The Russians are poised outside of the port of Poti:
Russian forces took up positions Thursday at the entrance to Georgia's main Black Sea port city of Poti, excavating trenches, setting up mortars and blocking a key bridge with armored personnel carriers and trucks. Another group of APCs and trucks were positioned in a wooded area nearby.
And we are moving ships, I assume, to that port:
In a move sure to heighten tensions, a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer loaded with humanitarian aid was heading to Georgia.
It was the first of three U.S. Navy ships that will carry supplies such as blankets, hygiene kits and baby food to Georgia. Paul Farley, a spokesman for the Souda Bay U.S. naval base in Crete, said all three ships were expected to reach Georgia "within the next week." He did not give their exact destination. "
Recall that President Bush promised aid by air and sea. We sent in the Air Force planes already. Now the ships are going in.
With Russians stalling on their promised withdrawal, I imagine our move is an attempt to instill a sense of urgency in the Russian withdrawal process. And to gradually insert our presence into the country to keep Russia from restarting the war and taking over the whole country.
Or will Russia declare a "quarantine" of Georgia and attempt to string out this crisis by standing in our ships' way?
