(5 Sep 2008) SHOTLIST
Poti, Western Georgia
1. US flag on small US naval cruiser docked in Poti
2. Wide of small US naval cruiser docked in Poti Port
3. Close of USS Mount Whitney life ring
4. Mid of two US naval officers onboard small US naval cruiser
5. Mid of other US naval personnel on board
6. Close of Georgian residents watching American's dock
7. Various of Georgian security soldiers at Poti port checkpoint
8. Various of Georgian security soldier holding gun
9. Wide of US Naval Sixth Fleet flagship, the USS Mount Whitney, in the Black Sea, off Poti, Georgia.
10. Mid of USS Mount Whitney with small craft around her
11. Zoom out from USS Mount Whitney to Poti shoreline
Moscow, Russia
12. Wide of entrance to Russian news agency RIA Novosti building
13. Mid of Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko walking into news conference
14. Cutaway of reporters at news conference
15. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Andrei Nesterenko, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman:
"Once again we have heard the bravura rhetoric about Washington's comprehensive support of the - I quote - "brave and young democracy" (of Georgia). Such statements, and, first of all the new promises (by the US) to Tbilisi regarding its quick NATO membership, do nothing but strengthen the dangerous feeling of impunity of Mr. Saakashvili's regime and encourage its aggressive ambitions."
16. Close of media at news conference
17. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Andrei Nesterenko, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman:
"Everything (situation with the US Naval ships in Georgian port of Poti) should be decided here within the framework of the proceedings set by international legislation. So, if the facts of the major violation of the convention are verified, we will take corresponding steps to improve the situation. But there is no talk of possible military action or something of that kind."
18. Wide of media at news conference
Poti, Western Georgia
19. Mid of Georgian flag
20. Wide of men walking
21. Mayor of Poti, Ivane Saginadze, pointing to map
22. SOUNDBITE: (Georgian) Ivane Saginadze, Mayor of Poti:
"It is not only humanitarian support but military and political support as well and the American President said the same thing. Of course the ship will leave, but they will remain in the Black Sea."
23. Close-up photograph of Georgian President, Mikhail Saakashvili
STORYLINE:
The flagship of the US Navy's Mediterranean fleet anchored outside the key Georgian port of Poti on Friday, bringing in tons of humanitarian aid to a port still partially occupied by hundreds of Russian troops.
A small naval cruiser from the ship later docked in port carrying a group of US naval officers and personnel.
Although Russia has watched the arrival of the USS Mount Whitney and other US ships in recent weeks with deep suspicion, a Foreign Ministry official said Russia does not plan any military action to the US naval presence in the Black Sea.
The Whitney was the first Navy ship to travel to Poti since Georgia fought a short war with Russia last month.
The ship anchored just offshore from the port, according to harbour master Vakhtang Tavberidze.
Two US ships have already come and gone from Georgia carrying humanitarian aid in recent weeks, but they anchored at a smaller port, Batumi, to the south.
US military officials have said the Mount Whitney, like the other ships, was bringing humanitarian aid for Georgians, including blankets, powdered milk and sanitising equipment.
Russia had signalled to US officials that it would not impede the ship's movement.
But he said the move encouraged Georgia's "aggressive ambitions".
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