The United States rejected Russian criticism on Friday, insisting that it is sending humanitarian aid to Georgia.
"We certainly reject the Russian charges," deputy State Department spokesman Robert Wood said of Russia criticism about U.S. sending the Mount Whitney, the flagship of the U.S. navy's Sixth Fleet, to the port of Poti, Georgia.
"It's bringing humanitarian supplies, such as, I believe 4,000 blankets, juice, diapers, hygiene products. There's absolutely no foundation to this Russian charge," Wood told reporters.
The USS Mount Whitney arrived at Georgia's Black Sea port of Poti Friday with more than 17 tons of relief supplies, including blankets, juices, powdered milk and hygiene products, the U.S. embassy in Tbilisi said.
The USS Mount Whitney, a sophisticated command warship based in Italy, is the third U.S. vessel transporting humanitarian aid to Georgia after its military conflict with Russia.
The two previous vessels -- the USS McFaul and U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas -- had come and gone bringing relief supplies. They anchored off Batumi, another Black Sea port south of Poti.
On Friday, Russia voiced its concern over U.S. action to send "the number one ship of its type in the U.S. Navy" to Georgia.
"Naval ships of that class can hardly deliver a large amount of aid. Such ships of course have a hold for keeping provisions for the crew and items needed for sailing. How many dozens of tons of aid can a ship of that type deliver?" Andrei Nesterenko, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry asked at a press conference in Moscow.
The United States has provided nearly 30 million U.S. dollars in aid to Georgia since its recent conflict with Russia, including 1,200 tons of food and other relief supplies, according to the White House.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article