U.S. says Russia dragging feet on Georgia pullout

By Tabassum Zakaria

ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - Russia's withdrawal from Georgia must move more quickly, the United States said on Wednesday, dismissing Moscow's initial steps to pull troops out as insignificant.

"We are beginning to see the early signs of some withdrawal," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters. "It is not significant and it needs to increase. Both the size and pace of the withdrawal needs to increase and needs to increase sooner rather than later.

"I don't think they need anymore additional time."

Johndroe said Moscow, which has been a key U.S. partner in trying to convince Iran and North Korea to give up their nuclear programs, was risking its standing in the international community with its actions in Georgia.

Russia already has felt some repercussions, Johndroe said, citing Poland's agreement to host part of U.S. missile defense system for Europe over Moscow's strong opposition.

"We have wanted Russia to be a part of the greater international community," Johndroe told reporters. "Russia is making a decision and we certainly hope that it's not a long-term strategic decision but Russia's making a decision that's only isolating itself."

In a speech to U.S. war veterans, U.S. President George W. Bush said the United States would continue its support for Georgia, which for years has been trying to hang on to the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

"South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia," Bush said to the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention. "The United States will work with our allies to ensure Georgia's independence and territorial integrity."

Conflict between Georgia and Russia erupted when Georgia tried to reimpose control over the breakaway, pro-Russian South Ossetia region on August 7-8. Russia responded with a massive counter-attack that overwhelmed Georgian forces.

Russia then moved troops beyond South Ossetia and a second separatist region, Abkhazia, and into Georgian territory.

The United States repeatedly has condemned Russia's response, saying Moscow went too far. U.S. officials also have voiced frustration that Russia promised to remove troops under a French-brokered ceasefire but have not done so.

Further irking Washington was Russian troops' seizure of several U.S. military vehicles, including Humvees, that had been in the country to help train Georgian troops deploying to help with the Iraq war.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said discussions between U.S. and Russian officials about the equipment taken by Russian troops were "unresolved."

He said the equipment included a number of Humvee vehicles but he declined to give a precise figure. He said he had no information to suggest there was any particularly valuable or sensitive technology among the equipment.

"We've indicated that that equipment should not have been moved or removed," he said.  Continued...