reforms came “under siege” by Moscow.

“The world has come together to condemn this assault,” he said, noting Nato criticism of Russia and repeated warnings from the West that it cannot do “business as usual” with Moscow in light of the offensive.

Nato “agreed that Russia must honour its commitment to withdraw its troops from Georgia and to return to the status quo before the hostilities began on August the 6th,” said Bush.

“The United States of America will continue to support Georgia’s democracy. Our military will continue to provide needed humanitarian aid to the Georgian people,” said the US president.

“South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia. And the United States will work with our allies to ensure Georgia’s independence and territorial integrity,” he said.—AFP