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Cameron: Curb Russian aggression | Cameron: Curb Russian aggression |
(41 minutes later) | |
Conservative leader David Cameron has strongly criticised Russia for its military action in Georgia. | Conservative leader David Cameron has strongly criticised Russia for its military action in Georgia. |
He told a news conference that Britain and the West should be doing more to prevent Russian aggression. | He told a news conference that Britain and the West should be doing more to prevent Russian aggression. |
"If you leave aggression to go unchecked you only store up graver problems for the future," the Tory leader warned. | "If you leave aggression to go unchecked you only store up graver problems for the future," the Tory leader warned. |
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered an end to military operations against Georgia, the Kremlin says. | Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered an end to military operations against Georgia, the Kremlin says. |
He told officials he had taken the decision to end the campaign after restoring security for civilians and peacekeepers in the disputed region of South Ossetia. | He told officials he had taken the decision to end the campaign after restoring security for civilians and peacekeepers in the disputed region of South Ossetia. |
'Bullying' | 'Bullying' |
However, Russia has been highly critical of Georgia's leadership, and there were no signs of imminent talks. | However, Russia has been highly critical of Georgia's leadership, and there were no signs of imminent talks. |
Before the announcement, there were fresh reports of Russian warplanes bombing the Georgian town of Gori. | Before the announcement, there were fresh reports of Russian warplanes bombing the Georgian town of Gori. |
This is a dangerous doctrine with worrying echoes from the darkest chapters of European history David CameronConservative leader | This is a dangerous doctrine with worrying echoes from the darkest chapters of European history David CameronConservative leader |
Mr Cameron has urged the international community to stand up to what he has described as Russia's "bullying" of a smaller country. | Mr Cameron has urged the international community to stand up to what he has described as Russia's "bullying" of a smaller country. |
"Russia has used massive and disproportionate force against an independent and sovereign democracy," he said. | "Russia has used massive and disproportionate force against an independent and sovereign democracy," he said. |
"This is completely unacceptable under international law and we and our allies must not beat around the bush in condemning Russia very clearly. | "This is completely unacceptable under international law and we and our allies must not beat around the bush in condemning Russia very clearly. |
"It looks increasingly as if Russia intends to topple the elected government of Georgia and to try and cripple that country. | "It looks increasingly as if Russia intends to topple the elected government of Georgia and to try and cripple that country. |
"Russia is sending a clear message to the countries of the former Soviet Union that you only enjoy limited sovereignty and you cannot behave in ways Moscow disapproves of." | "Russia is sending a clear message to the countries of the former Soviet Union that you only enjoy limited sovereignty and you cannot behave in ways Moscow disapproves of." |
'No justification' | 'No justification' |
Speaking at his summer press conference in Westminster, Mr Cameron added: "Today Russia says it is fighting in defence of Russian citizens in South Ossetia - who will it be defending tomorrow? Russians in the Ukraine? Russians in the Baltic states? Russians in Central Asia? | Speaking at his summer press conference in Westminster, Mr Cameron added: "Today Russia says it is fighting in defence of Russian citizens in South Ossetia - who will it be defending tomorrow? Russians in the Ukraine? Russians in the Baltic states? Russians in Central Asia? |
"This is a dangerous doctrine with worrying echoes from the darkest chapters of European history." | "This is a dangerous doctrine with worrying echoes from the darkest chapters of European history." |
He called on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to step up diplomatic pressure on Russia over its actions. | He called on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to step up diplomatic pressure on Russia over its actions. |
And he revealed he had spoken to Republican Presidential candidate John McCain and the Polish prime minister about the issue. | |
He suggested a debate on the crisis at the UN General Assembly, suspension of UK visas for some Russian nationals and possible suspension of Russian membership of G8. | He suggested a debate on the crisis at the UN General Assembly, suspension of UK visas for some Russian nationals and possible suspension of Russian membership of G8. |
He also urged a clear timetable for Georgian membership of NATO. | He also urged a clear timetable for Georgian membership of NATO. |
On Monday, Mr Brown said there was "no justification" for Russia's military action in Georgia. | On Monday, Mr Brown said there was "no justification" for Russia's military action in Georgia. |
He said the intervention "threatens the stability of the entire region and risks a humanitarian catastrophe". | He said the intervention "threatens the stability of the entire region and risks a humanitarian catastrophe". |
"There is a clear responsibility on the Russian government to bring this conflict quickly to an end," he said. | "There is a clear responsibility on the Russian government to bring this conflict quickly to an end," he said. |
Mr Brown has held discussions with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in recent days. | Mr Brown has held discussions with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in recent days. |
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has also held talks with G7 and EU foreign ministers. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband has also held talks with G7 and EU foreign ministers. |
Amnesty International has called on Georgia and Russia to provide safe passage to people fleeing from the conflict and allow unimpeded access to humanitarian relief to those in affected areas. | Amnesty International has called on Georgia and Russia to provide safe passage to people fleeing from the conflict and allow unimpeded access to humanitarian relief to those in affected areas. |