Truthout roundup 8/14

US issues "strongest warning yet" to Russia, sending troops in as attempted cease-fire fails; missile strike attributed to US kills nine along Afghan-Pakistan border; US army deserter seeking refugee status in Canada is deported; Katrina vanden Heuvel writes on the home heating crisis; three female aid workers killed in Afghanistan; and more ... Browse our continually updating front page at http://www.truthout.org

t r u t h o u t 08.14

US Troops in Georgia; Russia Not Backing Down
http://www.truthout.org/article/us-troops-georgia-russia-not-backing-down
Ellen Barry and C.J. Chivers, The New York Times: "President Dmitri Medvedev of Russia on Thursday said that Russia would act as an international guarantor of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the two pro-Russian enclaves at the center of the crisis that have long desired separation from Georgia. As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice headed to the region for discussions on the crisis and to show support for Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, the Russian position seemed to be a direct challenge to President Bush who said a day earlier that he 'insists that the sovereign and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected'.... On Wednesday, the United States and Georgia called the Russian advances into Gori and another strategic Georgian city a violation of the cease-fire agreement struck only hours earlier. In response, Mr. Bush sent American troops to Georgia to oversee a 'vigorous and ongoing' humanitarian mission, in a direct challenge to Russia’s display of military dominance over the region. Mr. Bush demanded that Russia abide by the cease-fire and withdraw its forces or risk its place in 'the diplomatic, political, economic and security structures of the 21st century.' It was his strongest warning yet of potential retaliation against Russia over the conflict."

Suspected US Missile Strike Kills Nine in Pakistan
http://www.truthout.org/article/suspected-us-missile-strike-kills-nine-pakistan
Laura King, The Los Angeles Times: "In what could herald an intensified U.S. campaign against Islamic insurgents in Pakistan's tribal areas, a suspected American missile attack killed at least nine people near the Afghan border, local officials said Wednesday. It was not immediately known whether any senior insurgent figures were among the dead, but officials in the South Waziristan tribal region said those killed included 'foreigners,' often used to mean Al Qaeda operatives and commanders from outside Pakistan."

US Army Deserter Ordered Deported From Canada
http://www.truthout.org/article/us-army-deserter-ordered-deported-from-canada
The Canadian Press: "One of the first U.S. army deserters to seek refugee status in Canada rather than serve in Iraq was ordered deported Wednesday. Jeremy Hinzman, along with his wife, son and a new baby, have been ordered by the Canada Border Services Agency to leave by Sept. 23."

Katrina vanden Heuvel A Frozen Katrina
http://www.truthout.org/article/a-frozen-katrina
Katrina vanden Heuvel, The Nation: "As John McCain and the Republicans trumpet their election year boldfaced lie-drill now so we can lower prices at the pump today-they continue to ignore a looming energy disaster with lives hanging in the balance. Currently, eight million homes rely on heating oil during the winter months, and last winter’s prices forced too many citizens to choose between heat, food, and medicine."

Three Western Female Aid Workers Shot Dead in Afghanistan
http://www.truthout.org/article/three-western-female-aid-workers-shot-dead-afghanistan
Agence France-Presse: "Three Western women aid workers and their Afghan driver were shot dead by gunmen who fired numerous times into their vehicle near the capital Kabul, Afghan police and their organisation said. The killings Wednesday, claimed by the insurgent Taliban, are the deadliest in years involving international aid workers and come amid warnings about deteriorating security, said to be at its worst since the 2001 ouster of the Taliban regime."