US President George W. Bush pressed Russia on Monday to end its military action in Georgia, warning a “dramatic and brutal escalation” of Moscow's push into the smaller country would jeopardize its relations with the West. Bush said Russia must respect Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, accept Georgia's truce and return to the military status quo as of Aug. 6. Bush said it appeared Moscow was trying to overthrow the elected government of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, a close US ally. “Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century,” Bush told reporters at the White House. “I am deeply concerned by reports that Russian troops have moved beyond the zone of conflict, attacked the Georgian town of Gori and are threatening Georgia's capital of Tbilisi,” he said. “ There is evidence that Russian forces may soon begin bombing the civilian airport in the capital city. If these reports are accurate, these Russian actions would represent a dramatic and brutal escalation of the conflict in Georgia.” __
