A showdown of words at the U.N.

Last update: August 11, 2008 - 12:23 AM

A SHOWDOWN OF WORDS AT THE U.N.

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad exchanged sharp words with the Russian ambassador at the United Nations on Sunday, accusing Moscow of seeking "regime change" in Georgia and resisting attempts to make peace after days of fighting left hundreds of civilians dead.

Khalilzad disclosed during a U.N. Security Council session that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Sunday morning that the "democratically elected president of Georgia -- and I quote -- must go."

Khalilzad said, "This is totally unacceptable and crosses the line."

GEORGIANS ASK: WHERE ARE OUR FRIENDS?

In retreat from South Ossetia, the Georgian soldiers were so tired they could not keep from stumbling. Their arms were loaded with rucksacks and ammunition boxes; they had dark circles under their eyes. Officers ran up and down the line, barking for them to go faster.

As a column of soldiers passed through Gori, a black-robed priest came out of his church and made the sign of the cross again and again.

"We killed as many of them as we could," one soldier said. "But where are our friends?"

It was the question of the day. When they met Western journalists, they all said the same thing. Where is the United States? When is NATO coming?

TROOPS GET U.S. ESCORT BACK HOME FROM IRAQ

The U.S. military began flying 2,000 Georgian troops home from Iraq on Sunday, military officials said, after the Georgians recalled the soldiers following the outbreak of fighting with Russia in South Ossetia.

"We want to thank them for the great support they've given the coalition and we wish them well," military spokesman Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll said earlier Sunday at a news conference.

MILITARY MATCHUP:DAVID VS. GOLIATH

The size of Russian and Georgian armed forces:

Money: Russia's military budget is equivalent to about $40 billion this year, compared with Georgia's $997 million.

Manpower: Russia has 1.1 million soldiers; Georgia has 37,000.

Arsenals: Russia has about 6,000 tanks and 1,700 combat aircraft. Georgia has 230 tanks and 12 combat aircraft.

UKRAINE SENDS STERN WARNING TO RUSSIA

Ukraine warned Russia it could bar Russian navy ships from returning to their base in the Crimea because of their deployment to Georgia's coast, saying the activities had the potential of drawing Ukraine into the conflict.

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