Biden Returns From Georgia; Pledges $1 Billion In Aid

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Just as speculation surrounding the identity of the Democratic vice presidential nominee hit fever pitch, Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) returned from war-torn Georgia late Monday and spoke strongly against Russia, while pledging to provide aid to Georgia.

"During my time in Georgia, I surveyed the human and geopolitical consequences of the conflict there firsthand. I visited a facility where some of the tens of thousands of Georgians who have fled the fighting are seeking refuge," Biden said in a statement, according to the Boston Globe.

"I left the country convinced that Russia's invasion of Georgia may be one of the most significant events to occur in Europe since the end of communism. The claims of Georgian atrocities that provided the pretext for Russia's invasion are rapidly being disproved by international observers," he added.

Biden, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, held talks with Georgian officials in Tbilisi, including President Mikheil Saakashvili, Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze and Parliamentary Speaker David Bakradze. He also conferred with U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Tefft and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Biden also sharply criticized Russia, saying the nation's actions "will have consequences [and]... have already erased the possibility of advancing legislative efforts to promote U.S.-Russian partnership in the current Congress."

The veteran lawmaker also said he would seek $1 billion in emergency assistance for Georgia, a former Soviet Republic invaded by Russian forces on Aug. 8. He expressed hope that the amount would be matched by the international community.

President George W. Bush announced last week that the United States was sending aid to Georgia using U.S. C-17 military aircraft.