Georgia signs cease-fire agreement

UPDATED:

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said Friday he has signed a cease-fire agreement with Russia that protects the former Soviet republic’s interests despite some concessions to Moscow. Visiting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Russia’s invasion has “profound implications” for the West.

Appearing at a news conference with Rice, Saakashvili said he will “never, ever surrender” in showdown with Russia, and he accused the West of inviting Russian aggression. He appeared just hours after President Bush stood outside the Oval Office of the White House and accused Russia of “bullying and intimidation” against Georgia. Bush said the Georgian people had chosen freedom and “we will not cast them aside.”

For his part, Saakashvili said: “This is not a done deal. We need to do our utmost to deter such behavior in the future.”

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Rice noted that Saakashvili had signed the draft truce agreement, said it protects his country’s interests and said all Russian troops “must leave immediately.

“With this signature by Georgia, this must take place and take place now,” she said.

At one point, the beleaguered Georgian leader said: “Sorry for these emotions. But I feel emotion.”

Rice said the time has come “to begin a discussion of the consequences of what Russia has done. This calls into question what role Russia really plans to play in international politics.