US naval flagship to arrive in Georgian port despite Russian opposition

Opinion

Barry Artiste

And the Naval Race, Blockade and Chest Thumping begins as the US Navy arrives in the Port of Georgia.

Soon the Black Sea will resemble a flotilla of ships touring around playing chicken, looking at who will fire first. Certainly a bluster with nary a shot will be fired.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2008/09/05/6669671-ap.html

US naval flagship to arrive in Georgian port despite Russian opposition

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(Photo Inset) The USS Mount Whitney travels through the Bosporus strait in Istanbul, Turkey. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Murad Sezer

POTI, Georgia - The U.S. Embassy says the flagship of the U.S. Navy's Mediterranean fleet is to arrive in the Georgian port of Poti on Friday.

The Mount Whitney is the first US naval ship to travel to the port since Georgia fought a short war with Russia last month. Poti was bombed by Russian forces and several Georgian ships were sunk.

U.S. officials say the ship is bringing humanitarian aid for Georgians. Russia, however, is extremely wary about the presence of U.S. and NATO ships in the Black Sea region.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has vowed Russia will respond to the increased Western naval presence in the sea.