This action of Russia indicates two things. They have taken severe losses of personnel and the cost of attacking the defensive position of the Georgian defending the road to Tbilisi is high.

The second cost is the international pressure and the indication that the US would act. I read Bush’s statement with the word “must ” emphasized. Bush left China and was putting together action plans. I still want to know what assets were moved to the Med and the Straits and the German minister was now talking that Georgia and Ukraine ought to reapply to NATO. Taking Tbilisi today was too risky with Estonia, Latvia ministers going to Tbilisi, so the Russian stand down in place.

Georgia has won the world PR war, but Russian has done severe damage to the port city of Poti and occupies the country. Russia has not indicated they will withdraw. Until the actually do so the Georgian should stay strong in defense and fight if the Russian move forward.

Russian can easily use a cease fire to move ahead and scream the Georgia has violated if the defend their position I have heard that Russian is still taking out communication towers and cell towers. So Russian forces are still active but halted the offensive land drive. Russian will claim the victory but Georgians must not stand down until a withdrawal

Russia demands that Georgia be demilitarized must be refused. They have every reason to increase their ability to defend their territory. Also Russia is calling for Saakashvili to be removed.

Russia also tried to bomb the BCZ pipeline again.

Georgia must keep all defensive position and not be suckered out with the Russia ploy on the world’s stage. Russia is now going to try to consolidate gains and win the PR war with allege Georgian atrocities in the shelling of S. Ossetia.

Georgia gained breathing room only at this point.