TBILISI, Georgia // The US vice president Dick Cheney has condemned Russia for what he called an "illegitimate, unilateral attempt" to redraw Georgia's borders by force. Speaking during a closely watched trip to the strategic South Caucasus nation, Mr Cheney also said the United States was "fully committed" to Georgian efforts to join Nato. "Georgia will be in our alliance," he told reporters while standing alongside the Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili.
A longtime critic of Russia, Mr Cheney was visiting Georgia and two other ex-Soviet republics - Azerbaijan and Ukraine - that are nervous about Moscow's intentions. The trip signalled to Moscow that the US will continue cultivating close ties with Georgia and its neighbours even after Russia showed it was willing to use military force against countries along its border. "America will do its duty to work with the governments of Georgia and our other friends and allies to protect our common interests and to uphold our values," Mr Cheney said in the joint appearance with President Saakashvili.
"Russia's actions have cast grave doubts on Russia's intentions and on its reliability as an international partner," he added. Since the war in Georgia last month, Russia has boldly asserted it has what the Russian president Dmitry Medvedev called "privileged interests" in its sphere of influence, which includes the former Soviet states in the South Caucasus. The US is at Georgia's side, Mr Cheney said, "as you work to overcome an invasion of your sovereign territory and an illegitimate, unilateral attempt to change your country's borders by force, that has been universally condemned by the free world."
On the eve of his arrival, the White House announced a US$1 billion (Dh3.6bn) commitment to help the small but strategically located nation recover from its war with Russia. Mr Cheney also thanked Georgia for sending troops to Iraq. Georgia has been the third largest contributor of troops to the US-led operation there. "Now it is the responsibility of the free world to rally to the side of Georgia," the American vice president added.
Mr Saakashvili said Georgia was committed to a peaceful resolution of its disputes with the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia, which has given military, political and financial support to the two areas, has recognised both as independent nations. Mr Saakashvili also said Georgia was grateful for the aid, which matched his government's estimate of war damages. "Together with our other partners, in Europe, America and elsewhere, we will rebuild Georgia," Mr Saakashvili said. "We feel that we are not alone."
Mr Medvedev has called Mr Saakashvili a "political corpse" and Moscow has urged an arms ban while he is still in power. Cheney, however, signalled Washington's continuing strong support. "You have been fearless in response to the occupation of your country and steadfast in your principles. We respect you," Mr Cheney told the Georgian president. *AP
